In the current economy, short-term career training, also knowns as workforce development, continuing education, or noncredit programs, are key to turning the market and getting people back to work quickly.
This is where stackable credentials come into play. When developing noncredit programs, part of the design process should include consulting with credit faculty on ways to integrate credit and noncredit programs. This applies both to training agencies only providing noncredit classes and to colleges which are providing noncredit courses. Even when programs have already been created, stacking this to create pathways, and providing credit for these, is a strategy worth exploring.
Noncredit to credit pathways should be done at the start of program design, and not as an after-thought. But even after, noncredit to credit pathways are a great tool for any institution. Not just to help students, but also, to increase enrollment. Some key items to keep in mind when creating noncredit to credit pathways that are worthy of mentioning are:
Noncredit programs can be used as a recruitment tool. Noncredit coursework allows students to get a “taste” of college without the stress of multiple courses, college clubs, and other credit-related demands on their time, until they are ready for them. After the student is a member of the college providing credit is a way to incite the student to continue their education and follow the next step in their career ladder.
Second benefit revolves around using noncredit courses to market the college and its programs. The attraction of completing an accelerated course and getting into employment are powerful marketing tools for any school.
The third key benefit is retention. Noncredit programs can also provide the path to employment that will help the student complete their degree. Currently, many students start working early on, and due to family or personal responsibilities, need to be employed while they are studying. Noncredit programs can help the student secure employment in their career field, which allows them to gain experience while providing for themselves. This will also help them engage with the field and expand their knowledge in the career and create a social capital that will be important to their success in the future.
As an added benefit, student completion may increase. Awarding credits for the noncredit coursework will help complete students complete their degree faster as one or more classes can be waived after credits are awarded. Adding other options to obtain credit, like Prior Learning Assessment, CLEP/DANTE, and accelerated courses are great ways to increase your student completion.
The process of obtaining credit for noncredit courses can be done internally, or with the help of an outside institution. Here are some options:
- Through an internal and external articulation agreements.
- Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
- From a college that specializes in this process.
- Through the American College of Education (ACE) program.
- Excelsior College credit by exam.
- Charter Oak, Connecticut Credit Assessment Program (CCAP).
For the noncredit program, credits will provide validity to the program and a pathway for the student.
Examples of possible career pathways from noncredit to credit:
- Customer Service Specialist with credits in business or computers degrees.
- Entrepreneurship course with credits in a business degree.
- Community Health Worker course with credits in a human services degree.
- Medical coding and billing with credits in a medical assistant degree.
- Nurse Aide Certification (CNA) with credits in human services, or nursing.
- Administrative Medical Assistant courses with credits for an introduction to computers course.
The possibilities are limitless. It is about finding the right balance between the noncredit program and the credit program and working on creating a path.
Best practices, processes and marketing ideas will be discussed in an upcoming video. Upcoming blogs are also coming about student advising around this topic.
Workforce Warrior is an education blog, created by an education professional with 20+ years in all areas of workforce development, and college programming, including admissions, advising, career services and program development. The goal of Workforce Warrior is to pass on the knowledge collected over the years to fellow workforce and college professionals.
Resources
Education Commission of the States – Policy Analysis
American Council on Education (ACE)
Excelsior College – Uexcel® Credit by Exam
Connecticut Credit Assessment Program (CCAP)
Workforce Warrior Blog 