Microcredentials and Badges Policy

General Information

Integrative Curricular Microcredentials (ICMs) were approved by the College Senate in spring 2020.  Curricular requirements include: Completion of curricular components of 6-12 credits (2-4 courses), documentation of applied learning element, and documentation of self-reflective element.  Completion generates a college-branded badge and a transcript notation.  ICMs are proposed through the college curriculum process. They require approval by UCC or GAAC and go through two readings of College Senate. They do not require SUNY or NYSED approval.  ICMs are listed in the Bulletin and with SUNY.

Professional Development Microcredentials (PDMs) allow the college to document mastery of certain skills or competencies following participation in a non-credit continuing education or professional development program. The main audience for PDMs are non-matriculated learners (e.g., alumni, pre-college, or adult learners in the community) who are participating in non-credit learning opportunities offered by the college. PDMs require a learning plan or agreement that includes: the microcredential description, learning outcomes, skills, and required activities that include documentation of deliverables and a self-reflective component.  Completion generates a college-branded competency badge only (no transcript notation). Permission to offer PDMs is approved by the appropriate divisional vice president and administered by the sponsoring office or program. College Senate will be informed when new PDMs are created, substantially modified, or deleted. The cabinet-level administrator who supervises the unit will ensure assessment on a regular basis (not to exceed every five years) and will report results to the College Assessment Council.

Co-Curricular Microcredentials (CCMs) allow the college to document mastery of certain skills or competencies following participation in structured, non-credit co-curricular experiences. The main audience for CCMs are matriculated students who wish to document completion of non-credit learning activities.  CCMs require a plan or learning agreement that includes: description, learning outcomes, skills, and required activities including a documented deliverable and self-reflective component or evaluation.  Completion generates a college-branded competency badge only (no transcript notation).  Permission to offer CCMs is approved by the appropriate divisional vice president and administered by the sponsoring office or program. College Senate should be informed when new CCMs are created, substantially modified, or deleted.  If a CCM is credit-bearing or meets a graduation requirement, it is proposed through the college curriculum process. This requires approval by UCC or GAAC and two readings in College Senate.  The cabinet-level administrator who supervises the unit will ensure assessment on a regular basis (not to exceed every five years) and will report results to the College Assessment Council. 

Attendance Badges allow specific offices to document attendance at campus-sponsored events or activities. Permission to issue attendance badges are approved by the appropriate divisional vice president and administered by the sponsoring office or program. The form of Attendance Badges must be approved by the appropriate cabinet-level administrator in consultation with the Office of College Communications and Marketing.

Approval Process for PDMs and CCMs

• The sponsoring unit fills out a form in Curriculog (or then-current systems) to propose a new PDM or CCM, or to revise an existing PDM or CCM.  The form will be created and uploaded to the system by the sponsoring unit.
• The unit director approves or denies approval for the microcredential in Curriculog
• The Registrar or APAC ensures all microcredential requirements  are adequately addressed and approves or denies approval for the microcredential in Curriculog
• The cabinet-level administrator responsible for supervising the sponsoring unit approves or denies approval for the microcredential in Curriculog
• The College Senate is notified by the APAC of all microcredential applications approved by cabinet-level administrators so all new and revised Microcredentials are included in the College Senate record.
  • The Institutional Research Director tracks new PDMs and CCMs reported to the College Senate for SUNY reporting and inclusion in SUNY’s microcredentials web site
• Any element of PDMs or CCMs that is credit-bearing or meets a college graduation requirement must follow college curricular approval processes.

If an application is not approved at any stage of the process, the microcredential proposal is returned to the sponsoring unit with an explanation and guidance for resubmission.