Micro-credentials and Badges

More Information

• Why enroll in a Micro-credential course?
  • Choose what skills you want to develop. Micro-credentials differ from a degree, minor, or certificate program in that you only register for the courses offering the skills you wish to learn. 
  • Combine several badges into a larger micro-credential program. Enroll in several related badges to earn a larger, overarching micro-credential. 
  • Share your achievements easily on online platforms to employers and colleagues. Digital badges contain metadata describing your micro-credential and how you earned it. You can share badges on social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter; add to your e-portfolio; embed in a website directly from our badging partner Credly; send in an email; and more. 
  • Own your education. Badges are owned by you, the earner. You can choose where and how you want to share your digital micro-credentials. 
• What are Micro-credentials?

  Micro-credentials allow earners to showcase skills, competencies, or achievements gained from learning experiences. Micro-credentials can be earned from a variety of learning experiences: 

  • Curricular: Classes normally taken and/or are degree requirements for a course of study 
  • Co-Curricular: Classes taken in addition to a traditional course of study 
  • Experiential: Opportunities where the learning modality is based on observation and experience 
• What are Digital Badges?
  • Digital badges are the visual representation of having earned a micro-credential. Badges demonstrate that a student has obtained a certain level of mastery for a definable skillset or competency/ies.
  • Badges are digitally-coded objects containing hyperlinks to: Proof; Achievement description; Earner’s name; Awarding body’s name; Issue date; Expiration Date; and Sponsor information (if applicable). Badges allows students to utilize a platform to “showcase” evidence of their gained competencies. Compared to traditional course assessment components, digital badges provide a more transparent and evidenced-based demonstration of what skills a student acquires and can utilize. Badging additionally allows students to individually display discrete skills that they have obtained, which can set them apart in the professional realm. 
• What Micro-credentials and Badges does DU offer?

  A full listing of available badges is available on DU’s Credly platform. 

  DU currently has five classifications for badges. See below for their descriptions:

  Foundational – Dark crimson outer ring, gold inner ring, and crimson banner
  Foundational badges show that earners have gained the core skills and frameworks necessary to demonstrate competency. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a beginner level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges follow a traditional curriculum and are part of a sequence of badges (Foundational to Intermediate, or Foundational to Intermediate to Advanced).

  Intermediate – Dark crimson outer ring, crimson inner ring, and gold banner
  Intermediate badges expand upon the skills earned on the Foundational level and provide further specialization. The criteria to earn these badges is more rigorous. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a professional level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges follow a traditional curriculum and are part of a sequence of badges (Foundational to Intermediate, or Foundational to Intermediate to Advanced).

  Advanced – Gold outer ring, dark crimson inner ring, and crimson banner
  Advanced badges represent mastery of the skills contained in the badge. The earner has completed a substantial curriculum to earn this micro-credential. Completion of this level signifies the learner has a specialist level mastery of the subject or skills. These badges follow a traditional curriculum and are part of a sequence of badges (Foundational to Intermediate to Advanced).

  Standalone Badges – Crimson ring and gold banner
  Standalone badges are curricular badges that do not have subsequent levels.

  Experiential – Gold ring and crimson banner
  Experiential badges are co-curricular and/or experienced-based (i.e. taken outside of a traditional curriculum).

  The following departments/schools are offering micro-credentials. Please visit DU's Credly Platform for a full listing of offerings. 

  Butler Institute for Families – Graduate School of Social Work

  Center for Professional Development – University College

  Center for World Languages & Cultures – College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

  Denver Publishing Institute – College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

  Department of Psychology – College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

  Executive Education – Daniels School of Business

  Learning Effectiveness Program – Division of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence

  Office of Student Employment – Career & Professional Development

  Teaching and Learning Online Program – Office of Teaching & Learning

  Teaching for Inclusion & Equity – Office of Teaching & Learning

  University College

• How to Earn a Micro-credential
  • Step 1: Find a micro-credential 
  • Step 2: Enroll in your program 
  • Step 3: Accept your badge through Credly 
  • Step 4: Showcase your badge 
• Faculty/Staff Micro-credential Proposal Process

  Interested in offering a micro-credential? All badge proposals must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation and approval. Approval forms are available in Courseleaf.  

  Please note: the proposal system is still under construction.  

  Submit a Micro-credential Proposal

• Resources

  Please refer to DU’s FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions and the Tutorial – How to Accept DU Badges for a guide on how to accept your micro-credential:

  FAQ – Micro-credentials and Badges

  Tutorial – How to Accept DU Badges

  For all other questions, please contact Bianca.Kumar@du.edu or refer to the Credly Support Page.