Microdegree

In higher education a microdegree also micro degree and micro masters is a credential focused upon a specified professional or career discipline and typically comprises one or more sources of accelerated educational experiences. Microdegrees are a single manifestation of Competency Based Education (CBE) which seeks to tie credentialing to specific skills sets.^[1]

Microcredentials including Microdegrees act as a pointer to the criteria for and demonstration of the skills represented by the microcredential. Because the credentials are presented in a digital format, they can be parsed automatically for verification over the web and allow for a greater level of granularity than a traditional paper transcript. Microdegrees meet the criteria for Open Educational Data defined by the U.S. Department of Education.^[2]

Within the hierarchy of educational credentials microdegrees are considered to be "certificates" requiring a lower level of commitment and rigor than a traditional degree program but serving an important role as a vocational credential.^[3][4]

The advent of the microdegree is presented by its promoters as a challenge to the existing degree model as it permits students to utilize accelerated, free and low cost programs to earn credentials of direct relevance to their interests and career ambitions.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Microdegrees and other Microcredentials are also seen as a system to facilitate and record lifelong learning.^[10] A significant percentage of Microdegree students are working adults seeking career change or advancement.^[11]

Some institutions that offer Microdegree programs describe themselves as a "Micro College".^[12][13][14]

References