What Are Microcredentials? A Complete Guide (+ Examples & Benefits)

What Are Microcredentials?

A microcredential is a short program or course that offers a targeted, focused approach to learning a specific skill. It’s designed to provide practical, in-demand skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace or specific professional contexts.

Since microcredentials offer a quicker, less time-intensive way to sharpen your skills, they’re incredibly valuable in today’s fast-changing job market, where employers are actively seeking candidates with specific, in-demand skills.

It’s also a great way for learners to acquire new skills at their own pace. Most programs are designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments, making them accessible to a wide range of professionals.

Microcredential vs. Digital Badge

A microcredential certifies that you’ve gained specific skills, knowledge or competencies in a particular area. However, it is distinct from a digital badge,which is a visual representation of a specific achievement or skill — typically in the form of a graphic or icon — that can be shared on social media, displayed on a website or included in an email signature.

A digital badge is more informal and it’s typically used for sharing and visibility, whereas a microcredential is more official and industry-validated.

How Do You Earn a Microcredential?

If you’re interested in earning a microcredential, seek out a university, college or online learning platform that offers one in your desired skillset or knowledge area. Many offer microcredentials in a variety of areas such as business, technology and education.

Enrolling in a microcredential program is simple. While the process may vary by institution or platform, it typically involves creating an account, registering for courses, making a payment and completing the coursework. Unlike traditional higher education programs, there’s no formal admissions process.

Once you’ve completed the course or program, you can showcase your new microcredential on your resume, CV, personal or professional website and LinkedIn profile.

Who Should Pursue a Microcredential?

The short answer is — anyone! But a microcredential can be especially beneficial for certain individuals, including:

• Working professionals
• Career changers
• Students and recent graduates
• Employees focused on professional development
• Freelancers
• Entrepreneurs
• Lifelong learners
• Professionals in regulated industries such as healthcare or teaching
• Job seekers

What Are the Benefits of Earning a Microcredential?

Whether you’re looking to acquire a new skill quickly or enhance your current knowledge with fresh ideas, the benefits of earning a microcredential are many.

• Targeted skill development that meets workforce needs: A microcredential focuses on a single skill, knowledge or competency area. Some microcredential programs are strategically geared toward addressing specific workforce demands, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the exact skills employers are seeking.
• Time-efficient learning: Microcredential programs typically take less time than certification or degree programs, meaning you can upskill in just a matter of weeks.
• Cost-effective: In most cases, microcredentials are the most affordable option when compared with certificate and degree programs.
• Career advancement opportunities: Employers value professionals who are motivated to learn and grow. Earning a microcredential shows your commitment to continuous learning and can equip you with the skills and knowledge to take the next step in your career.
• Industry-relevant: Microcredentials are often offered in partnership with industry experts, which ensures the skills you learn are extremely relevant in the current job market.
• Flexibility: Since microcredentials are offered online, you have the flexibility to adapt your learning to fit your personal and professional schedule.
• Stackable credentials: Some microcredentials may even count toward larger qualifications, such as certificates or degrees.
• Career exploration and personalized growth: One of the greatest benefits of a microcredential is that it allows you to explore new areas or industries without committing to a complete career change. Some microcredentials focus specifically on interpersonal skill development — such as critical thinking and emotional awareness — which can help both personally and professionally and be applied to a wide variety of professions and industries.

How Do Microcredentials Benefit Employers?

While microcredentials are certainly beneficial for employees, they also offer employers the ability to enhance current employees’ skills and knowledge without the need to hire new staff or invest in extensive additional training.

Let’s expand on these advantages:

• Cost-effective professional development and training: Offering widespread training for multiple employees has its advantages, but what if you only need training for one or two employees? Or perhaps each employee requires a different focus in their development? Microcredentials allow for targeted, individualized learning without the need for large-scale training programs.
• Faster upskilling: Employees can study at their own pace, and within a few weeks, acquire new skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace.
• Increased employee engagement: By offering opportunities for personal growth and skill development, employers show a genuine interest in their employees’ career goals and interests, which can significantly boost engagement and job satisfaction.

According to the 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 90% of organizations are concerned about employee retention. To address this issue, they are using learning opportunities as a primary strategy for improving retention

The same report states that 7 in 10 people believe learning improves their connection to their company or organization, and 8 in 10 say that learning gives purpose to their work.

• Adapting to industry changes: Microcredentials help employers keep up with the latest skills and knowledge, ensuring they remain competitive.

Microcredential vs. Certificate vs. Degree — What Are the Differences?

While all three are valuable ways of enhancing your education and skillset, they do differ significantly in terms of duration, intensity and cost. Let’s break down the differences.

