The University of Maine at Presque Isles’ Implementation of Micro-Credentials

Nicole Fournier, Director of Career Readiness, and Shannon Sleeper, Director of University Experience and Experiential Learning with the Title III Project, both at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (External Link) (UMPI), recently took some time to answer some questions about the micro-credentials they are implementing. 

At UMPI micro-credentials and badges are implemented in academic programs as well as within student life programming. 

“I really appreciate the UMS Initiative with micro-credentials. I think they’re the wave of the future as far as allowing our students to articulate skills they have to future employers… micro-credentials also give them a way to open those conversations up with future employers and an ability to share what they know.” – Shannon Sleeper

The Career-Prepared micro-credential (External Link) was designed by a collaborative team from several UMS campuses. At UMPI, this micro-credential is implemented through Career Services and the learner completes their Level 3 experiential learning opportunity in capstone courses. The Career Prepared pathway helps UMPI students to prepare for internships as well as employment opportunities after they graduate. Recipients gain knowledge and skills in career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, and job search strategies. 

The Career Prepared Micro-Credential pathway has been implemented at several other campuses including the University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Fort Kent, University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine. 

Additionally, the Financial Literacy micro-credential (External Link) provides learners with the competency to manage their own finances and to understand basic financial management concepts. The Financial Literacy Pathway was designed by University of Maine Augusta’s New Ventures Program and implemented in Spring 2022.

“All of my students appreciated the Financial Literacy [micro-credential]. They were all so invested [and] learned so much. It didn’t matter if they were new to finances or if they were homeowners with mortgages… they really welcomed the information and were grateful that they [had] the opportunity to roll through some content at their own pace and attain that new knowledge.” Shannon Sleeper

The Financial Literacy micro-credential will also be implemented in UMPI’s University Experience (UNV) (External Link) courses. 

Nicole commented on the benefits of having the three leveled framework to guide the process of development. 

 “I think having the three steps helps us explain to students: ‘This is where you’re at now, this is how we’re going to support you in learning, and this is where you’re going to be when you earn that final credential.’” – Nicole Fournier

UMPI faculty and staff also recognize the great need for students to develop employer requested 21st Century skills. Faculty and staff are verifying transferable skills learned in their academic courses, using the standards set by the Education Design Lab (External Link) (EDL).  Both Organizational Communication (BUS/COM 210) and Business Communication (PCJ 215) courses have been mapped to the EDL Oral Communication (External Link) badge, providing these learners with the opportunity to earn the badge while working through coursework. Students must meet the standard in order to obtain the badge. 

The UMS Micro-Credential Initiative provides a streamlined process for faculty and staff to map content using the Education Design Lab’s rubrics. Learners are assessed on four sub-competencies to meet the criteria to earn a skills badge. Currently, there are eight 21st Century skills offered: Initiative, Creative Problem Solving, Collaboration, Intercultural Fluency, Critical Thinking, Oral Communication, Empathy and, Resilience. 

Nicole and Shannon are hoping to offer the Leadership and Information Literacy Micro-Credentials in the near future. We would like to congratulate them on the progress made and we look forward to see what will come next!

“I think we’ll always be looking to add more [micro-credentials]… we’re not done yet.” – Nicole Fournier

Visit the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) website (External Link) to learn about other opportunities at UMPI. To contact either Nicole Fournier or Shannon Sleeper, visit the UMPI campus directory webpage (External Link). 

UMS Micro-Credential Initiative – January 2023 Newsletter