Board member JC Risewick's experience working with business students at Iowa State University who seek deeper education through the microcredentials program suggests that the skills, experience, and enthusiasm they demonstrate will lead to them being hired on the spot. He said that it would be.
Microcredentials, described by Anne Marie VanderZanden, an associate professor at Iowa State University, are short-term disciplinary programs that develop knowledge, skills, and abilities through intensive learning. She said it could give learners an edge in the workforce and enable them to obtain more educational qualifications in the future.
“They leave school with a tangible skill set that they can use right away,” Risewick said. “So I think these are great programs.”
Microcredentials and other short-term education opportunities provide flexible learning for traditional students, continuing education students and those interested in professional development, university representatives said at Wednesday's Iowa Board of Regents meeting. Discussed.
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VanderZanden said ISU has offered microcredentials through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for more than 100 years, including the Certified Crop Advisor Program, bilingual training and education, and more. In the 2022-23 school year, more than 900,000 people participated in microcredential education through public programs.
According to VanDerZanden, microcredentials are actually a way to demonstrate that competency in a certain area has been achieved, and this can be done in a variety of ways. It can also be offered outside of the normal academic schedule, allowing for more flexibility for both students and schools.
“Microcredentials themselves are highly customizable,” VanDerZanden says. “While it can be designed to meet the needs of specific workforce sectors or individual companies, it is not a long-term commitment that requires significant time and investment from the learner.”
Last year, ISU conducted a survey of microcredential programs offered across the university sector to find commonalities and bring them under one brand umbrella. A task force set up for this work found that students don't really understand the value of these microcredentials, and university officials said they are working to rectify them.
“The great thing about the microcredential space is that it allows you to document skills and abilities that don't necessarily show up on a traditional academic transcript that focuses on your field of expertise,” VanDerZanden said.
One program at ISU where students can learn and showcase these skills is the Gerdin Leaders Academy. This is her two-semester, non-credit, self-paced program. Students complete activities in a variety of leadership competency areas, including ethics, professional development, and community service.
Approximately 120 students participate each year, and once students complete all competency requirements, they are awarded a program completion badge that increases their employability, VanDerZanden said.
Tanya Wooden-Holman, associate professor at the University of Iowa, said the online certificates the university offers to undergraduate, graduate, and graduate students offer flexible learning because they are offered as standalone certificates or add-ons. He said that it provides opportunities for students to receive education outside of their majors. Every time.
Online certificates, such as those offered through the Tippee College of Business MBA program, are critical for people looking to change careers or further improve their ability to meet the needs of the workforce, Wooden-Holman said. I did.
“They also encourage lifelong learning, and I think that's what we want for all of our students and other people out in the community as well,” Wooden-Holman said. “In other words, they provide an opportunity to improve their skills and strengthen their knowledge base.”
Regent Abby Crowe, a 2023 University of Iowa graduate, interacted with many business students while taking a break from her primary field to learn something new while pursuing her Leadership Studies certification. He said that he was able to experience various points of view.
“I thought it was a really great learning opportunity for me to see people from different professions and strive toward similar goals in their career paths,” Crowe said.
Each university official brought up the fact that many of these microcredentials are stackable and can be applied towards graduate degrees and other certifications.
Patrick Pease, an associate professor at the University of Northern Iowa, believes that these micro-credentials, as evidenced by an initiative launched by the university to help educators expand their teaching and teaching opportunities, He said some of them can be used to subdivide the work of a master's degree. .
UNI offers 14 online endorsements that “give you additional authorization to teach in your specialty,” many of which are stackable, Pease said. The university focuses on creating certificates and other qualifications that specifically target workforce needs, including education, to help students succeed as stand-alone accomplishments or as a stepping stone to further degrees.
In education, it helps teachers diversify their teaching skills and prepare them for careers as superintendents and other administrators, such as the work-based skills development program the university created in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools. There is a possibility that it can be done.
“Microcredentials will continue to be an evolving area for all three of our campuses as we all continue to monitor workforce needs and refine the subject matter and delivery of programs that are so important to workforce development. “We will continue to do so,” Pease said. “We will also monitor our return on investment to ensure we meet the needs of our people in a timely and sustainable manner.”
Board members expressed support for microcredentials, with board chairwoman Sherry Bates calling them “the biggest secret” she's ever heard. Regent Greta Rouse said programs like the UI's online specialized MBA certificate allow people who are location-bound and out of school for years to further their education.
Regent Jim Lindenmayer said as someone who previously worked in continuing education, it's interesting to see colleges and universities across the state increasing their investment in these types of programs, and he said he's excited to see the state's universities invest more in these types of programs. Encouraged university efforts to expand.
“I think the fact that they're all involved and buying into this adds a lot of legitimacy to these qualifications and these badges. I think this is a great response to the workforce,” Lindenmayer said. said.