Specialize As You Go

Strategies

• Specialized skills in a field.
• Minor area for a degree.
• Additional licenses, certifications, certificates, or other credentials recognized in the field.
• Recognition of specialized prior learning.

Examples

• Skills development for workplace advancements (e.g., HR for managers).
• Specialized licenses, certifications, or other recognized specializations (e.g., SHRM certification).
• Additional majors or minors for academic programs (e.g., entrepreneurship for business majors).

Things to Consider

• What specialized areas could your programs support?
• What skill areas do employers need to advance their employees?
• Which formally recognized credentials exist that connect to an academic program?
• What prior learning areas could be built into a specialization?

Why Use This Strategy

• Gives learners additional areas for employability and/or advancement.
• Helps learners connect their prior learning with specializations.
• Allows learners to return and develop additional skills, often more quickly than in a full degree program (although it can connect to a degree program).