Certification-Degree Pathways Framework

The framework outlines the elements associated with integrating industry certifications into bachelor’s degrees, leading to the development of a successful certification-degree pathway. The framework can be used by certification bodies and universities to test different strategies and practices to better align certification and degree programs. The framework is designed to be accessible to and used by all students — especially those historically underserved. Each pathway would incorporate the individual elements identified in the framework:

Cerificate-Degree Pathways Framework

Leadership buy-in

Faculty

University deans, provosts, and presidents

Certification body executive director and director of certification

Students – new, returning, and enrolled

Employers

Community

Create a common language to facilitate communication and understanding of embedding certifications into bachelor’s degrees

Faculty

Certification body executive director and director of certification

Accreditors

Align competencies assessed on the certification exam to course and/or academic program learning outcomes

Align with competencies with regional workforce needs

Compare competencies between degrees and certifications and identify gaps

Determine appropriate “fit” for certification within an academic program

Course capstone

Program capstone

Align curriculum with competencies for certifications that require a bachelor’s degree as a pre-requisite

After the completion of a series of courses

Allocate resources needed to support the program

Find funding to cover the cost of the certification exam

Promote the program to students

Identify employers who will value and will hire students who have earned the certification and the degree

Support students to pursue the new pathway

Identify how credentials will be communicated to an external audience

Transcripts

Learning and employment records

Badges

Digital portfolios

Cerificate-Degree Pathways Framework

Useful Links

Our Contacts