Non-Credit, Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges
University of Montana, UMOnline can help you design, create and launch non-credit courses and programs, micro-credentials and also digital badges!
Below you will find the steps and procedures for each in order (non-credit, micro-credentials, digital badges), along with information about which type might be best for you and your goals as a faculty member.
If you do have additional questions about which type of program or course to launch - our team is ready and happy to assist you.
Non-Credit Programs and Courses at UM
Non-Credit, continuing education and lifelong learning modules are some of the names institutions have used for learning activities that do not carry credit. They are intended for students who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills, or enrich their understanding about a wide range of topics.
Noncredit classes are usually NOT applicable toward a degree. Upon completion of a series of required classes, students can earn a noncredit certificate. At the University of Montana, Non-Credit courses are offered through UMOnline.
Steps to Launch a Non-Credit course or program
Process and Procedure
Submit your inquiry to UMOnline. Inquiry forms are submitted through Qualtrics. Once your proposal has been received you will be contacted by a UMOnline administrator regarding the next steps.
Exploratory Discussion
UMOnline will help you identify your audience and course/program pricing through Market Research.
If your course will be taught online, UMOnline can help you identify your course development needs and help you design and develop the course.
Once you have identified your needs and expenses, a financial budget will be developed.
An MOU will be signed between UMOnline, the instructor, department and college, which will align the expectations of each party and the financial model applied.
You will start working with the UMOnline team to finalize the course, marketing and registration process needed before the course is delivered.
Non-credit FAQ
Non-credit offerings rely solely on self-support fees to operate, as opposed to for-credit offerings which are prescribed by the Board of Regent’s approved tuition and fee matrix, and are funded entirely by UM General Fund budget allocation. Non-credit offerings have the ability to generate revenue for a department. After initial costs are covered, the net-revenue generated is disbursed between the College/Department, the University and UMOnline.
Yes. Mixing credit and non-credit offerings allows a college/department the ability to expand their for-credit offerings to a greater cross-section of the population.
Curriculum requirements should differ between for-credit and non-credit students.
Immunization clearance is required when co-mingling credit and non-credit populations on campus.
If you'd like to discuss various components of your program such as market analysis, financial considerations, credit options, learning outcomes, or digital badging, please contact Holly Kulish Outreach & Special Programs Manager.
Digital Badges at UM
Digital badges allow an individual to showcase certain achievements they have gained through academic coursework, experiential learning, professional development, or workforce training. Earners of digital badges can share or display their badges on various online platforms such as LinkedIn, social media sites, and e-portfolios. Digital badges are embedded with meta-data; information prospective employers can access to verify the learning outcomes, competencies, and skills an earner acquired through their respective learning experiences.
Digital badges can be offered for credit or non-credit; and are applicable to undergraduates, graduates, non-traditional students, and working professionals. They can be useful in attracting new students to certificate or degree programs, improving technical skills, promoting workforce development, and facilitating career advancement. Digital badges are an exciting and innovative trend in higher education and professional development that offer practical applications to a diverse population of learners. Check out our Digital Badging FAQ for answers to additional questions.
Pilot and Post-Pilot Phases
Pilot Phase
Digital badges were approved to be offered in pilot mode for a period of up to three academic years by Faculty Senate. Ongoing assessment of digital badges is conducted as part of a periodic review of the academic program/unit with which they are associated. At the end of each year, a program review form should be submitted to UMOnline to monitor progress during the pilot phase.
Post-Pilot Phase Review and Established Program Process
On or before fall semester of 3rd year of pilot, participants must notify UMOnline if the unit/program would like to proceed with a full proposal or remove for consideration. At this time, a full proposal is submitted for approval by an interdisciplinary, sub-committee. The recommended established program proposals move into the full faculty senate committees prior to Faculty Senate and provost review.
Steps to Launch a Digital Badge
Consultation
Please schedule a consultation appointment with Holly Kulish, Outreach & Special Programs Manager, to discuss market analysis, financial models, marketing, credit options, learning outcomes, meta-data and digital badging.
Proposal
Complete the “Digital Badge Proposal Form”. Please ensure that your proposal form has been signed by your supervisor, section head, and other applicable parties. If the digital badge is interdisciplinary or developed with a third party, an MOU should be established and submitted with your proposal.
