Course-Embedded Microcredentials
Professional Pathways is an innovative, high-impact practice that bundles groups of approved credit courses into microcredentials to verify mastery of specific, industry-based skills.
Bradley University undergraduate and graduate students can accumulate the embedded microcredentials while working toward their degrees and use the resulting digital badges to showcase the granular knowledge and in-demand skills that set them apart in today’s job market.
With Professional Pathways, students can demonstrate to employers a broad education with specialization in a discipline (their major), depth and complements to that discipline (their minor), and specific skill set mastery (their earned microcredentials).
Professional Pathways encourage a more customizable experience for Bradley students:
- Value-added feature for Bradley students – no cost, no fees – quick return on investment
- Access to labor market insights with each badge earned
- Progressive accumulation of career competencies while earning a degree
- Interdisciplinary flexibility and incentive to take courses outside your major
- Immediate recognition of skills to showcase for internships, summer jobs, and full-time jobs
- Verifiable digital badges with significant metadata to share on LinkedIn and social media
- Alumni (starting with Class of 2021) can request digital badges for small fee
Additional Links
- Academic Program Search
- Tutoring & Writing Center
- Scholarships
- Student Support Services
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Canvas
- Course Catalog
Questions:
- Dr. Dakota Horn
- [email protected]
- Michelle Riggio Rarick
- [email protected]
Faculty Resources
Video Production Microcredential
Proficiency in video production is a versatile skill applicable to diverse fields and is a valuable asset in today’s multimedia-driven world. Earners of this badge have successfully completed three Bradley University credit courses in the Television Arts and have shown mastery in the technical and creative sides of video productions through the creation of news packages, instructional videos, music videos, and more.
View badge and skills.
Legal Research Microcredential
Proficiency in legal research is a vital skill applicable to careers in law firms, corporate legal departments, financial institutions, government, and more. Earners of this badge have successfully completed 3 Bradley University credit courses in Legal Studies and Political Science and have demonstrated the ability to articulate complex legal issues, write clear and well-organized legal documents, and formulate persuasive arguments supported by sound legal reasoning, evidence, and precedents.
View badge and skills
Foundations in Business Analytics
Business analytics skills are essential to analyze trends, interpret key insights, and make data-driven decisions. Earners of this badge have completed 3 Bradley University credit courses in Management Information Systems and Quantitative Methods and have demonstrated the ability to organize and disseminate data with spreadsheets and databases, create statistical analysis of that data, and make evidence-based decisions using inferential statistics based on well-reasoned statistical arguments.
View badge and skills
Student FAQs
Professional Pathways is a value-added feature for Bradley students who complete certain groups of credit-bearing courses. The skills mastered in those courses are bundled into a microcredential. Upon successful completion of the courses, a microcredential is awarded and represented by a digital badge. The digital badge, which includes significant metadata about the industry-based skills, can be shared on a resume, LinkedIn, and other professional outlets as you work toward your degree.
Professional Pathways microcredentials focus on skills embedded within academic courses. They are not part of the Continuing Education catalog of upskilling courses available to the public. Only current Bradley undergraduate and graduate students (and a small number of recent alumni) are eligible to earn Professional Pathways.
The value of microcredentials to employers has never been higher. According to two recent national surveys, 86% of employers report that earning microcredentials strengthen a job application. Faculty keep career pathways in mind when developing Professional Pathways and make sure the particular skills you master across groups of courses will be of importance to and understood by employers.
No. You must apply for a digital badge using Continuing Education’s shopping-like website, but there is no charge. The credit courses you take to learn the embedded skills, however, still carry normal tuition charges.
Professional Pathways microcredentials use academic courses but have no relationship to your major, minor, or graduation progress. It is an optional program to showcase particular skills. Participation is voluntary and will not impact your academic progress.
Visit Continuing Education and follow the steps to add the no-cost microcredential to your shopping cart. Staff will verify your completion and issue the badge via email.
No, but you must earn a B or better in each of the courses in the microcredential to be eligible for a digital badge.
No. The Professional Pathways microcredentials can only be earned by taking Bradley University courses, as they have undergone a rigorous curricular review process to ensure academic excellence.
Skills are specific, measurable, and practical. They are not broader concepts, ideas, theories, or foundational knowledge.
- Skill: Calculating and analyzing the deflection of beams using engineering software.
- Concept: Explaining the principles of stress and strain in materials.
Faculty FAQs
Microcredentials at Bradley University are non-degree, non-credit, short-term offerings with competency-based learning to show verifiable mastery of specific skills, the majority of which close industry skill gaps.
Professional Pathways is a value-added feature for Bradley students who complete certain groups of credit-bearing courses. The skills mastered in those courses are bundled into a microcredential. Upon successful completion of the courses, a microcredential is awarded and represented by a digital badge. The digital badge, which includes significant metadata about the industry-based skills, can be shared on a resume, LinkedIn, and other professional outlets as you work toward your degree.
Professional Pathways microcredentials focus on skills embedded within academic courses. They are not part of the Continuing Education catalog of upskilling courses available to the public. Only current Bradley undergraduate and graduate students (and a small number of recent alumni) are eligible to earn Professional Pathways.
- Minimum 2 courses, 6 – 14 credit hours total
- Interdepartmental applications encouraged
- Minimum 6-10 industry-based skill sets mastered (mastery = B or better)
- General concepts are valued, but skills-based competencies are required
- Focus on industry alignment, practical application, and demonstration of mastery
Visit the Continuing Education online portal and follow the steps to add the no-cost microcredential to your shopping cart. Staff will verify completion and issue the badge via email.
No, but students must earn a B or better in each of the courses in the microcredential to be eligible for a digital badge.
Once submitted online, all applications are reviewed and approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Continuing Education. Committee members use a rubric (based on the below requirements) to rate the application and provide feedback if further details or improvements are required.
You will be required to submit:
- Course syllabi and 6-10 industry-based skill sets mastered
- How the courses are interrelated and address desired employer competencies
- Clear demonstration of professional value to students and employers
- Assessments that indicate how those skills are evaluated
- Suggested title that differs from courses, major, and minor
- Contact name of faculty, department chair, and dean
No. The Professional Pathways microcredentials can only be earned by taking Bradley University courses, as they have undergone a rigorous curricular review process to ensure academic excellence.
Skills are specific, measurable, and practical. They are not broader concepts, ideas, theories, or foundational knowledge.
- Skill: Calculating and analyzing the deflection of beams using engineering software.
- Concept: Explaining the principles of stress and strain in materials.
Look to industry specific skills desired by employers. Identify soft skills, desirable skills, technical skills, transferable skills, job-specific skills, etc. This broad interpretation allows for specific disciplines, fields, industries, and areas of expertise to help define what a skill is. Think about how these skill building processes are naturally built into the curriculum. Look to major/minor/course specific learning objectives related to those desired skills to help extract the skill sets in common courses.
For more information, refer to the Continuing Education handout, skills vs. concepts.
Yes. Please refer to application link upon committee approval for guidance.
