Micro-credentials go through the same academic process as all other degree programs at NAU.

Learning objectives are specific to a course and describe what the learner should know at the end of a learning period. Competencies define the applied skills and knowledge that enable people to successfully perform job requirements.

Skills + Knowledge + Abilities = Competencies

Example:

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to

• • Locate the drain plug,
  • Determine oil weight,
  • Add the right amount of oil,
  • Change filter

Competency:

• • Correctly change the oil in under 10 minutes

Micro-credentials offered for academic credit are hosted in Bb Learn.

For non-credit micro-credential courses, Continuing Education will conduct an environmental scan of similar programs to determine along with the academic unit, an appropriate market-driven rate.

Existing micro-credentials fall under the current tuition model. In the future, as new micro-credentials are developed for credit, the tuition model will be reviewed to determine the appropriate tuition structure. 

Yes, for non-credit bearing micro-credentials, we have a revenue share model that distributes 65% of the revenue to the academic unit. The academic unit is responsible for paying the instructional costs to teach the course. This can be part of a faculty member’s standard workload or designated as supplemental pay. The funds distributed to the college are at its discretion for use to meet its needs.

The other 35% of the revenue goes to Continuing Education to support the academic unit, including: instructional design, student support, marketing, and promotion, etc.

Yes, micro-credentials can be included in a certificate, bachelor’s or master’s degree program at NAU. The academic unit makes this determination.

Yes, an academic unit can review an already established program to ensure learning outcomes, competencies and assessment all align to a micro-credential and digital badge.

Certificates are a planned group of undergraduate courses within a single discipline or selected from among two or more related disciplines containing a minimum of 15 units; completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. At least 12 units of the certificate must be unique to differentiate it from other certificates. A certificate is best used when there is a compelling market-place need.

Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit units. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit units. A graduate certificate can be completed as part of a graduate program or as a stand-alone credential.

Workforce and Market Analysis Reports are comprehensive in nature and include data such as a program review, industry outlook, competitive analysis and recommendations for programming. An Environmental scan is a shorter report that helps academic units survey program competitors, target markets, price points and new innovations for programming.