# Microdegree

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Certification of a component part of a formal qualification

This article is about a certificate in postsecondary education. For the angular measure, see [Degree (angle)](/source/Degree_(angle)).

In [higher education](/source/Higher_education) a **microdegree**, **microcredential** or **microcourse** is a qualification[1] focused upon a specified professional or career discipline and typically comprises one or more sources of accelerated educational experiences. Microdegrees are a single manifestation of [Competency Based Education](/source/Competency-based_learning) (CBE) which seeks to tie credentialing to specific skill sets.[2] Micro-credentials may be completed on-site, online or in a blended format.[1]

Microcredentials including microdegrees act as a [pointer](/source/Pointer_(user_interface)) to the criteria for and demonstration of the [skills](/source/Skill) represented by the microcredential. Because the [credentials](/source/Credential) are presented in a [digital format](/source/Digital_data), they can be [parsed](/source/Parsing) automatically for [verification](/source/Verification_and_validation) over the web and allow for a greater level of [granularity](/source/Granularity) than a traditional paper [transcript](/source/Transcript_(education)). Microdegrees meet the criteria for Open Educational Data defined by the [U.S. Department of Education](/source/United_States_Department_of_Education).[3]

Within the [hierarchy](/source/Hierarchy) of educational credentials microdegrees are considered to be "[certificates](/source/Academic_certificate)" requiring a lower level of commitment and rigor than a traditional [degree program](/source/Academic_degree) but serving an important role as a [vocational](/source/Vocation) credential.[4][5]

Microcredentials may have a credit value at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, and this may be used towards undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications.[6] or potentially at another university (subject to the agreement of the receiving institution).

In Ireland, the [Higher Education Authority](/source/Higher_Education_Authority) has funded learner-fee subsidies for higher education micro-credentials. Under the 2026 scheme, eligible micro-credentials must award between 5 and 20 [ECTS](/source/European_Credit_Transfer_and_Accumulation_System) credits and be aligned to Levels 6 to 9 of the [National Framework of Qualifications](/source/National_Framework_of_Qualifications).[7]

The [advent](/source/Advent) of the microdegree is presented by its promoters as a challenge to the existing degree model as it permits students to utilize accelerated, free and low cost programs to earn credentials of direct relevance to their interests and career ambitions.[8][9][10][11][12]

Microdegrees and other microcredentials are also seen as a system to facilitate and record lifelong learning.[13] A significant percentage of microdegree students are working adults seeking career change or advancement.[14][15]

Some institutions that offer microdegree programs describe themselves as a "Micro College".[16][17][18]

In recent years, [MOOC](/source/Massive_open_online_course) platforms have started expanding their offerings of microcredentials as viable substitutes, going as far as offering a blended education model. Such programs allow graduates of the respective microcredential programs to have a reduced residency period at traditional universities.[19] For example, the [MIT](/source/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology) admitted in 2018 its first cohort of students in [supply chain management](/source/Supply_chain_management) at a reduced five-month residency period through their [blended learning](/source/Blended_learning) initiatives on the [edX](/source/EdX) platform with the launch of its [MicroMasters](/source/MicroMasters) program.[20]

