AA/PPS 02.01.12 - Micro-credentials

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to maintaining a well-designed, effective process for developing micro-credentials.

1. SCOPE

   1. This policy provides a framework for developing and administering micro-credentials at Texas State University. The goal is to offer flexible, stackable credentials that allow learners to acquire specific competencies aligned with workforce needs. These credentials enhance employability and offer a pathway for both personal and professional growth. This policy provides guidance and summarizes the key elements of the micro-credential development and approval process.

   2. This policy applies to micro-credentials created, issued, and maintained by Texas State for degree- and non-degree-seeking students.

   3. This policy conforms to the rules, regulations, and policies of The Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the institutional accreditor.

2. DEFINITIONS

   1. Approver – the committee, group, or individual responsible for assessing the rigor of prospective credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing micro-credentials and ensuring alignment with relevant university policies. At Texas State, this would be completed by the Micro-credential Committee. The Micro-credential Committee approves individual micro-credentials and stackability pathways. Degree audit specialists implement approved stackability in Degree Works. Academic advisors and Graduate College staff counsel students on stackability options.

   2. Cluster – a group of micro-credentials that can be linearly or nonlinearly combined to lead to a micro-pathway.

   3. Co-sponsored micro-credential – a co-designed and co-sponsored micro credential through multiple internal programs or with an external organization, institution, or employer.

   4. Competency-based – this approach focuses on learners’ demonstrated ability to apply skills or knowledge evaluated through assessment.

   5. Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) – a digital, verifiable record that captures a learner’s achievements across curricular, co-curricular, and experiential learning environments. Unlike a traditional transcript, it includes competencies, skills, and learning outcomes – providing a holistic view of student development. CLRs support micro-credentials by validating granular learning and aligning with workforce needs.

   6. Credit-bearing – micro-credentials that contribute to academic credit and are subject to curricular review by Curriculum and Academic Programs. Micro-credentials will be entered under a new credential. Micro-credentials will be an option in the PIM form. Credit-bearing micro-credentials will be designated as undergraduate or graduate level and follow appropriate approval processes for each level.

   7. Digital Badge – a portable, shareable electronic credential representing completion of a micro-credential or participation in a professional activity.

   8. Digital Wallet – a secure platform (often blockchain-enabled) where learners store and manage their digital credentials, such as CLRs, badges, diplomas, and LERs. They enable individuals to control and share their learning records with employers, institutions, and other stakeholders. Digital wallets are essential for ensuring credential interoperability, learner agency, and seamless integration in talent ecosystems.

   9. Embedded – a micro-credential for which requirements are fulfilled within existing degree program courses.

   10. Engagement Badge – digital badge not associated with a micro-credential, earned for attendance, participation, to demarcate hours towards a project, or completion. No assessment required. Examples include attendance, hour completion, volunteer hours, and experiential learning.

   11. External Partner – industry/businesses/other institutions/state agencies/other organizations/professional organizations/student organizations that contribute to the creation of micro-credentials. Instructors for credit-bearing micro-credentials, particularly at the graduate level, must meet all existing faculty qualification requirements. Credit-bearing micro-credentials must be taught by faculty meeting the qualifications specified in university policies for the relevant level (undergraduate or graduate). Graduate-level credit-bearing micro-credentials require instructors with graduate faculty status.

   12. Internal Partner – micro-credential creation co-contributor within Texas State.

   13. Issuer – Texas State is the issuer for Texas State credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing micro-credentials. Academic units and programs can co-sponsor Texas State micro-credentials. Internal and external partners can issue engagement badges.

   14. Learner – an individual who participates in a micro-credentialing program to earn a digital badge or certificate.

   15. Learning and Employment Record (LER) – a learner-owned, digital record that integrates verified educational achievements, skills, and employment history. It allows for secure, portable sharing across platforms and institutions and is designed to support lifelong learning and career mobility. LERs can include CLRs, industry certifications, licenses, and employer-issued credentials, making them a broader framework for talent signaling.

   16. Micro-credential – a concise, shareable credential that provides verified evidence of in-demand skills and specialized knowledge. Micro-credentials are attained through concise learning experiences that focus narrowly on in-demand competencies or marketable skills. “Micro” means that the maximum length is 135 instructional hours (or approximately nine credits for credit-bearing micro-credentials); “credential” means that it is academic or competency-based and are not awarded for participation. A credit-bearing micro-credential minimum length is 15 instructional hours (or approximately one credit hour). Micro-credentials are stackable and may be combined to include more instructional hours. Texas State micro-credentials verify, validate, and attest that specific transferable and marketable skills and/or competencies have been achieved. Credit-bearing courses applied toward a micro-credential must be completed within four years of earning the credential, consistent with university certificate policies.

