UB Introduces Micro-credential Program

Published September 1, 2019

Smaller than a minor or certificate, a micro-credential program provides students with credit-bearing opportunities to gain relevant workforce skills – such as intercultural fluency, collaboration, critical thinking and leadership – without the financial and time commitments of a degree. Students earn digital badges, which are clickable images that house information validating their newly acquired skills. These dynamic credentials can be shared on social media, digital resumes and e-portfolios.

Nursing students stand to gain invaluable skills through the program, and many have already taken advantage of the new opportunities.

In collaboration with the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing offers the Addressing Public Health Disparities micro-credential. This program enables collaboration with non-profit organizations, educators, students and practitioners to function as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide screenings, education and direct patient care.

The International Outreach badge – part of the Addressing Public Health Disparities program – was the first badge awarded by the university. Five dental students and two nursing students earned the badge in recognition of their coursework examining public health disparities and participation in a two week medical mission trip to Senegal.

Another offering, the interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) microcredential, verifies and attests that students have achieved interprofessional collaboration skills and competencies, such as teamwork, professionalism and communication. These skills are essential for today’s health workforce and are highly valued by employers. As of May 2019, 22 nursing students received two of the three badges required to earn the IPCP micro-credential.