• Microcredential: A microcredential is an extremely specific designation that targets a particular skill or competency. It’s designed for quickly enhancing your skills in a short amount of time — typically only a few weeks to a few months at the most. It’s also the most affordable out of these three options. If you’re looking to quickly learn a new skill or explore a new field without a huge time commitment, a microcredential might be the right path for you.
• Certificate: A certificate is more comprehensive than a microcredential but not as involved as a degree. The time commitment is typically a few months to a year, depending on the intensity and duration of the program. This option is ideal if you’re interested in building foundational knowledge in a certain area. It’s often more costly than a microcredential but less expensive than a degree.
• Degree: A degree — whether undergraduate, graduate or doctoral — is the most comprehensive option. Designed to cover advanced concepts in a particular field, a degree is a long-term commitment. It’s best for professionals seeking in-depth education, and in some cases, a specific degree may be required for certain positions. While degrees are widely recognized and valued across most industries, they are also the most expensive option and tend to offer limited flexibility, depending on the program. However, the increasing availability of hybrid and online options has made them more accessible.

Are Microcredentials Worth It?

Microcredentials are an excellent way to advance your education and skills, depending on your goals and career path. They offer quick, flexible learning, most of which is available online, providing you with great flexibility in terms of where and when you study. Microcredentials are also the most affordable option compared to certificates and degree programs, which means they’re a great choice for those looking to enhance their skills without a major financial commitment. Plus, they are a great way to boost your resume or LinkedIn profile.

6 Examples of Microcredentials

Looking for some options? Here are a handful of popular microcredentials offered by Marshall University, most of which are offered online.

Durable Skills — Communication
Overview: This course sharpens your active listening, oral and written communication skills in an AI-augmented workplace. It prepares you to excel in traditional and tech-driven communication, equipping you to lead, collaborate and innovate in a dynamic, AI-augmented workplace.
Who can benefit? Working professionals, traditional freshmen, dual credit students, students transitioning from community college
Cost: $100

Durable Skills — Critical Thinking
Overview: You will acquire a toolkit of durable skills that are applicable across various disciplines and industries, fostering a mindset geared toward continuous learning and adaptation. This course focuses on three core competencies — information literacy, contextual thinking and creative problem-solving.
Who can benefit? Working professionals, traditional freshmen, dual credit students, students transitioning from community college
Cost: $100

Design for Delight: Innovation Explorer
Overview: Discover how to “love the problem” through deep empathy, creative ideation and rapid experimentation. This course, inspired by Intuit’s Design for Delight model, equips you with practical and innovative techniques to tackle human-centered challenges effectively.
Who can benefit: Community members, alumni and business leaders who want to gain practical skills and reshape their approach to problem-solving
Cost: $150

Introduction to Generative AI
Overview: This comprehensive course offers a deep dive into the world of generative AI, tailored for those eager to integrate this cutting-edge technology into their daily routines. You’ll benefit from five meticulously structured modules — Introduction to Generative AI, Understanding the Mechanics, Mastering the Prompt, Frameworks and Models and Real-World Applications.
Who can benefit: Professionals, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts and anyone who is looking to integrate generative AI into their everyday life
Cost: $10

Lockout/Tagout Safety Training

Overview: This in-person course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform lockout/tagout procedures. These procedures are critical for ensuring an accident-free working environment, particularly in settings involving electrical and mechanical equipment.
Who can benefit: Manufacturing professionals, safety officers and educators
Cost: $99

Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) & Fusion 360: The Contours of Creation
Overview: This is a four-day, in-person, hands-on course designed to give you a solid understanding of Fusion 360’s modeling features and capabilities in design and manufacturing. Autodesk Fusion 360 is a 3D Design and Modeling platform that allows you to engineer products with a comprehensive set of modeling tools for CAD, CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering).
Who can benefit: Aspiring designers, engineers and manufacturers; individuals interested in 3D modeling, 3D printing or enhancing their skills in product design and assembly
Cost: $350

Boost Your Skills With Microcredentials at Marshall University

Ready to master a new skill? Marshall University offers a wide range of microcredentials in fields like cybersecurity, design thinking, self-reliance and safety. Through Credential WV, educators at Marshall are collaborating with leaders across the state to develop microcredentials tailored to meet the specific workforce needs of the region. These programs provide practical, focused learning that can help individuals advance in their careers and address the evolving demands of employers.

With both in-person and online microcredential options — some even available at an employer’s location — you can choose the learning format that fits your schedule. Plus, we partner with top industry organizations to ensure our courses are relevant, practical and designed to help you succeed in your field.
Visit Marshall Skills Exchange (MSE) to learn more about our microcredentials, including how to sign up and view our course catalog to see all the listings.