Microcredentials at MC
The College is pleased to offer program, unit, and discipline areas the opportunity to create microcredentials. Microcredentials, also known as “badges,” are ways of certifying that a list of specific competencies or skills has been achieved. They represent the mastery of certain skill sets that build up to a certificate or credential; these skills should be relevant and of value to employers. Suitable for credit and workforce development students and Montgomery College employees, micro-credentials should align to other available credentials and help demonstrate that the person has learned new skills or competencies that underpin a career and academic pathway.
Once a student or employee has achieved the relevant competencies, the microcredential is awarded through a digital platform. The credential is represented by a badge icon that can be inserted into a resume or online profile. Clicking on the badge icon leads the reader to the list of competencies that the individual has achieved. Employers, potential employers, faculty, and colleagues can then see exactly what skills the person has achieved and how they went about demonstrating competence.
Submit a microcredential proposal. (PDF, 
)
Students and employees currently affiliated with the College and with a valid M# are eligible to earn badges.
The Antiracist Badge - Office of Equity and Inclusion at Montgomery College (PDF, )
This micro-credential covers competencies in the areas of: Self-Awareness (What is
your role in racism?), Self-Education (What knowledge do you need to act as an antiracist?),
and Action (How can you practice Antiracism?)
The Career Readiness Badge Rubric - General Education (PDF, )
This badge proves the earner can articulate thoughts clearly, engage in professional
communication, exhibit leadership and teamwork, apply critical thinking and problem-solving
skills, and understand diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. It showcases the
student's comprehensive development through various General Education activities and
assignments. Students can qualify for the badge after taking five General Education
courses in three different foundations, distributions, GEIR, or GEEL areas.
The Changemaker Badge - Southern Management Leadership Program at Montgomery College (PDF, )
The Changemaker Badge recognizes the work of students who are engaged in social and
environmental justice learning and actions that align with the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals.
The Citizen Science Badge Rubric - Education and Psychology Department (PDF, )
This badge validates a demonstration of the development of scientific literacy and
research skills through "hands-on" experience with citizen science research projects.
The Commitment Badge Rubric – Transfer Academy (PDF, )
The Commitment Badge validates the work of students who persist in their educational
and career goals, particularly in their successful transfer to a 4-year institution.
The badge recognizes the competencies of organizational navigation, adaptability,
resilience, and initiative.
The Communicator Badge Rubric - Macklin Business Institute at Montgomery College (PDF, )
The Communicator Badge validates that the earner has demonstrated ability to articulate
thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and/or oral forms.
The Creative Collaborator Badge Rubric -Visual, Performing, and Media Arts (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated that they are able to achieve
creative goals as part of a team.
The Creative Writing Badge - English and Reading at Montgomery College (PDF, )
Earning this microcredential will demonstrate your ability to articulate innovative
thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms.
The Critical Analysis Badge - English and Reading at Montgomery College (PDF, )
When you complete this microcredential, you will demonstrate your analysis, understanding,
and communications with an audience.
The Culture Conscious Business Badge Rubric - Workforce Development and Continuing
Education (PDF, )
This badge validates that earners have demonstrated cultural competencies needed to
navigate the complexities of diversity and differences in modern organizations.
The Emotional Intelligence Badge Rubric - Office of Student Life & Academic Initiatives (PDF, ) This badge focuses on enhancing college students’ capabilities in key areas. The cohort
program aims to instruct students on how to effectively identify and manage their
emotions, understand others’ feelings, and adapt communication styles.
The Entrepreneur Badge Rubric - Southern Management Leadership Program at Montgomery
College (PDF, )
The earner of this badge has demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities that
form the foundation for success as an entrepreneur ready to launch a new venture or
an intrapreneur who will bring these competencies to a future employer.
The Gender Equity Badge Rubric- Women's and Gender Studies Department (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner/student participant has demonstrated competencies
in gender equity topics via critical analysis through a series of activities and written
artifacts.
The Interculturalist Badge Rubric - Anthropology at Montgomery College (PDF, )
The Interculturalist Badge validates that the earner values, respects, and learns
from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions.
The Leadership Badge
The Leadership Badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the ability to leverage
the strengths of others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach
and develop others.
- The Leadership Badge* Rubric - iLead at Montgomery College (PDF, )
- The Leadership Badge Rubric - L.E.A.D.S. at Montgomery College (PDF, )
- The Leader Badge Rubric - Macklin Business Institute at Montgomery College (PDF, )
*The iLead Badge is no longer available, as it has transitioned into the college-wide LEADS program.
