Boost Your Skills and Stand Out
A microcredential is a series of courses that shows you’ve mastered a new, career-specific skill or competency. In short, it lets employers know you’re proficient in a specialized area, like economic data analysis or nonprofit advocacy. Typically, microcredentials are longer than a single college course but shorter than a certificate or degree program.
For-Credit Microcredentials
Current UWM students can earn for-credit microcredentials to complement their work on their degree. For example, a public health major might pursue a microcredential in Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare. Non-degree students also can earn microcredentials. For them, microcredentials serve as standalone certifications.
For-credit microcredentials will be documented on your UWM transcript. Completion comes with a digital badge that can be used on a resume or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your new skill.
Non-Credit Microcredentials
UWM’s School of Continuing Education offers non-credit microcredentials. These expert-led courses are open to the public and built for working professionals who want to change or boost their career.
There’s no need to apply or enroll; simply choose the microcredential that fits your goals and get started. You’ll also receive a digital badge upon completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microcredentials are designed to help students meet academic and career goals and to help them stand out in a competitive job market. They are intentionally focused on mastery of skills and competencies.
A microcredential is smaller than a minor, certificate or degree and narrower in focus. Credit-bearing microcredentials are 6-12 credits in length. For example, a microcredential could be three courses in length, or 9 credits. The UWM School of Continuing Education offers additional non-credit microcredentials.
UWM Microcredentials:
- Focus on a clear set of competencies/skills and meet the needs of today’s employers and communities with current, relevant, accurate information.
- Provide opportunities for industry/community/education connections and partnerships.
- Can complement traditional credentials (certificate, diploma, degree or post-graduate certificate) or stand alone.
- Are stackable — for example, Nonprofit Management has four microcredentials that can lead to a master’s degree with some additional coursework.
Microcredentials allow students and professionals to gain new knowledge and skills in a shorter time span than it would take to earn a degree. They also offer the opportunity to gain knowledge in an area that may not directly relate to — but complements — their degree program.
UWM microcredentials are open to:
- Current UWM students
- UWM alumni
- Students at other schools/colleges/universities
- Anyone needing to upskill, make a career change or come back to the job market
- Anyone seeking career advancement or a salary increase
- Non-degree seeking students and professionals
Microcredential duration depends largely on subject matter. Most can be completed in one year or less. However, some microcredentials require just one semester.
“Stackable” microcredentials can be combined to help you work toward a degree or certificate, allowing you to tailor your learning experience to your specific goals and interests. These microcredentials, which may come from the same or different disciplines, offer a flexible way to build on your skills over time.
While you can combine microcredentials toward a larger qualification, it’s important to note that not all microcredentials are stackable. Instead, they are designed to help you progress in a way that aligns with your professional development and learning objectives.
The number and variety of UWM microcredentials continue to grow. Currently, UWM offers 10 credit-bearing microcredentials and 4 noncredit microcredentials.
UWM microcredentials are offered in the spring, summer and fall semesters.
UWM credit-bearing microcredentials are 6-12 credits in length and include at least two courses. Non-credit microcredentials vary in length, but are typically shorter than a semester.
Yes, microcredentials at UWM are available at both undergraduate and graduate levels. They’re also available for non-degree students interested in pursuing a microcredential.
Depending upon the subject matter, UWM microcredentials may be offered fully online, fully on campus, or as a hybrid of the two formats.
No, microcredentials do not expire.
Upon earning a UWM microcredential, you will receive a digital badge. This badge is a visual representation of your achievement and can be shared in prominent locations such as social media profiles, personal websites or professional platforms. Sharing your badges allows you to highlight specific skills and competencies, making them visible to current or prospective employers and showcasing your expertise.
Current UWM Students
Enroll through PAWS as you would for other classes; be sure to check whether you have any required prerequisites.
Non-UWM Students
Non-degree students will need to apply to UWM as a guest student at either the undergraduate or graduate level before they can earn a for-credit microcredential.
To enroll in a non-credit microcredential, register through UWM’s School of Continuing Education.
Tuition will vary by :
- the number of credits in a for-credit microcredential or by program length for non-credit microcredentials
- whether it is an undergraduate or graduate microcredential
- and whether you are a Wisconsin resident.
Cost and Financial Aid for Non-Degree/Guest Students
How much will studying at UWM cost as a guest student? You can estimate the per credit cost from the latest tuition table as a good guide. Generally, an in-state undergraduate student will pay about $1,700 for a three-credit class. An in-state graduate student will pay about $2,600 for a three-credit class.
Non-degree and guest students are generally not eligible for financial aid.
