How to Propose a New Microcredential At McMaster
To launch a microcredential at McMaster, a proposal must be put forward and approved according to the following general process:
- Develop Concept: A group interested in developing new microcredential(s) must develop a comprehensive proposal including well-defined objectives, learning outcomes, curriculum and admission requirements (if applicable).
- Identifying Microcredential Host Partner: Individuals interested in offering a new microcredential should identify the body (Faculty, INSPIRE Office or McMaster Continuing Education) responsible for its initial review and for taking the proposal forward to the CDM Committee.
- Proposal Submission to CDM Committee: A Faculty, the INSPIRE Office or McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) take new proposals forward for review by the CDM committee. Individuals should first identify the appropriate body to work with during the development of their microcredential(s). With the exception of McMaster Continuing Education, groups that are not academic departments or Faculty-based units should contact and work with the INSPIRE Office.
- Proposal Submission to Undergraduate or Graduate Council: Proposals make a recommendation to Undergraduate or Graduate Council.
Proposal and Approval Criteria for New Microcredentials
Criteria for All Proposals
The CDM Committee and Undergraduate/Graduate Council will look for:
- Well-defined objective(s)
- Well-defined learning outcomes
- Curriculum to meet learning outcomes
- Admission requirements (if applicable)
Additional Criteria for Academic Microcredentials
Academic microcredentials must:
- Be at a level of intellectual rigour comparable to undergraduate or graduate degree programs in similar fields (this will be assessed by the Faculty most relevant to the content of the microcredential)
- Include a systematic evaluation of Student performance by methods usually used in degree courses, such as tests, essays, reports, narrative responses, interviews and/or other assignments.
Selecting a Partner to Host Your Microcredential
Microcredentials can be hosted with Faculties, McMaster Continuing Education (MCE), or the INSPIRE Office. Whether a course is brought forward and delivered through a Faculty, MCE or INSPIRE could depend on the target audience (e.g., internal or external learners, students or professionals) and the content (e.g., level of interdisciplinarity) of the micro-credential.
Additional Information on Proposing A Microcredential
Microcredentials typically tend to be 6-18 hours in length. For academic microcredentials, one academic unit typically corresponds to 10-15 academic contact hours.
Certificates of Completion require a minimum of 30 contact hours whereas Certificates of Attendance have no minimum contact hours.
For Academic Microcredentials, any changes to the course description or requirements must be approved by the CDM committee and Undergraduate or Graduate Council.
For non-academic microcredentials, the phrase Non-Academic Microcredential must appear in the credential name (e.g. Non-Academic Microcredential in Outdoor Leader Training).
For academic microcredentials, the phrase Microcredential must appear in the credential name (e.g., Microcredential in Project Management)
For Certificates of Completion, the phrase Certificate of Completion must be included in the credential name (for example, the Teaching and Learning Foundations Certificate of Completion).
For Certificates of Attendance, the phrase Certificate of Attendance must appear in the credential name (for example, the Medical Acupuncture Program Certificate of Attendance)
Learner Experience and Recognition
Services and Learning Infrastructure Available to Students Learn More
Access to McMaster services and learning management systems (e.g., Microsoft 365 and Teams) vary depending on whether learners are enrolled in academic or non-academic microcredentials
Providing Student Recognition Learn More
A microcredential can be issued by McMaster Continuing Education (MCE), the Faculty in which the microcredential is based, or the INSPIRE Office.
Transcripts Learn More
Recognition of microcredentials on student transcripts varies by the type of microcredential
Review of Student Evaluations Learn More
Students enrolled in academic microcredentials have access to existing Student appeal procedures while students enrolled in non-academic microcredentials must request a review from the Faculty Standing Committee on Microcredentials or McMaster Continuing Education.
Charging Student Fees
Microcredentials charging a fee must submit fee proposals to the University Student Fees Committee (USFC) for approval. This approval should be sought before submission of the microcredential proposal to Undergraduate or Graduate Council.
Issuing Tax Forms to Learners Learn More
Tax forms should be issued to students in accordance with CRA guidelines.
Resources and Supports for Developing Microcredentials
INSPIRE Office Contact INSPIRE
INSPIRE offers proposal support and issues microcrentials to those looking to host a microcredential through INSPIRE. INSPIRE also offers consultation for those in the initial processes of developing a microcredential and identifying which group (INSPIRE, MCE or Faculty) to house the microcredential in.
Key supports: Advice on concepts; guidance on governance and approvals; information on upcoming grants
MacPherson Institute
The MacPherson Institute offers a range of supports and resources to relevant to teaching and learning scholarship, including education and course design.
Key supports: curriculum and course development supports, professional development programming for teaching excellence
McMaster Continuing Education Contact MCE
McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) hosts a range of microcredential programs across areas such as business, health, technology, and professional development.
Key supports: guidance on proposing and hosting microcredentials through MCE
Office of Community Engagement Visit the OCE
To promote alignment of a microcredential with real-world needs, consultation and collaboration is encouraged with community partners and/or employers. The Office of Community Engagement (OCE) may be able to connect educators with relevant community partners.
Key supports: facilitating connections with local employers, community organizations, and community-engaged campus groups
Expandable List
The eCampus Ontario Micro-credential Framework was developed by post-secondary institutions, employers, and public agencies and encourages alignment with the following principles when designing microcredentials:
- Relevance: Micro-credentials will only be issued for competencies that are currently relevant to the labour market. Relevance is achieved through consultation and partnership between employers, community partners and post-secondary institutions in the development and delivery of the course.
- Verifiability: Micro-credentials will be verifiable, and integrity will be maintained.
- Ownership: Once awarded, micro-credentials and associated data will be the property of the earner
- Extensibility: Micro-credentials will be designed to facilitate continuous pathway for lifelong learning, where possible.
Explore the eCampus Ontario Micro-credential Principles and Framework here.