New Playbook: Incremental Credentialing in Graduate Education

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Case Study

Veterinary Practice Management Certificate

Appalachian State University

CREDENTIAL TITLE

Veterinary Practice Management Certificate

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

CREDIT/NON-CREDIT # OF CREDITS (IF CREDIT BEARING)

18 credits

INCREMENTAL CREDENTIALING FRAMEWORK APPROACHES

 Specialize As You Go
Learn As You Go
Stack As You Go
Partner As You Go
Transfer As You Go
Retro As You Go

Why the Credential Was Developed

  • Veterinary Medicine and the pet industry have experienced significant growth over the past decade, and all indicators point to continued growth. This $50 billion + industry offers numerous career opportunities for animal-minded professionals. Advancements have also occurred in technology and equipment, requiring new sets of skills.
  • The highest level of credential in the veterinary industry for professional veterinary managers is the CVPM certification program (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager), offered through the VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association).
  • Requirements to apply for CVPM certification include 18 college semester credit hours in formal management-related courses, including accounting, economics, computer science, marketing, management, and others. According to the VHMA, people with Veterinary Practice Management certificates are in high demand, and earn a significantly higher salary than those without the credential.
  • Currently, three online AVMA CVTEA accredited veterinary technology programs offer a certificate program in Veterinary Practice Management, meaning that there is clear opportunity for growth in this area.

How the Credential Was Developed

  • The 18-credit Veterinary Practice Management Certificate program will be offered in two ways: 1) as part of the 4-year B.S. program as a Practice Management concentration; or, 2) as a stand-alone certificate (Microcredential) program.
  • The certificate program will align with the UNC system strategic objectives to develop more incremental credentialing systems to increase the availability of high-quality education to upskill individuals in the workforce outside a traditional degree granting program.
  • This program would also fulfill a significant industry need and enhance enrollment opportunities for ASU Online programs.

The Targeted Learners

  • Non-degree learners seeking veterinary technician credentialing or other veterinary medical professionals interested in future CVPM certification and/or developing their knowledge and skills in veterinary business, leadership, and management. These learners would earn a certificate of completion.
  • Learners enrolled in the B.S. program in Veterinary Technology. All students in the B.S. program in Veterinary Technology must choose one of three potential concentration areas to complete the degree; one of which is Veterinary Practice Management. Degree learners would earn a micro-credential as part of their B.S. degree.

Lessons Learned

  • This credential is still in the development phase. The Veterinary Technology program plans to disseminate knowledge regarding the development of the certificate program as it progresses.

Top Competencies/Learning Outcomes

  • Develop competencies in veterinary practice management
  • Develop competencies to complete the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) exam successfully
  • Full list of competencies are available by request

Credential Components

Formal management-related courses, including accounting, economics, computer science, marketing, management, and others, with a veterinary practice management focus

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© COPYRIGHT 2024 CREDENTIAL AS YOU GO

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FUNDING STATEMENT

Credential As You Go has acquired three phases of funding to date. Lumina Foundation funded Phase I, resulting in the Incremental Credential Framework for testing. The Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education funds Phase II (Grant R305T210063), which focuses on rapid prototyping of and research on incremental credentials with a national campaign. An anonymous private donor fund at the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at George Washington University funds the development of the prototype Learn and Work Ecosystem Library. Walmart funds Phase III, which focuses on systems change for expansion and sustainability of incremental credentials. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of Lumina Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences, the U.S. Department of Education, Walmart, or George Washington University.