Skills@UC Credentials
Skills@UC offers innovative, non-credit credentials that recognize learning achieved through our courses and programs. These innovative credentials recognize your participation and newly gained skills, helping you advance professionally, academically, or personally.
At the University of Cincinnati, we value diverse learning experiences and ensure they are recognized appropriately. To demonstrate how your credential fits within UC’s broader recognition system, we’ve developed a credential framework:
Skills@UC Credentials: Non-credit, innovative credentials are documented on Skills@UC Learning Records and issued as a digital badge.
Academic Credentials: Credit-bearing programs—including micro-credentials, certificates, and degrees—are documented on transcripts and issued as a Certified Electronic Credential by the Office of the Registrar.
Explore the innovative credentials available through Skills@UC below.
Innovative Credential Types
When you successfully complete a Skills@UC non-credit course or program, you may earn one or more innovative credentials. These credentials are issued as a digital badge through Credly.
Learn about digital badges or continue reading to explore the different types of innovative, non-credit credentials and what learning they recognize.
The record of participation acknowledges conference attendance and does not confirm completion or verify learning outcomes. This credential is only issued for conferences and typically reflects a time commitment of 4 to 50 hours.
A record of completion acknowledges successful completion of a non-credit course or program and does not verify learning outcomes or levels of understanding. This innovative credential can be earned for learning activities of any duration.
A micro-credential (non-credit) recognizes the completion of a non-credit course and validates knowledge of a specific skill or competency within a particular field or industry. This innovative credential is earned by demonstrating mastery of all learning outcomes in a course, with an emphasis on the content rigor, stackability, and industry relevance. Micro-credentials are offered at three levels: foundational, intermediate, and advanced. The time commitment ranges from 10 to 126 hours.
A professional certificate (non-credit) is the highest-level non-credit credential. It recognizes the completion of a non-credit program and validates knowledge, competency, and job readiness in a specific professional or occupational field. Broader in scope than other innovative credentials, a professional certificate requires a time commitment of over 100 hours. Micro-credentials can be stacked along the path toward earning a professional certificate. Professional certificates are offered at three levels: foundational, intermediate, and advanced. These certificates are specific to non-credit programs and are not equivalent to an academic certificate.
Levels of Achievement
Micro-credentials and professional certificates are offered at three levels: foundational, intermediate, and advanced. The level is determined by the initial background required to participate in the course or program and the depth of understanding achieved upon completion.
- Foundational: Designed for learners with no prior knowledge or experience in the subject. Participants complete the coursework with a strong foundational level of understanding.
- Intermediate: Intended for learners with foundational to intermediate knowledge or experience in the subject. Participants complete the coursework with an intermediate level of understanding.
- Advanced: Geared toward learners with intermediate to advanced knowledge or experience in the subject.
Academic Credentials
Credentials for academic credit-bearing courses and programs are awarded by the Office of the Registrar. Learn more about diplomas and certificates on their website.
Pathways to External Credentials
Learning through Skills@UC may prepare you for credentials not issued by the University of Cincinnati, such as preparation for industry-recognized credentials. In these cases, while Skills@UC courses and programs equip you with the skills to earn the credential, the award itself will be granted by an external entity or organization. Please note that for these courses, a Skills@UC innovative credential will not be issued; however, learning will still be documented on your learning record.