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INSPIRE Office of Flexible Learning

Types of Microcredentials

McMaster University defines a microcredential as a “designation of achievement of a coherent set of skills, competencies, or knowledge, specified by a statement of purpose, learning outcomes, and potential need by employers and/or in the community”. Microcredentials typically consist of one or more short courses focused on retraining, upskilling or expanding learners’ education, with each course typically between 6-18 hours in length. McMaster offers Academic and Non-Academic Microcredentials, each with different requirements. Academic Microcredentials are further divided into Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Microcredentials. More details can be found below and in McMaster’s Certificates, Diplomas and Microcredentials Policy (2023). 

Academic and Non-Academic Microcredentials

McMaster offers two distinct types of microcredentials—academic and non-academic. Non-academic microcredentials can also be stacked toward a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Attendance.

 

Academic Microcredentials  

Non-Academic Microcredentials 

Academic requirements 
  • Meet the same standards as academic coursework but do not have minimum credit hours that the coursework must be completed within. 
  • They have designated credits typically not exceeding one unit level. 
  • Do not meet the requirements for academic coursework, and rather demonstrate that an individual has completed learning activities related to a coherent set of skills, competencies, or knowledge. 

Assessment  
  • Typically letter graded (have traditional evaluative components such as projects and exams). 
  • Typically graded as Pass/Fail. 

 

Admission requirements 
  • Have specified admission requirements. 
  • No specific admission requirements. 

Student and learner supports 
  • Within the Certificates, Diplomas, and Microcredentials policy, individuals taking academic microcredentials are referred to as “Students” and have access to a wider range of University resources (e.g., Learning Management Systems) and services than those taking non-academic microcredentials. 

 
  • Within the Certificates, Diplomas, and Microcredentials policy, individuals taking non-academic microcredentials are referred to as “Learners” and do not have access to certain University resources (e.g., Learning Management Systems) and services.

 

Stacking and transfer of credentials 
  • May stack together for credit toward another credential in specific contexts. 
  • In some specific cases, academic microcredentials taken as part of a graduate diploma program may be considered for credit toward a subsequent Master’s degree program. 
  • These credentials cannot transferred to an academic microcredential or be used as credit toward any academic credential, though they may be stacked to achieve a Certificate of Completion. 

 

Differences between certificates of completion and attendance

Non-academic microcredentials can be stacked toward a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Attendance. Certificates of Completion involve programming with a minimum of 30 contact hours and with learner assessment. Certificates of Attendance do not involve learner evaluation. They cannot be stacked towards a Certificate of Completion. Further similarities and differences between the two types of certificates are outlined below:  

 

Certificate of Completion  

Certificate of Attendance 
Academic requirements 
  • Acknowledges that an individual has completed a course or program at McMaster that does not meet the requirements of an academic program. 
  • A Certificate of Completion can be issued when a non-academic course or program includes a minimum of 30 contact hours and evaluation of the Learner’s learning. Certificates of Completion may include academic content if the course or courses have been approved for credit toward another credential. 
  • Acknowledges that an individual has participated in a set of activities at McMaster that does not meet the requirements of an academic program. 
Purpose 
  • Suitable for various types of life-long learning and career-related courses and programs. 
  • Certificate activities are designed to meet the interests and objectives of participants who may want to acquire general knowledge or training for career related purposes, but who neither require nor seek any form of professional or academic recognition. 
Assessment 
  • Learning is evaluated.  
  • No evaluation of learning. 
Admission requirements 
  • Normally, there are no specific admission requirements. 
  • Normally, there are no specific admission requirements. 
Credit toward degree or other program studies 
  • Normally, there is no credit granted towards degree program studies, unless the course or courses making up the Certificate of Completion have been approved for credit as part of a degree, diploma or certificate. 
  • There is no credit granted toward additional credentials. 
  • Cannot be stacked toward a Certificate of Attendance. 

Microcredential Examples Across McMaster

The following examples give a sense of the different ways that McMaster is delivering microcredentials.

Certificate of Completion in Sustainability Learn More

Type: Non-Academic Certificate of Completion

Description: Whether you want to launch a career in Sustainability or expand your knowledge of sustainable environment, economic and societal best practices, our online program can help.

Lead: McMaster Continuing Education

MMRI Industrial Training Program Learn More

Type: Non-Academic Microcredential or Certificate?

Description: This program is designed for industry professionals, whether you entered the working world with a college diploma or earned a PhD. As a specialized, skill-building further education opportunity in advanced manufacturing, the program will complement your prior experience and education, and challenge you to find solutions to today’s problems.

Lead: Faculty of Engineering – McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute