Microcredentials Policy

PURPOSE:

Jefferson Community College believes students may enhance and extend their academic experience by earning quality microcredentials that verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved.

DEFINITIONS:

Certain terms are used in this document with specific meanings, as defined in this section.

1. The term “Microcredential” is used to refer to a cluster of credit-bearing coursework ranging from 6 to 23 credit hours.
2. The phrase “Periodic Review” is an assessment process used to measure the effectiveness of a curricular program.
3. The term “residency” refers to the amount of microcredential coursework that must be completed at the home college in order to be considered a student at the College.

STATEMENT OF POLICY:

1. Any member or group of the College may develop a Microcredential using the Guiding Principles of SUNY's Microcredential Policy that document learner achievement in competencies needed for post-graduate success, reskilling, or upskilling.
2. Jefferson Microcredentials will be titled “name” (Example: “Non-Profit Leadership" Microcredential).
3. Each proposed microcredential must include:
   1. All course requirements for such microcredential;
   2. The College residency requirement for such microcredential;
   3. The minimum course requirements to be completed after enrolling for such microcredential;
   4. The minimum GPA requirement, to be no lower than 2.0, for coursework for such microcredential.
4. Each proposed microcredential is reviewed and recommended for approval by the College Senate Curriculum Committee and for final approval by the College Senate. Deactivating a microcredential also requires the approval of the Curriculum Committee as well as final approval by the Senate.
5. Microcredentials are awarded upon successful completion of the specific requirements for that credential.
6. Each Microcredential will be documented and awarded to currently enrolled students through the Registrar’s office. The Registrar’s Office will be responsible for maintaining permanent records of awarded credentials.
7. Microcredentials are assessed as part of the College’s periodic review cycle.
8. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for overseeing this policy.

MICROCREDENTIALS POLICY
Revised:  Res. 185-22, November 2022