Submission
Submit your “Digital Badge Proposal Form” to UMOnline. Proposal forms are submitted through the digital platform Submittable. You will need your NET ID and login information in order to access the Submittable site. After you upload your “Digital Badge Proposal Form” you will then be prompted to enter your meta-data information that will be embedded in your digital badge.
Once your proposal has been received you will be contacted by a UMOnline administrator regarding next steps.
Faculty and staff are required to track and verify the academic requirements, standards and progress of students involved in digital badge offerings.
Once the requirements of a digital badge have been satisfied, it is the responsibility of the faculty or staff member to request the issuance of a digital badge to the student.
If the digital badge is related to any for-credit coursework, the digital badge will be issued by the Registrar’s Office. To request this service please complete the “Credit Bearing Digital Badge Tracking List” and upload it Submittable.
If the digital badge is related to non-credit coursework, the digital badge will be issued by UM Online. To request this service please complete the “Non-credit Digital Badge Tracking List” and upload it to Submittable.
Micro-Credentials at UM
Micro-credentials confirm that an individual has achieved specific skills and competencies in a given area of academia or professional development. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates as they can be completed in short amounts of time and afford learners increased flexibility in attaining learning outcomes.
Micro-credentials can be offered for credit or non-credit and are applicable to undergraduates, graduates, non-traditional students, and working professionals. After completion of a micro-credential program, learners earn a digital badge certified by Credly that contains meta-data which verifies the skills, competencies and learning outcomes obtained therein.
Micro-credentials are an exciting and innovative trend in professional development and higher education that offer practical applications to a diverse population of learners. Please see a list of our current micro-credential offerings.
Pilot and Post-Pilot Phases
Pilot Phase
Micro-credential programs were approved to be offered in pilot mode for a period of up to three academic years by Faculty Senate. Ongoing assessment of micro-credentials is conducted as part of a periodic review of the academic program/unit with which they are associated. At the end of each year, a program review form should be submitted to UMOnline to monitor progress during the pilot phase.
Post-Pilot Phase Review and Established Program Process
On or before fall semester of 3rd year of pilot, participants must notify UMOnline if the unit/program would like to proceed with a full proposal or remove for consideration. At this time, a full proposal is submitted for approval by an interdisciplinary sub-committee. The recommended established program proposals move into the full faculty senate committees prior to Faculty Senate and provost review.
Steps to Launch a Micro-Credential
Process and Procedure
Review the “University of Montana Micro-Credentials and Badges: Process and Procedures”. This document provides an overview of micro-credentials, digital badges, and the processes and procedures regarding launching a new micro-credential program.
Consultation
Please schedule a consultation appointment with Holly Kulish, Outreach & Special Programs Manager, to discuss market analysis, financial models, marketing, credit options, learning outcomes, meta-data and digital badging.
Proposal
Complete the Micro-credential Proposal Form. Detailed information regarding the proposal process is outlined in the “University of Montana Micro-Credentials and Badges: Process and Procedures”. Please ensure that your proposal form has been signed by your supervisor, section head, and other applicable parties. If the program is interdisciplinary or developed with a third party, an MOU should be established and submitted with your proposal.
Proposal Submission
Submit your Proposal Form and Syllabus to UMOnline. Proposal forms are submitted through the digital platform Submittable. You will need your Net ID and log-in information in order to access the Submittable site. At this point you will also be asked to enter the meta-data that will be embedded in the digital badge. Once your proposal and meta-data information has been received you will be contacted by a UMOnline administrator regarding the next steps.
Faculty/ staff are required to track and verify the academic requirements, standards, and progress of students enrolled in micro-credential programs.
Once the requirements of a micro-credential have been satisfied, it is the responsibility of the faculty/ staff member to request the issuance of a digital badge to the student.
If the Micro-credential is credit-bearing, the micro-credential will be recorded on the student’s transcript and a digital badge will be issued to the student. To request this service please complete the “Credit-Bearing Micro-Credential Tracking List” and upload it to Submittable.
If the Micro-credential is non-credit, a digital badge will be issued. To request this service please complete the “Non-Credit Micro-Credential Tracking List” and upload it to Submittable.
If the Micro-credential is a hybrid of Credit and Non-Credit students, please submit a separate request for each cohort using the links above.
Have questions about digital badges? Please visit our Digital Badge FAQ webpage.
Consultation
If you'd like to discuss various components of your program such as market analysis, financial considerations, credit options, learning outcomes, or digital badging, please contact Outreach & Special Programs Manager, Holly Kulish.