   17. Micro-credential Committee – The Micro-credential Committee is composed of three faculty and three staff with existing knowledge related to micro-credentials, with an additional representative from the existing pool of college curriculum committee chairs, and an additional representative from the existing pool of department curriculum committee chairs: for a total of eight members. Members are appointed, and the chair is chosen from amongst the members.

   18. Micro-pathway – a sequence or cluster of two or more micro-credentials that are taken as a group to align to in-demand careers and/or academic degree paths.

   19. Non-credit-bearing – credentials that do not contribute to academic credit but offer learners skills that enhance professional development or personal growth.

   20. Non-embedded – a standalone micro-credential that is not part of a degree program.

   21. Sequence – a group of micro-credentials that must be taken in a linear order as decided by issuers, partners, and the institution at the time of micro-credential proposal.

   22. Skills Taxonomy – terms to describe skills that are defined by higher education or employers.

   23. Sponsor – departments or organizations, external or internal to Texas State, that support the creator and/or creation of the micro-credential.

   24. Stackable – micro-credentials’ ability to be combined or sequenced to build qualifications and move the individual along a career pathway or degree program. Credit-bearing micro-credentials may be stacked toward degree programs if earned within four years of degree conferral and if approved by the relevant college/program. Micro-credentials may be sequential or non-sequential as defined below:

       1. Sequential micro-credentials – a micro-credential that must be taken in a specific order; or

       2. Non-sequential micro-credentials – a micro-credential that can be completed in any order or simultaneously.

3. DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVAL

   1. Micro-credentials will adhere to the standards defined by the rubric and minimum hours required, as decided by the implementation team in discussion with stakeholders. The number of hours required to complete a micro-credential will vary depending on the topic and stackability. Micro-credentials must adhere to structured instruction with clearly defined learning outcomes or competencies and aligned assessments to measure achievement.

      1. Implementation Team – the group responsible for operationalizing the micro-credential policy, including representatives from Curriculum and Academic Programs, Information Technology, the Registrar’s office, colleges, library, and the Micro-credential Committee.

      2. Stakeholders – faculty, departments, colleges, students, industry partners, and other university administrative units who have a stake in micro-credential development and implementation at Texas State.

   2. Micro-credentials should align with known competency standards whenever possible but minimally should list skills from a Texas State-accepted skills taxonomy, such as Lightcast, Open Skills Network, or Western Governor’s University Skills Library.

   3. Curriculum and Academic Programs will facilitate micro-credentials review using the existing curriculum management systems (e.g., CIM, PIM) as the infrastructure.

   4. Texas State micro-credentials will be created to be meaningful, high-quality, accessible, stackable, and portable by adhering to established governance processes for approval and principles for awarding.

   5. Faculty, departments, or colleges can propose micro-credential programs. Proposals must outline the skills or competencies, target audience, learning outcomes, and assessment methods.

   6. Micro-credential proposals should be entered into the curriculum management system (e.g., CIM, PIM) for review during a curriculum cycle.

   7. The Micro-credential Committee will oversee all micro-credential development, including reviewing and approving proposals, managing assessment criteria, and ensuring the use of industry-recognized competency standards. The committee will regularly review the micro-credential portfolio and make recommendations to ensure relevance and rigor.

   8. The Micro-credential Committee will review all micro-credential proposals for rigor, alignment with institutional goals, and relevance to industry standards. The committee must approve micro-credentials before implementation, ensuring adherence to the institution’s quality and consistency standards. Proposals for credit-bearing micro-credentials will follow the curriculum review process involving sponsor department review, Micro-credential Committee assessment, and relevant curriculum committees.

      The following subsections identify the responsible parties and outline the process associated with Section 03.08.

      1. Initiator (e.g., programs/departments) – propose micro-credentials and verify learning outcomes.

      2. Micro-credential Committee – reviews micro-credential proposals, competency/skill-assessment alignment, quality, and rigor.

      3. PIM System – infrastructure for routing proposals through the workflow and the repository for micro-credentials.

      4. Registrar – validates student completion and confer for-credit micro-credentials.

4. ISSUANCE AND MANAGEMENT

   1. Eligibility – Micro-credentials are available to enrolled and non-enrolled learners, including current students, alumni, and professionals seeking career advancement.

