UNT Health Fort Worth Microcredentials are learning experiences that verify, validate
and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved and are endorsed
by UNT Health as a whole, having been developed through rigorous processes and designed
to be meaningful and high quality. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates
in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible timespans and tend
to be more narrowly focused.Each UNT Health microcredential is comprised of a series
of milestones, each with their own associated learning materials and assessment requirements.
The key distinction between a “microcredential” and a “short course” is the inclusion
of specific, observed assessments of skill or competency in the focus area of the
microcredential, such that competence with that particular skill has been verified
in a structured and rigorous manner by a team of experts.Many microcredentials at
UNT Health are available for public enrollment, regardless of enrollment or employment
status with the university as a whole. These publicly available microcredentials can
be found in the microcredential catalog. Many UNT Health microcredentials also include accredited continuing education credits
for a variety of health professions; this information can be found on the enrollment
page for each microcredential.
Why earn microcredentials?
Microcredentials are valuable to learners for a number of reasons.
First, they offer an opportunity for focused, skills-based, bite-sized learning outside
of the context of academic degree programs and courses. New degrees aren’t the right
fit for every learner, and new degrees don’t always indicate every important skill
a learner has developed.
Second, employers are increasingly engaging in skills-based hiring. That means employers
are seeking new ways to differentiate between candidates with similar degrees and
experience, and are looking for verification of specific skills that fit the needs
of their organizations. Microcredentials provide the verification of extended training
and demonstrated competence that employers are seeking.
Third, microcredentials frequently can be completed to contribute to professional
requirements to earn continuing education credits. When appropriate, UNT Health microcredentials
can be used to CE requirements in a wide range of health professional fields.
If your organization has a need for a microcredential that is not yet offered at UNT
Health and would like to partner with us, please contact us.
