How Microcredentials Are Changing Higher Education

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• More than half of higher education leaders already offer microcredentials for academic credit, and 82 percent plan to do so within the next five years.
• Ninety percent of students say that earning a credential will make them stand out to employers and help them land jobs upon graduation.
• A school that embraces microcredentials can offer engaged and personalized learning experiences, which improve student satisfaction and retention rates.

 
In today’s evolving job market, many workers who want to earn promotions or switch careers are obtaining the training they need through short courses and certifications. In response, more higher education institutions are ramping up their microcredential offerings to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and industry-aligned education.

According to UNESCO, a microcredential is defined as a certification that focuses on a specific set of learning outcomes in a narrow field of learning. It is completed over a shorter time period than a traditional university program.

A new report from education provider Coursera delivers insights into how microcredentials are preparing graduates for jobs and driving impact for institutions worldwide. The Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2024 is based on a survey of more than 1,000 campus leaders from more than 850 institutions across 89 countries.

On the Rise Around the World

According to the report, global adoption of microcredentials is on the rise, with 51 percent of higher education leaders integrating such offerings into their curricula. Fifty-three percent of these leaders say their institutions currently offer microcredentials for academic credit, and 82 percent plan to do so within the next five years.

These trends capture a fundamental shift in higher education curricula toward more responsive and relevant academic offerings. By embedding microcredentials into degree programs, universities are incorporating in-demand skills training into their academic offerings. This aligns with growing industry support for skills-based hiring practices: 97 percent of employers are already using or are considering moving toward a skills-based hiring approach.

The Benefits for Students and Institutions

Microcredentials enable students to acquire specific, targeted skills in fields such as such as project management, data analysis, and programming. Because these competencies closely match industry needs, students become highly valuable in today’s competitive job market. In fact, 97 percent of leaders who offer microcredentials attest that these programs strengthen long-term career outcomes for students.

Students themselves agree. Ninety percent say that earning a credential such as a Professional Certificate from Coursera will make them stand out to employers and help them land jobs upon graduation. In the past year, as student demand has risen, entry-level certificates for business students on Coursera have grown by 92.3 percent.

There is a fundamental shift in higher education curricula toward more responsive and relevant academic offerings.

A business school that embraces microcredentials realizes multiple strategic benefits. For instance, it improves its student satisfaction—and retention—rates because microcredential programs allow it to offer personalized and engaging learning experiences. The school demonstrates increased innovation because microcredential programs enable it to respond quickly to industry needs. As the school becomes more innovative, it enhances its competitive edge, which in turn attracts more students.

Institutions such as Hult International Business School, Ivey Business School at Western University, and The University of Texas Permian Basin are already realizing these benefits as they integrate microcredentials on Coursera.

“Microcredentials offer a compelling value proposition for students seeking flexible, personalized, and career-focused education,” says Rav Ahuja, chief content officer and Global Program Director at IBM Skills Network. “By providing modular learning pathways, institutions can attract a wider pool of learners and improve student retention by meeting their diverse needs and career aspirations.”

Accreditors and Employers Weigh In

Students and universities aren’t the only ones embracing microcredentials—accrediting bodies and employers are doing so as well.

For instance, organizations such as American Council on Education (ACE) and the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) recommend certain credit-bearing microcredentials, underscoring the quality and rigor of these educational options. And many employers look for candidates who can prove their proficiency in a specific skill. According to research from Coursera, employers are 72 percent more likely to hire a student with a Professional Certificate from Coursera’s Career Academy.

Accrediting bodies recommend certain credit-bearing microcredentials, underscoring the quality and rigor of these educational options.

These certificates, which are designed to meet industry standards, are offered by companies such as Google, Meta, and IBM. Because students are learning relevant job skills, graduates are equipped to meet employer expectations from day one.

“When designing microcredentials, we prioritize relevance,” explains Vikas Wadhwani, director of learning and certifications at Meta. “We analyze in-demand skills, assess their standalone and combined value, and ensure Meta is positioned to deliver the best possible learning experience.”

For students using Coursera to earn business-related microcredentials, the six most popular Professional Certificates are Google Data Analytics, Google Project Management, Google UX Design, Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IBM Data Science, and Meta Social Media Marketing.

A Crucial Role

As higher education institutions worldwide adapt their curricula to changing times, microcredentials will continue to play a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers and ensuring education systems remain responsive to the needs of employers.

For an institution looking to drive growth and innovation, now is the time to embrace microcredentials. By integrating these targeted programs into its academic offerings, a school can equip its students with the skills and credentials that will set them apart in the job market, while positioning itself as a leader in industry-aligned education.