Micro-Credentials

At Charlotte, you have the opportunity to not only design your career with an academic major or minor, but also through micro-credentials! These short, competency-based pathways provide you with recognition that allows you to demonstrate mastery in a particular area. Pathways developed at Charlotte are meant to be personalized, flexible, and performance-based so that you have a marketable quality to share with employers.

What is a micro-credential?

A micro-credential refers to a small, specialized recognition that demonstrates a person’s skills, knowledge, or accomplishments in a specific area. These credentials are typically focused on narrow, well-defined competencies and are designed to be more flexible, accessible, and time-efficient compared to traditional degree programs or larger certifications.

They are short in duration, taking anywhere from a few days to several months to achieve, developed to be relevant to industry needs, can be stackable to build up to larger qualifications, and assessment-based where learners are typically required to demonstrate their proficiency through practical tasks, experiences, and knowledge.

Micro-credentials have gained popularity as a means for individuals to upskill or reskill in specific areas to meet the evolving demands of the job market. Additionally, they provide employers with a way to identify and validate candidates’ competencies for specific roles without the need for a full-fledged degree

How do I earn a micro-credential?

Micro-credentials are new for Charlotte, but the process is very much like applying for any campus program experience. Because each micro-credential is built and managed by individual departments, pay close attention to application procedures.

How are these different than a certificate, minor, or major?

The main difference between a micro-credential and a certificate, minor, or major is simply the length of time it takes to complete the experience. Additionally, micro-credentials are not tied to specific curricular programs and therefore do not apply towards your normal 120 credit hours needed to graduate with an undergraduate degree.

When deciding on whether to do a micro-credential, certificate program, or a minor you should always consider your end goal. Take stock as to what skills and experiences employers are demanding from talent, what are some of the upcoming skillsets of the future, and what time you have available to complete these micro-credentials.

How do I market these in my career?

What’s cool about the micro-credential program is the digital badges you will receive that can easily be marketed in your LinkedIn profile, demonstrated on your resume, or your eportfolio. Micro-credentials are a great way to prove to an employer the knowledge and depth of experience with very specific skillsets and experiences that help showcase your expertise. These can help set you apart from the rest of the talent pool!

How do I get started?

When you are ready to start your micro-credential journey, check out the available options below and their application details!

This pathway helps you navigate numerous opportunities to engage with the community, and encourages you to build on those experiences while cultivating and articulating your own civic identity

The GESP is a professional development opportunity to develop global competencies to prepare undergraduate students to work in global and culturally different contexts within Charlotte, the United States, or abroad

Program to help students develop entrepreneurial thinking skills and make an impact with their ideas through co-curricular activities and impactful learning

Provides students with skills and confidence to provide support, connect with peers with appropriate resources, and respond effectively to mental health, interpersonal violence, substance use, identity-based issues, and medical emergencies

Educational program to learn healthy behaviors, skills, and strategies to create a safer campus culture free of interpersonal violence.