The Power of SUNY Microcredentials

May 2025

�Cynthia Proctor

Director of Communications & Academic Policy Development

Office of the Provost

SUNY System Administration�

Website: www.suny.edu/microcredentials

Email: cynthia.proctor@suny.edu

​

64 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Offering Microcredentials

Other SUNY Colleges and Universities

Empire State College has locations throughout New York State

*

In progress to offer Microcredentials

SUNY Canton

North Country �Community College

SUNY

Jefferson

SUNY Adirondack

SUNY Empire*

Upstate Medical University

SUNY Schenectady

Hudson Valley

Community College

University at

Albany

SUNY Cobleskill

Columbia-Green

Community College

SUNY Ulster

Dutchess

Community College

SUNY New Paltz

SUNY Rockland

Old Westbury

Farmingdale

College of Optometry

Binghamton

University

SUNY Broome

Tompkins Cortland

Corning

Community College

SUNY

Geneseo

Cayuga

Community College

Monroe Community College

Niagara County

Community College

University of Buffalo

Genesee

Community

College

SUNY Morrisville

Mohawk Valley

Community College

Fulton-Montgomery

Community College

SUNY Potsdam

Clinton Community

College

SUNY Plattsburgh

SUNY Poly

SUNY Oswego

SUNY Brockport

SUNY Fredonia

Finger Lakes

Community

College

Jamestown

Community College

Alfred State College

NYS College of Ceramics

New York State…

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

College of Human Ecology

College of Veterinary Medicine

School of Industrial & Labor Relations

…at Cornell University

SUNY ESF

SUNY Delhi

SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Sullivan

SUNY Orange

Stony Brook University

Suffolk County Community College

SUNY Nassau

SUNY Downstate Medical Center

Purchase

College

SUNY Westchester

Fashion Institute�of Technology

Maritime College

Buffalo State College

Erie Community College

Onondaga

Community College

Herkimer County Community College

SUNY Cortland

500+ Microcredentials in 20+ Areas at 52 Campuses

What is a SUNY Microcredential?

• Academic credential taught by SUNY faculty
• Smaller than certificates or degrees
• Can be completed in months, not years
• Empowers learners with in-demand skills, know-how and experience
1. CAREER FOCUSED:

Help current students stand-out in a competitive marketplace;

Upskill existing professionals with specialized skills needed to keep pace or advance; and

Provide a pathway to or back to college for adult learners.

2) PATHWAY TO A DEGREE: �Award academic credit that meets the credit requirements of a certificate, initial or advanced degree

3

www.suny.edu/microcredentials

What Does a SUNY Microcredential Look Like?

• A SUNY microcredential can vary in size, but should be substantial enough to give a learner a jump-start on a degree:
• Two classes
• Three classes + an internship
• A microcredential series – beginner, intermediate, and advanced
• Microcredentials can also fulfill the required educational component of an apprenticeship (Journeyworker credential, college microcredential, academic credit toward a degree)
• Three classes + preparation to earn an industry certification

4

www.suny.edu/microcredentials

Unbundling of Degrees?

Examples to demonstrate level of detail needed for new webpages.

Science of Learning

Examples of some microcredential innovation underway in Educator Preparation.

​

Note, cost of New Paltz SoR microcredential is underwritten by a philanthropic donation.

Observation: Geneseo identified popular electives could be good starting points for microcredential development.

SUNY’s Policy Driven Approach

INDUSTRY / PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

• Approved by Faculty Governance
• In-Demand Skills, Knowledge and Experience
• Learning Outcomes
• Assessments
• Student Work Product
• SUNY Global ID
• Credit for Prior Learning

• Developed in Partnership �with Industry
• Industry/Professional Certifications
• Internships
• Education Component of Apprenticeships

• Endorsed by the Institution
• Transcripted
• Digital Badge
• Covered Under SUNY Seamless Transfer Policy

SUNY-Specific Microcredential Definition

www.suny.edu/microcredentials

HIGH QUALITY

PORTABLE

• Existing Students
• SUNY Employees & Alumni
• Business/Industry
• Adult Learners
• State Agencies
• P-12 School Districts
• Community Organizations

MULTIPLE AUDIENCES

• Career-Ready Skills
• Pathways to:
• Other Microcredentials
• Certificates
• Initial Degree
• Advanced / Professional Degrees

