How Industry Micro-Credentials Are Transforming Higher Education
Scott Shireman, Global Head of Coursera for Campus
Career outcomes are a top decision-making factor for students selecting their higher education institution. Enhancing curricula to better align with in-demand skills used by today’s employers is therefore a top priority for higher education institutions.
Industry micro-credentials, such as Professional Certificates offered through Coursera’s Career Academy, are emerging as a favored solution for bridging the curriculum-to-career gap. These certificates are designed to equip students with the specific skills needed for in-demand, entry-level jobs, particularly in digital roles.
Our latest e-book, The Professional Certificate Playbook, explores how higher education institutions globally are implementing industry micro-credentials in different ways to drive career outcomes for students. These certificates can be offered as non-credit options or integrated into the curriculum for credit, providing flexibility in implementation.
Why Industry Micro-Credentials Matter
- Student-Centric: Coursera’s recent survey shows that students are 76% more likely to enroll in a program offering industry micro-credentials.
- Employer-Approved: The same survey found that 88% of employers agree that Professional Certificates add value to a candidate’s job application.
Global Success Stories: A Quick Look
Many higher education institutions around the world are successfully integrating industry micro-credentials into their curriculum and positively impacting student engagement, employability, and institutional outcomes.
Among these include the University of Arizona, which offers Professional Certificates as a free, co-curricular opportunity. Their Student Engagement & Career Development office found early success promoting Professional Certificates to equity-deserving students. Faculty also have access, which has helped recruit internal champions for the program.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK) in Finland began offering Professional Certificates from Coursera as part of a program revamp for career-oriented learning. The certificates are available to students as for-credit electives during their first three years. Since launching, more than 1,300 enrolled students have taken more than 10,000 lessons from the certificates.
Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT) in India offers Professional Certificates as non-credit options for students through the career services office. Their focus is on in-demand roles such as software engineering and data science. LNCT graduates that have earned Professional Certificates credit their experience with helping them start “dream careers.”
Implementation Options
As validated by the global success stories, industry micro-credentials can be implemented in a flexible manner. Platforms like Coursera’s Career Academy offer a ready-made solution, allowing you to offer Professional Certificates from industry leaders like Google, Meta, IBM, and Salesforce.
With demand for job skills at an all-time high, industry micro-credentials offer a win-win solution for both students and higher education institutions. They not only enhance the value of traditional degree programs but also prepare students for the real-world challenges they will face in the job market.
If you’re a university decision-maker looking to advance your institution and drive outcomes for students, now is the time to consider implementing Career Academy.
To learn more about how you can bring industry micro-credentials to your institution, download the Professional Certificate Playbook today.
