Moving from a Degree-Centric Postsecondary System to an Incremental Credentialing System: What Happens to Learners’ Financing Options?

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Incremental Credentialing Framework

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Background

Incremental Credentialing Framework

Background

The first phase of Credential As You Go (2019-2021) explored the feasibility of a nationally recognized incremental credentialing system, assisted by a Lumina Foundation grant. Key outcomes from this work:

  • A national environmental scan found that some states, systems, and institutions were already moving toward incremental credentialing in different ways. The patterns of credentialing were identified to inform an emerging Incremental Credentialing Framework.
  • Pilot projects at two community colleges and a university within the State University of New York (SUNY) developed and tested the emerging themes, providing proof of concept. The faculty and Credential As You Go team refined the Framework, which features six types of incremental credential approaches.
  • Feedback from hundreds of top national leaders – obtained through an advisory board, interviews, and a symposium – provided valuable insights and generated enthusiasm for scaling the Credential As You Go initiative.

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