## See also

- [Digital badge](/source/Digital_badge)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EC_2020_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EC_2020_1-1) ["A European approach to micro-credentials"](https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/european-education-area/a-european-approach-to-micro-credentials_en). *Education and Training - European Commission*. 11 December 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210923013032/https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/european-education-area/a-european-approach-to-micro-credentials_en) from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["MOOCs and Credentialing: A Revolutionary Perspective"](http://www.edcircuit.com/moocs-and-credentialing-a-revolutionary-perspective/). EdCircuit.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150417020137/http://www.edcircuit.com/moocs-and-credentialing-a-revolutionary-perspective/) from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Open Data"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150415222118/http://www2.ed.gov/about/data/index.html). *US Department of Education*. 9 April 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www2.ed.gov/about/data/index.html) on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fain, Paul (6 June 2012). ["Certificates are misunderstood credentials that pay off - mostly for men"](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/06/06/certificates-are-misunderstood-credentials-pay-mostly-men). InsideHigherEd.com. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Leonhardt, David (5 March 2015). ["Here's What Will Truly Change Higher Education: Online Degrees That Are Seen as Official"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/upshot/true-reform-in-higher-education-when-online-degrees-are-seen-as-official.html). *New York Times*. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["WHAT ARE MICROCREDENTIALS?"](https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/contentlibrary/imagelibrary/microcredentials/prospectus-pdf/microcredentials-2020-21-prospectus.aspx). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240720051416/https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/contentlibrary/imagelibrary/microcredentials/prospectus-pdf/microcredentials-2020-21-prospectus.aspx) from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026"](https://hea.ie/2026/03/20/micro-credential-learner-fee-subsidy-2026/). *Higher Education Authority*. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Traditional college degrees could face 'serious competition' as online 'microdegrees' emerge, website reports"](http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/02/traditional_college_degrees_co.html). NOLA.com. 24 February 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150416004208/http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/02/traditional_college_degrees_co.html) from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["How Google and Coursera may upend the traditional college degree | Brookings Institution"](http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/techtank/posts/2015/02/23-mooc-google-coursera-butler). Brookings.edu. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Meet the New, Self-Appointed MOOC Accreditors: Google and Instagram – Wired Campus - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education"](http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/meet-the-new-self-appointed-mooc-accreditors-google-and-instagram/55807). Chronicle.com. 11 February 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150331053441/http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/meet-the-new-self-appointed-mooc-accreditors-google-and-instagram/55807) from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["MOOC Sightings 003: FutureLearn, Microdegrees, 'Open Internet' | Educational Technology and Change Journal"](http://etcjournal.com/2015/02/24/mooc-sightings-003-future-learn-microdegrees-open-internet/). Etcjournal.com. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["How to Make Micro Credentials Matter | EdSurge News"](https://www.edsurge.com/n/2015-02-02-how-to-make-micro-credentials-matter). Edsurge.com. 2 February 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150318051459/https://www.edsurge.com/n/2015-02-02-how-to-make-micro-credentials-matter) from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Micro-Credentials: Empowering Lifelong Learners"](http://www.edutopia.org/blog/micro-credentials-empowering-lifelong-learners-krista-moroder). Edutopia.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150409173308/http://www.edutopia.org/blog/micro-credentials-empowering-lifelong-learners-krista-moroder) from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Young, Jeffrey R. (9 March 2015). ["PhD or Microdegree?"](http://chronicle.com/article/PhD-or-Microdegree-/228153/). [The Chronicle of Higher Education](/source/The_Chronicle_of_Higher_Education). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150312125530/http://chronicle.com/article/PhD-or-Microdegree-/228153) from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Degrees Converting Into Lifelong Learning, in Kaplan A.(2021) Higher Education at the Crossroads of Disruption, The University of the 21st Century"](https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Higher-Education-at-the-Crossroads-of-Disruption/?k=9781800715042). Emerald. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210129073826/https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Higher-Education-at-the-Crossroads-of-Disruption/?k=9781800715042) from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Micro-Colleges and the Pop-Up University"](http://www.hastac.org/blogs/bill-brantley/2014/01/12/micro-colleges-and-pop-university). Hastac.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150412113818/http://www.hastac.org/blogs/bill-brantley/2014/01/12/micro-colleges-and-pop-university) from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Trimming the Fat – Introducing the Lean Micro-College Model"](https://www.futuristspeaker.com/2013/09/trimming-the-fat-introducing-the-lean-micro-college-model-for-education/). www.futuristspeaker.com. 29 September 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150412050453/http://www.futuristspeaker.com/2013/09/trimming-the-fat-introducing-the-lean-micro-college-model-for-education/) from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["DaVinci Coders given Microdegree-granting authority for its software coding courses"](http://www.innovationews.com/DaVinci-Coders-given-Microdegree-granting-authority-for-its-software-coding-courses/). Innovationnews.com. 10 April 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150417071016/http://www.innovationews.com/DaVinci-Coders-given-Microdegree-granting-authority-for-its-software-coding-courses/) from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Gordon, Adam. ["'MicroMasters' Surge As MOOCs Go From Education To Qualification"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamgordon/2018/02/13/voice-of-employers-rings-out-as-moocs-go-from-education-to-qualification/#3a218197564b). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210129001415/https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamgordon/2018/02/13/voice-of-employers-rings-out-as-moocs-go-from-education-to-qualification/#3a218197564b) from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["MIT MicroMasters Begins On-Campus Phase -- Campus Technology"](https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/02/06/mit-micromasters-begins-on-campus-phase.aspx). *Campus Technology*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010248/https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/02/06/mit-micromasters-begins-on-campus-phase.aspx) from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.

v t e Levels of academic degree Undergraduate ISCED level 5 Associate degree Foundation degree Higher National Diploma / ​Diploma of Higher Education / ​Certificate of Higher Education ISCED level 6 Bachelor's degree Honours degree Postgraduate ISCED level 7 Diplom degree Engineer's degree Master's degree Postgraduate diploma/​certificate Candidate of Philosophy ISCED level 8 Doctorate Candidate of Sciences Other Postdoctoral Docent Fellow Habilitation Higher doctorate Tenure No dominant classification Academic certificate Artist diploma Certificate of Advanced Study External degree Graduate certificate Graduate diploma Higher diploma Laurea Licentiate Magister degree Microdegree Professional degree Specialist degree/​diploma Terminal degree Unearned Ad eundem degree Honorary degree Master of Arts (Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Microdegree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdegree) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdegree?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.