The Proactive Thinker Microcredential - Student Affairs
-
The Communication Badge Rubric - Office of Student Affairs (PDF,
)
This badge validates students' abilities to clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives. It focuses on developing skills in verbal, written, and non-verbal communication, ensuring that students can articulate their thoughts in an organized manner, engage with diverse audiences, and adapt their communication style to various contexts. -
The Critical Thinking Badge Rubric - Office of Student Affairs (PDF,
)
This badge measures students' decision-making abilities through sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment. It aims to develop critical thinkers who can approach complex problems with a structured and evidence-based methodology while also considering diverse viewpoints and the potential long-term consequences of their decisions. -
The Innovation Badge Rubric - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence (PDF,
)
This badge recognizes the recipient's capability to clearly define innovative goals, approach problems with actionable solutions, analyze and forecast the impact on student success, establish and follow through on success metrics, collaborate across academic and professional disciplines, and base decisions on solid data. Fill out the Innovation Badge formnew window to complete this self-paced learning opportunity. Employees and students are eligible to earn this badge, however, students must have an MC employee sponsor.
The Professionalism in the Arts Badge Rubric - Visual, Performing, and Media Arts (PDF, )
This badge recognizes students preparing themselves to enter the professional art
world and have gone beyond their coursework to make professional connections and participate
in professional development.
The Social Justice Badge - Office of Equity and Inclusion at Montgomery College (PDF, )
This micro-credential covers competencies in the areas of: Empathy (How do you try
to understand others' feelings through their frame of reference?), Self-Education
(What knowledge do you need to act as an advocate for social justice?), Self-Awareness
(Look within to manifest a non-judgmental view of who you are in terms of compassion
for others, biases, and an action plan towards more inclusionary practices.), and
Advocate (How can you apply social justice to your own community?)
The Student Club Leader Badge Rubric - Student Life (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the ability to leverage the
strengths of others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach
and develop others. The individual can use leadership skills to engage, organize,
motivate, prioritize, and delegate work. To earn this badge a student must be a student
club leader and meet all of the requirements of the badge.
The Student Employee Badge Rubric - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching
Excellence (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the competencies necessary for
the student’s commitment, growth, and preparedness for future career success, reinforcing
MC’s commitment to student development and excellence.
The Academic Coaching Microcredential - The Achieving the Promise Academy (ATPA)
- The Fundamentals of Academic Coaching Badge Rubric (PDF, ) - Achieving the Promise Academy (ATPA)
The ATPA Academic Coaching Microcredential consists of four Badges. Earning badges is based on demonstrating the underlying competencies. For the Fundamentals of Academic Coaching badge, participants must score 12 points or more, and all skills must be rated as competent or higher. Ratings are based on class observations, three required learning outcome reports, and a project presentation and/or report. - The Co-creating the Academic Coaching Relationship Badge Rubric (PDF, ) - Achieving the Promise Academy (ATPA)
The ATPA Academic Coaching Microcredential consists of four Badges. Earning badges is based on demonstrating the underlying competencies. For the Co-creating the Academic Coaching Relationship badge, participants must score 12 points or more, and all skills must be rated as competent or higher.
The Antiracist Badge - Office of Equity and Inclusion at Montgomery College (PDF, )
This micro-credential covers competencies in the areas of: Self-Awareness (What is
your role in racism?), Self-Education (What knowledge do you need to act as an antiracist?),
and Action (How can you practice Antiracism?)
The Data-Informed Instruction Badge Rubric - Office of Analytics and Insights (PDF, )
This badge validates that Montgomery College faculty have the ability to leverage
Bb Analytics to ensure informed decision-making and ultimately use student data to
contribute to institutional goals related to student success.
The Ethics Problem Solver Badge - Office of Compliance, Risk, and Ethics at Montgomery
College (PDF, )
The Ethics Problem Solver microcredential validates that the earner is competent to
resolve complex problems/challenges by exercising sound reasoning and ethical judgment
to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome challenges.
The Fundraising Badge Rubric - Montgomery College Foundation (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the ability to lead and manage
others in fundraising strategy.
The Gender Equity Badge Rubric- Women's and Gender Studies Department (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner/student participant has demonstrated competencies
in gender equity topics via critical analysis through a series of activities and written
artifacts.
The Innovation Badge Rubric - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence (PDF, ) This badge recognizes the recipient's capability to clearly define innovative goals,
approach problems with actionable solutions, analyze and forecast the impact on student
success, establish and follow through on success metrics, collaborate across academic
and professional disciplines, and base decisions on solid data. Fill out the Innovation Badge formnew window to complete this self-paced learning opportunity. Employees and students are eligible
to earn this badge, however, students must have an MC employee sponsor.
The Leadership Badge
The Leadership Badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the ability to leverage
the strengths of others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach
and develop others. Participate in all activities of the Leadership Development Institutenew window (LDI) to earn this badge.
