Students at University of Hawaiʻi campuses will soon have a new opportunity for academic and professional certification through micro-credentials offered through the university. Through a new UH policy, faculty members can now design micro-credentials linked to existing credit courses to target specific areas in their fields of study.
“This new micro-credentials policy will enable interested faculty members to partner with local employers—whether they be businesses, non-profit organizations, or other state agencies—to design and deliver a short-term curriculum that addresses immediate industry needs,” said UH Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Policy Alan Rosenfeld.
Unlike traditional degrees and certificates, micro-credentials are incremental and can be accumulated over time, providing learners with the flexibility to adapt their education to their career goals and market demands. They are designed to be shorter in duration, digitally badged, and to focus on specific skill sets that are highly relevant in today’s rapidly changing job market.
Wide range of possibilities
In a May 2024 survey, UH faculty shared a wide range of ideas for new micro-credentials including AI, cybersecurity, and computer programming languages; child care and elder care; payroll accounting, tax preparation, and tax research; grant writing and project management; Hawaiian culture-based teaching practices, Hawaiʻi Sign Language, trauma-informed care, and many others.
“When developed in partnership with employers and industry experts, micro-credentials can be a valuable add-on to a traditional degree program at any level, and make our graduates more competitive in the job market,” added UH System Director of Workforce Development Christine Beaule.
In addition to enhancing UH student skills and qualifications, micro-credentials have the potential to reach Hawaiʻi’s full-time workers who are not currently enrolled at the university.
“Many of Hawaiʻi‘s working adults will not have the time or financial wherewithal to invest in an 18-credit certificate, let alone an entire degree program,” said Rosenfeld. “The availability of micro-credentials will allow them to upskill or re-skill relatively quickly, without taking a break from full-time employment.”
Faculty members who would like to incorporate micro-credentials into their programs and courses, can start with the UH Micro-Credentials Implementation Checklist. For more information, faculty can contact Christine Beaule (beaule@hawaii.edu).
Micro-credentials were included in the UH Strategic Plan 2023–2029 as part of the workforce needs imperative.
