Microcredential proposals can originate from faculty and staff who want to recognize meaningful learning and skill development across UMBC’s learning experiences—whether for-credit or non-credit, curricular or co-curricular, undergraduate or graduate, or professional development for faculty and staff.
Microcredential proposals move through six steps:
Short Form → Intake Consult → Long Form → Badge Build → MRB Review → Issuance
1. Submit the Short Form
Begin by completing a brief online form describing your microcredential concept. Proposers will identify the proposed title, learning outcomes, earning criteria, and the experience where it will be offered. Use the linked template if you wish to draft responses in advance. The form is designed to be completed in 20 minutes or less.
This submission notifies Digital Credential Innovation of your intent and initiates the workflow.
2. Participate in an Intake Consultation
Once the short form is submitted, the proposer(s) will meet with the Program Director and any relevant stakeholders. This consultation clarifies your goals, ensures alignment across outcomes, assessments, and earning criteria, and confirms the proposal’s scope and feasibility.
Proposers will leave the meeting with guidance for completing the long-form proposal.
3. Complete the Long-Form Proposal
The long-form proposal expands on the proposer’s initial submission and includes assessment details, evidence requirements, external skill or competency frameworks (e.g., NACE), and contextual information about the learning experience.
4. Badge Build and Technical Setup
Once the long form is received, Digital Credential Innovation will create a draft badge in UMBC’s digital credentialing platform. You will be invited to review the badge for accuracy, language, and clarity before it moves forward.
5. Microcredential Review Board (MRB) Evaluation
Completed proposals are evaluated by the Microcredential Review Board. The MRB applies UMBC’s review rubric to assess alignment, rigor, relevance, and transparency.
Feedback and revision requests will be shared with the proposer. Once all criteria are met, the microcredential is approved for issuance and added to UMBC’s credential portfolio.
6. Issuing Microcredentials
After MRB approval, the microcredential is ready to issue to learners. Issuance may occur through Blackboard integration or by submitting eligible earners through a secure ticketing process. Digital Credential Innovation provides support for both approaches.
Questions about the process? Contact Digital Credential Innovation or submit a ticket through microcredentials.umbc.edu/request