Micro-credentials

What is a Micro-credential or Badge?

A Micro-credential, also known as a Badge, is awarded upon successful completion of requirements for defined competencies. The badge can be shared electronically in your teaching portfolio, social media, and professional networks.

What Badges are available at UCCS?

In addition to the badges issued by the FRC for its Instructional Development Programs, UCCS offers other badges as well. View all badges available at UCCS.

How do I create a Badge?

Preliminary research will save you time in the long run.

• Identify existing micro-credentials/digital badges.
• Assess employer demand for your proposed micro-credential.
• Review "What is badge metadata?" to learn what you’ll need for your badge. View the "Quality metadata" video to guide your process.
• Define the specific skills acquired by learners, the methods used to assess these skills, and the keywords that denote them.

Then follow these steps:

1. Once you have the necessary metadata, fill out the Micro-credential Intent Form. You will need the following information:
   1. Badge Name
   2. A 500-character Badge Description (e.g., "The learner will be able to...")
   3. Skills (list 6 to 10 that the badge earner achieved)
   4. Assessment criteria/threshold (i.e., what must be completed to achieve the badge)
   5. Achievement Type (Experience, Learning, Validation, Certification - Industry Recognized)
   6. Mastery Level (Foundational, Intermediate, Advanced)
   7. Time Commitment (Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, Years)
   8. Cost (Free, Paid)
   9. URL to a page with additional information (optional)
   10. Chair signature
2. Send the completed MC Intent Form to Janice Thorpe.
   1. If required, make any necessary revisions and resend to Janice Thorpe.
3. MC Intent Form will be presented to the Campus Curriculum Committee as an informational item for feedback.
4. Pending committee review, you will be notified when to proceed with badge design and implementation.
   1. Contact Gabby Hensley to create your Digital Badge.
   2. Schedule an appointment with Brandon Poulliot to set up your assessments for the Badge.
5. Add Badge information to your department/unit website.

Overview

The CU System (including all four campuses) is one of only nine Higher Ed institutions invited to provide Google professional certificates (via the Coursera platform) at no cost to our students.  This limited-time, limited-seat partnership represents our commitment to providing practical learning experiences that directly enhance our students' employability and career readiness.

The Certificate/Focus Areas are listed below:

Grow with Google licenses will be released on a first come, first serve basis until all 500 seats have been allocated.

If you’d like to integrate Grow with Google Content into a Course and request learner licenses:

Ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You are a full-time or part-time faculty member.
• Your course is scheduled for FA25.
• The integration aligns with the course objectives and enhances student learning outcomes.
• You attended the Grow with Google Orientation workshop
• You commit to submitting a report that includes: 1) Student feedback, 2) your feedback on the integration process, 3) and recommendations for future improvements.

Send the following information to Janice Thorpe – Deadline July 15 (2025)

• Your Name
• Course Title
• Course Number
• Modality
• Access Start and End dates
• Number of Students Enrolled

Fifteen $500 stipends are available to faculty to pilot this effort for a Fa25 course.

To apply for a stipend, please download a fill out this request and send it to Janice Thorpe.  Requests will be evaluated using the Stipend Request Evaluation Rubric.

Questions: Janice Thorpe