In today’s competitive job market, a traditional college transcript often fails to capture the full range of a student’s abilities. That’s where microcredentials come in — and Allegheny College is embracing them with a new program launching in the 2025–26 academic year.

Through the initiative, students can earn digital badges in skills-based areas alongside their majors and minors. Credentials in fields such as data analysis, cybersecurity, content creation, and programming will help students demonstrate real-world competencies to employers and graduate schools.

Unlike stand-alone certificate programs, Allegheny’s microcredentials are woven directly into the liberal arts curriculum. Students earn them by completing intentional combinations of existing courses. “Microcredentials don’t replace a degree,” said Jennifer Dearden, Provost and Dean of the Faculty. “They provide another layer — a way to make the outcomes of a liberal arts education more visible and legible to employers and graduate schools.”

What Are Microcredentials?

Microcredentials are verified sets of skills bundled into a digital badge. They can be shared on résumés, portfolios, and platforms like LinkedIn. Each typically requires three courses or experiences that build a clearly defined competency.

Employers increasingly value these credentials. Surveys show most believe microcredentials make job candidates more attractive, particularly in hiring systems that rely on automated screenings. A searchable digital badge in “Software Development” or “Game Design” can stand out in ways a transcript cannot.

“Think of it as a way to connect the dots between your coursework and the workforce,” said President Ron Cole. “It’s about helping students articulate not just what they studied, but what they know how to do.”

Options Across Disciplines

Allegheny’s offerings span more than technology or business. Students can pursue credentials in Editing and Publishing, Core Skills for Mental Health Professionals, or AI-Driven Content Creation. This multidisciplinary approach acknowledges that career readiness requires diverse skills. A biology major may pair lab work with filmmaking, while an economics student could strengthen their résumé with programming or investing.

Designed by Faculty, Built for the Future

Each credential is developed and approved by Allegheny faculty to ensure rigor and industry relevance. Many draw on existing courses, meaning students can often earn them without adding to their workload.

After piloting several options, the college saw strong interest from students, faculty, and alumni. Microcredentials aren’t shortcuts, but complements — tools to make learning more visible in a fast-changing professional landscape.

“This is part of a bigger shift in how education meets opportunity,” Cole said. “It’s about making learning visible — and valuable — in new ways.”