Open Educational Resources (OER) Microcredential - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence
- The OER Advocate Badge Rubric - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the ability to leverage open educational resources and knowledge of open pedagogy. Enroll in the Blackboard Organization "OER Advocate" to complete this self-paced learning opportunity. Alternatively, you can visit the OER Advocate Pressbooknew window and complete all activities. - The OER Learning Architect Badge Rubric -Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching
Excellence (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated an understanding of how Open Educational Resources (OERs) can enhance student learning, support diverse learning needs, and promote collaboration. After successfully completing the OER Advocate badge, you can move onto the next level of activities within the Blackboard Organization to earn this badge.
The Problem Solver Badge Rubric - MC Management at Montgomery College (PDF, )
The Problem Solver Badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the skills necessary
to resolve complex problems/challenges by exercising sound reasoning to analyze issues,
make decisions, and overcome challenges. To earn this badge, you must meet all the
participation requirements of MC Managementnew window (MCM) and complete a capstone project.
The Quality Assurance Microcredential - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching Excellence
- Quality Assurance Design & Delivery Badge Rubric (PDF, ) - This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the competencies necessary
for inclusive quality course design and delivery in a virtual (online or remote) learning
environment.
- Quality Assurance Transformer Badge Rubric (PDF, ) - This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the competencies necessary
for inclusive quality course transformation in a virtual (online or remote) learning
environment. Prerequisites: Successful completion in QA Design and Delivery Badge
with 80% or more at the Accomplished level or equivalent training/design/delivery
experience.
- Quality Assurance Reviewer Badge Rubric (PDF, ) - This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the competencies necessary
for inclusive quality course review in a virtual (online or remote) learning environment.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Training: QA Design & Delivery, QA Transformer
Badge, or MC Online Teaching; and Experience: Quality Matters Peer Reviewer, or equivalent
reviewer designation, or at least (three) years’ experience in relevant Education
Technology for online learning.
The Teaching Essentials: Innovation and Transformation Badge - Academy for Teaching (PDF, )
This micro-credential will cover learning regarding pedagogical and instructional
attitudes, techniques and skills to promote student success. It is meant for full-time
and part-time faculty. To earn this badge, full-time and part-time faculty must meet
all the requirements of the Academy for Teaching Transformationnew window.
The Technology Integration Badge Rubric - Office of E-Learning, Innovation, and Teaching
Excellence (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated the competencies necessary to
integrate technology into a course or work meaningfully. To earn this badge, participants
must attend all sessions and individual consultations as they prepare for their final
project at the last session, demonstrating their course content in alignment with
the TPACK and SAMR models. Participants can sign up through Workday.
The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Badge Rubric -Universal Design Center (PDF, )
This badge validates that the earner has demonstrated understanding and practical
application of the principles of UDL, ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired
are not just theoretical but functionally impactful in educational settings.
- Employee Earners 2020-2024 (PDF, )
- Infographic of Earners (PDF, )
If you have additional questions, please contact ELITE at 240-567-6000 or Dr. Christine Crefton.
A microcredential is a noncredit award given when a specific set or subset of skills or competencies has been achieved. microcredentials can be aligned or “stacked” to build up to larger credentials or certificates. They can also represent a specialized combination of competencies that are relevant to a particular employment sector.
Montgomery College has adopted the framework established by the University System of Maryland for a series of badges focusing on collaboration, communication, critical thinking, globalism, interculturalism, leadership, problem solving and professionalism. These badges come with dimensions, or competencies, that Montgomery College units can adapt to meet their own needs. Units at the College may suggest other badges that they develop around a set of approved competencies.
A microcredential looks like an icon as seen below. The College has contracted with Credly new windowfor our microcredentialing platform. Montgomery College micro-credentials will have the same design, but the wording will change to reflect the microcredential name and the sponsoring program or unit.
microcredentials provide students with another way to articulate and document the achievement of specific skills. This is particularly useful when students are seeking further education or employment. Perhaps they haven’t yet finished a degree or certificate, but they still need to be able to describe their skill set to a potential employer. Employees are able to increase or further develop their skills by achieving the competencies within a micro-credential.
The options are limitless for microcredentials. Some institutions have developed microcredentials in leadership, communication, and ethics to name a few. However, it is important to ensure that the microcredentials are meaningful to employers and other stakeholders. This can be done by working with employers, for example in advisory groups, ensure that the list of skills are relevant to their needs.
The College will offer two types of micro-credentials to help both speed up the design process, but also allow room to address specific needs.
- Collegewide microcredentials for general employment skills: The College will be taking
the lead in developing generic Collegewide competency lists and badges that align
with employer needs nationally. Often referred to as “soft skills” or “foundational
skills” these will include leadership, and communication initially and will expand
to cover a host of skills that are pertinent in the job market and useful to help
employers or future transfer institutions understand what employees and students know
and are able to do. Areas, programs, or units interested in offering these badges
will follow a streamlined process to adopt these Collegewide badges and make them
appropriate for their areas.
