Microcredentials at Concord University

Build Skills. Gain Recognition. Move Forward.

Concord University’s microcredentials give students the opportunity to gain, demonstrate, and share verified skills that employers value while earning credit toward their degree. Each microcredential represents a focused area of learning that is validated by faculty, aligned with industry standards, and awarded as a digital badge you can share on LinkedIn, Handshake, and your résumé.

What Are Microcredentials?

A microcredential is a short, focused academic award designed to provide in-demand skills, knowledge, and experience that can enhance a student’s employability. Microcredentials may be earned through a short series of courses, a combination of courses and work-based learning, or through verified proof of competency and documentation of specific skills gained, which is assessed against transparent and clearly defined criteria. All microcredentials, whether offered for-credit or non-credit, must be aligned with the statewide Quality Framework for Microcredentials, including guidance on credit-hour equivalency where applicable. At Concord, each microcredential:

  • Is credit-bearing and stacks toward a degree program
  • Has clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment methods
  • Aligns with statewide quality standards established by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC)
  • Is issued as a digital badge through the Accredible platform, displaying verified details about what you learned and how you demonstrated it

Microcredential Directory

Below you’ll find a growing list of Concord’s approved and proposed microcredentials. Each entry includes a description, requirements, and a link to its Accredible badge once available.

Microcredential Name Microcredential Description Microcredential Requirements Accredible Link
Foundational Accounting Proficiency This microcredential provides learners with fundamental accounting skills necessary for entry-level professional roles and provides verifiable proof of competency in core accounting principles. ACCT 205 & 206 with grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Special Education This microcredential equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate mastery of core special education concepts. Through the sequence of courses, students will learn how to understand and support diverse learners, apply research-based interventions, interpret and use assessment data, and navigate federal and state special education laws and procedures. EDSP 303, EDSP 318, EDSP 326, EDSP 365, & EDSP 370 with grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Civic Literacy Microcredential This microcredential will provide students with an understanding of the functions of the United States government at the federal, state, and local levels, of the way that government policy is made and administered, and of the impact that government policy has on citizens. POSC 104, POSC 202, POSC 204 with grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Applied Math This microcredential develops students’ ability to analyze and model change through a variety of function types up to calculus. Students build a strong foundation in mathematical relationships and rates of change that underpins further studies in STEM fields. This microcredential shows a student is prepared to continue in mathematically intensive disciplines and solve problems involving continuous change. MATH 104 (or MATH 107), & MATH 253 with grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Statistical Modeling The Statistical Modeling microcredential develops students’ ability to work with data to make informed decisions under uncertainty. Students work with data to develop statistical models and draw appropriate conclusions. This microcredential shows a student’s readiness to solve data-driven problems that critically evaluate information and make evidence-based decisions, a valuable skill across disciplines. MATH 105 (or MATH 105C), & MATH 205 with grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Mathematical Modeling This microcredential emphasizes the use of mathematics to solve real-world problems. Students learn to construct and interpret mathematical models to communicate results. This microcredential shows a student can connect mathematical concepts to practical applications, a valuable skill across disciplines. MATH 103 (or MATH 103C), & MATH 174 with a grade of B or higher Coming Soon!
Foundations of Computer Programming This microcredential provides learners with a solid grounding in computer science principles and programming skills through two sequenced courses: CS 151 (Introduction to Computer Science) and CS 252 (Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming). The purpose of this microcredential is to equip learners with the core programming competencies needed to enter technology-related careers, advance in their current roles, or continue into a baccalaureate degree program in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Cybersecurity. CS 151 & CS 252 with a grade of B or higher Coming Soon!

Microcredentials bridge the gap between education and employment. They help you:

  • Showcase your skills to employers in a verifiable, digital format
  • Gain career-ready competencies before graduation
  • Stand out in the job market by highlighting specialized training
  • Stack your achievements toward additional credentials or degrees
  • Focus on skills that matter in West Virginia’s fastest-growing industries, such as business, healthcare, IT, education, and communication

All Concord microcredentials are embedded in existing academic programs. That means the work you’re already doing in your courses can also help you earn an employer-recognized credential.

Each microcredential:

  • Counts for academic credit (and is eligible for financial aid if part of a degree)
  • May serve as a stackable credential toward your bachelor’s degree
  • Can stand alone as a career-building credential demonstrating verified skills

Concord University’s microcredentials are designed using the WVHEPC Quality Framework for Microcredentials, which ensures that every credential is:

  • Academically rigorous – built on measurable learning outcomes and assessed by faculty
  • Employer validated – reviewed by advisory councils and industry experts
  • Stackable and portable – applicable toward degrees and recognized across institutions
  • Accessible and affordable – offered online or in-person at standard tuition rates
  • Transparent – each badge includes verifiable metadata (skills, outcomes, evidence, assessments)

Concord’s microcredentials are also part of the Credential WV Connect initiative, linking higher education, workforce development, and business across the state.

When you earn a Concord microcredential, you’ll receive a digital badge from Accredible via email. You can:

  • Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • Include it on your résumé or ePortfolio
  • Share it directly with employers or graduate schools

Each badge includes detailed metadata describing:

  • The specific skills you mastered
  • The evidence and assessments used
  • The issuing institution and verification date

This ensures your achievement is trusted, transparent, and portable—anywhere you go.