ABERDEEN, S.D. – Micro-credentials are having a major impact—and they’re coming to о State University this spring.
What are micro-credentials? They're a learn-at-your-own-pace, non-credit bearing form of certification in a skill-based learning model. Completing a course earns you a digital badge—which is instantly shareable and embedded with metadata, helping you get noticed.
Micro-credentials offer a more personalized, on-demand learning experience than full-length courses, said Joshua Citrak, NSU Director of Innovator Empowerment.
“Unlike traditional degrees, which take years to complete, micro-credentials can be completed in weeks or even days,” said Citrak, who is leading this initiative at о. “They don’t take the place of о’s traditional course load, they enhance and broaden your learning experience and offer a low-risk, high-reward for exploring areas you might be interested in but aren’t within your major.”
Citrak is working with NSU faculty and staff to create courses on a range of topics. Students who complete the free courses will be able to share their badges on social media—such as the career-based LinkedIn—as proof of competency to employers and recruiters.
Micro-credential badges slated to be offered later this semester include:
• “Think Like a Hacker,” step one in completing your Digital Passport, which explores the power of AI and Intelligent Systems in a non-intimidating, no-code way.
• “Networking Glow Up,” which is a learn-by-doing exercise to getting your LinkedIn profile professional and noticed by the right people and your network working for you.
For more information, visit о’s Digital Badging webpage, or contact Citrak at empowering.innovators@northern.edu or 605-626-2108.
About о State University
о State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, о offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. о also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the о Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU о.