- Unit-designed microcredentials for specific employment skills: A unit may wish to develop their own unique badge that is specific to employer needs. One example here might be “Basic Workday Skills for New Employees.” Units might work together to design a microcredential or a series of microcredentials. As one example, a joint effort between Business and IT might lead to microcredential called “Basic Budget Skills for IT Entrepreneurs.”
All microcredentials result from the individual achieving a series of competencies. These competencies can be achieved in or outside of a credit and/or WDCE course(s). For example, a series of assignments in one or more courses may result in a set of competencies that meet the minimum requirements for a microcredential. Microcredentials may be awarded for out-of-class activities as well. For example, students may complete activities to be certified by a national organization; these may also qualify for a micro-credential.
The College is exploring options to include micro-credentials on the transcript. In the meantime, Credly provides the College a location where students or employees can access their microcredentials and link them to their electronic communications, resumes, and social media accounts such as LinkedIn.
Microcredentials are noncredit awards processed through the WDCE unit. They are approved within the program, area, and unit. Once that approval process is complete, the microcredential is approved by the appropriate vice president or designee. After internal approvals have been obtained, the microcredential will be evaluated by Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE) for inclusion on the list of approved micro-credentials and to be entered into the Credly platform. Anyone planning to develop a micro-credential is required to be in contact with WDCE throughout the process to ensure the micro-credential meets the guideline requirements for the College.
There is no charge to students or College employees at this time.
- Gather your workgroup. Stakeholders should include WDCE and credit, employers, advisory group members and transfer institutions if applicable.
- Establish the need for a microcredential. This should be in consultation with your employer advisory group, your College partners particularly in WDCE, and other external stakeholders.
- Make sure that the proposed credential doesn’t duplicate any existing credentials. Also make sure to fill in gaps between credentials where possible.
- Develop the list of skills needed for the microcredential. These will be written as work-related competencies. (You can skip this step if you’re using a Collegewide competency list).
- Develop a way to assess if a student has achieved the competency. (Yes, we have a template!)
- Develop your unit process for awarding the credential. See the resource list for ideas on how this can work.
- Get your signature approvals.
- Submit your proposal for review.
To facilitate this process, you are encouraged to consult with WDCE staff as needed throughout the development of your proposal to ensure that you have met all of the requirements.
No. In order to create a microcredential of value, a range of stakeholders needs to support the need and usefulness of the proposed micro-credential it. Your stakeholders should include employers, College partners (WDCE, credit), and transfer institutions (if applicable).
The workgroup responsible for this initiative has developed these guidelines to be used for microcredential development and approval:
- Microcredentials must provide evidence of demonstrated value, relevance and alignment with external associations or organizations (e.g., employers, four-year institutions, industry representatives).
- Microcredentials should be developed, when applicable, as a collaboration between external stakeholders (e.g. employers, 4 year institutions, industry reps, professional associations) and MC credit and workforce faculty/staff/administrators.
- Microcredentials should be described as a set of competencies.
- Microcredential proposals must provide evidence that there are sufficient competencies demonstrated to warrant the issuance of the micro-credential.
- Microcredential proposals must indicate how each competency will be assessed. Each proposed microcredential must have an associated rubric or other forms of evidence to assess successful achievement of the competencies.
- Each proposal will provide a process for evaluating student achievement of the competencies.
- Each proposed microcredential must have a justifiable expiration date.
- Each program proposing a micro-credential must obtain required Montgomery College approvals.
- Micro-credential proposals should be reviewed by the responsible individuals in WDCE or the areas/divisions responsible to determine if it overlaps with existing credentials or industry certifications and to identify any competency gaps.
There are two parts to the award process.
- At the unit level, you’ll need to decide on the following: (This information will
be included in your proposal.)
- How will information about the microcredential be disseminated to students?
- How will students apply?
- How will applications and assessments be reviewed?
- Who will sign off?
- Where will student applications be stored?
- How will results be communicated to students?
- What is the timeline for these steps?
- A staff person in WDCE will be available to help you with next phase of the award
process.
- Once your proposal has been accepted, this person will enter the list of competencies into Credly and work with you to ensure that the badge artwork is correct.
- Once you’ve determined that a student has achieved the list of skills, you’ll send the information to the WDCE coordinator who will enter that student’s information to the platform.
- The system will send an email to the student using College email that their badge is ready to claim.
- 7 Things You Should Know About Digital Badges (PDF, )
Knowing that learners will need to hone their skills over their careers, there are abundant opportunities for the university to develop new channels for working professionals to continue their learning and document that learning through digital badges. - Badging Essential Skills for Transitions (PDF, ) (B.E.S.T.)
- Badge Dimensions Collaborator Rubric (PDF, )