STACKABLE

Opportunities & Challenges

NYS Virtual Career Center

Part-time TAP for Non-Degree Credentials

State Agency Interest in Microcredentials

Access to Request Info/Register

Funding for Microcredential Completion

Effective Spring 2024: Part-Time TAP for Eligible Non-Degree Credentials at �State’s Two Public University Systems (SUNY and CUNY)

1. Aligned with NYSDOL Significant Industry Reports
2. Applies to Community Colleges and Technology Colleges

3) Applies to Credit & Non-Credit Microcredentials

10

NYS net taxable income cannot exceed $125,000 for dependent students; $60,000 for married students with no dependents; $30,000 for independent single students with no dependents

​

Educational Assistance Program - Cares act of 2020�Tax Incentive for Employers to Support Employee Education �(business need to check with their tax preparers for eligibility)

WIOA funding through One-Stop Career Centers �and local workforce investment boards

County, State and Federal Grants

• National certification from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP): DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III
• Successful completion leads to 1) SUNY microcredentials, 2) one or more national certifications, and 3) college credit toward a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree
• Grant funding for this initiative covers tuition, fees, books, course materials, NADSP credentialing for students and educational supports
• Students receive a $750 stipend when they complete each microcredential and earn a certification

21 Campuses Participating!�Community Colleges, Technology Colleges, Comprehensive Colleges

http://www.suny.edu/microcredentials/dsp

SUNY Partnership with OPWDD

Microcredential Design for Currently Enrolled Students

Must be a Value Add

Think 1-2 Semesters & Immediate Recognition

• Latest and greatest in the field
• Complex skills
• Distinct skills your program offers that others don’t or that are in demand
• Complementary skill sets
• A resume stand out
• **Develop in partnership with industry – Must fit a market need**

• If courses in the microcredential are only offered every fall…its not a microcredential
• Use to motivate students to persist
• Real-time recognition so students can get a better aligned summer job, internship, prepare for grad school

Microcredential Design for Non-Matriculated Students

Define Audience

Engage Business & Industry and Agency Partners

• Alumni
• Upskilling for Existing Workforce; Building Business/Industry Partnership
• Bridge to Higher Education from Community Colleges
• Bridge to Higher Education for Unemployed/Underemployed
• State & County Agencies

• Focus Groups
• Advisory Boards
• Business that are Hiring
• Best Practices: Share Pre-Development Outline, Strong Draft

Engage Alumni

No Matter the Audience, Verify Market Demand

• Surveys
• Focus Groups

• Remember Letters of Support for WIOA Funding

Microcredential Design for Non-Matriculated Students (Continued)

Must be a Value Add

Think 1-2 Semesters �& Immediate Recognition

• Think about “getting a job” and “advancing in a job”
• Identify concrete skills
• Define microcredential learning outcomes
• A course may need to be created or modified
• Embed internships
• Embed industry certification
• Ensure students have a path to a degree wherever possible

• If courses in the microcredential are only offered every fall…its not a microcredential
• Use to motivate students to persist
• Real-time recognition to use for a better summer job, internship, prepare for grad school
• The bigger the microcredential, the higher the cost; consider a series

Adult Learners

• Avoid unnecessary steps; a microcredential application
• Consider small microcredentials to start; part-time
• Start with what they know
• If courses in the microcredential are only offered every fall…its not a microcredential
• Pathways to the bachelor’s and master’s

Microcredential Design for Non-Matriculated Students (Continued)

See What Other SUNY Campuses are Doing

Look at Coursera, EdX

Look at Microcredentials for Current Students

Microcredentials for existing students may be a fit! Check for any needed �modification and provide clear messaging

Respond to Emerging Industries

Develop in Partnership with Industry

Ideas for Consideration

Chamber of Commerce

Economic Development Councils

Employers

Asking Campuses to Review Programs

• Review all for ability to “stand-alone” – think about getting a job or advancing in a job
• Review time to complete – generally 1 semester, 2 semesters max
• Review size – 6 credits + internship; 9 credits + industry certification
• Do webpages answer key questions?
• MUST have a Request for Information Form.
• MUST have a link to register.
• Are you collecting and reporting data? Plans for assessment?

​