   2. Transparency – Each badge will include metadata detailing the criteria for earning the credential, skills acquired, and evidence of completion.

   3. Transferability – Transferability to other institutions or industries must be considered in the development, aligning with recognized industry standards. Texas State cannot guarantee the transferability of micro-credentials

   4. Assessment and Evaluation – All micro-credentials must include a clear assessment process to verify that the learner has achieved the specified competencies following the university procedures for outcomes-based assessment for a for-credit micro-credential that is not embedded in a regular degree program.

   5. Technological Support – Texas State will maintain a digital platform (e.g., Credly, Parchment Digital Badges, Accredible) for issuing, managing, and verifying digital badges and micro-credentials.

   6. Learner Records – Learners will be able to store, and display earned badges in a digital wallet accessible to employers and other educational institutions.

   7. Learners who complete a credit-bearing micro-credential will have it noted on their academic transcript and be recognized with a digital badge. The Registrar upon verification of completion, will record credit-bearing micro-credentials on transcripts.

   8. Micro-credentials may carry associated costs, which will be determined based on factors such as delivery format, instructional resources, and credential type (credit or non-credit). Pricing structures will be reviewed and approved through the appropriate institutional channels. When applicable, efforts will be made to ensure affordability and access through institutional support, partnerships, or external funding.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. Curriculum and Academic Programs – facilitate the approval process, badge issuance, and integrate micro-credentials into the course catalog for credit-bearing micro-credentials.

   2. Faculty and Departments – propose, design, and implement micro-credentials in alignment with institutional goals.

   3. Micro-credential Committee – review and approve all micro-credential proposals, ensuring alignment with industry standards and institutional rigor.

   4. Marketing – design and/or approve visually distinct digital badges.

   5. Information Technology – maintain the technological infrastructure for badge issuance and learner access.

   6. Internal Partners – ensure compliance with Texas State micro-credential policies and procedures.

   7. External Partners – ensure compliance with micro-credential MOUs.

6. PROPOSAL ROUTING FOR CREDIT-BEARING MICRO-CREDENTIALS

   1. Depending on the scope of the proposed micro-credential, proposals generally require the following reviews:

      1. department or school faculty (from the unit proposing the program addition, change, or deletion);

      2. department or school curriculum committee, or department or school faculty designated as the curriculum committee (if a department or school curriculum committee doesn’t exist);

      3. department chair, program director, or school director;

      4. Micro-credential Committee;

      5. College Curriculum Committee;

      6. College Council;

      7. college dean;

      8. dean of The Graduate College (if applicable for graduate programs);

      9. vice provost for Academic Innovation;

      10. University Curriculum Committee;

      11. Faculty Advisory Group (e.g., Faculty Senate);

      12. Academic Affairs Council;

      13. university vice presidents;

      14. provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs;

      15. president;

      16. TSUS Board of Regents;

      17. the THECB; and

      18. SACSCOC (if applicable as defined in AA/PPS No. 02.01.41, Reporting Substantive Changes to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.)

   2. Detailed instructions for micro-credential additions, changes, and deletions will be maintained on the Curriculum and Academic Programs website, along with review flow charts and timelines.

   3. After a micro-credential proposal has been approved, designated staff in Curriculum and Academic Programs will make all necessary additions, changes, and deletions in the catalogs and Student Information System. The undergraduate academic advisors and The Graduate College staff will work with the Degree Works coordinator to make all necessary additions, changes, and deletions for micro-credentials in the Degree Works system.

   4. If a micro-credential receives a negative vote or is denied at any level, the proposal will be returned to the originating faculty for review and possible revisions and can be resubmitted for future consideration.

7. PROPOSAL ROUTING FOR NON-CREDIT-BEARING MICROCREDENTIALS

   1. Depending on the scope of the proposed micro-credential, proposals generally require the following reviews:

      1. initiator;

      2. supervisor (e.g., director, chair, vice provost and/or vice president, etc.);

      3. Micro-credential Committee;

      4. associate vice provost for Curriculum and Academic Programs.

8. REVIEWERS OF THIS PPS

   1. Reviewers of this PPS include the following:

      Position	Date
      Vice Provost for Academic Innovation	October 1 E5Y
      Associate Vice Provost for Curriculum and Academic Programs	October 1 E5Y
      Chair, University Curriculum Committee	October 1 E5Y

9. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

   This PPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State Academic Affairs policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

   Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

   Senior Vice Provost

   Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs