This playbook gives people in the learn-and-work ecosystem key information they can use to make the case for incremental credentialing. Case-making requires different information for various audiences, including the campus community, employers and industry partners, funders, learners, and policymakers. The playbook covers: 

• The case for incremental credentialing, is driven by four factors: (1) the nation’s dated, degree-centric postsecondary system, (2) credential expansion, (3) the need to improve equity in education, and (4) rapidly changing workforce needs. 
• How to define incremental credentialing and incremental credentials. 
• The benefits of incremental credentialing to various constituencies. 

Incremental credentials capture learning as it is acquired, formally recognize that learning, and connect it to a larger context of education and work.

The Incremental Credentialing Framework provides six approaches to developing and implementing incremental credentials. Based on research, these six approaches represent ways in which higher education and industry are developing different types of credentials.

Policy and practice in incremental credentialing go hand in hand. Public colleges and universities will find it difficult to develop and implement incremental credentials without supportive or enabling policy at both the state and institutional levels, and private institutions seeking to do so will find such policy necessary at the institution level. It is also difficult to develop and implement incremental credentials (typically shorter-term non-degree credentials) without supportive federal policy. It is critical, therefore, that the developers of incremental credentials understand the policy context.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Playbook is designed to provide foundational knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion to individuals who are involved with incremental credentialing.

This playbook:

• Explains foundational concepts and defines key terms in DEI work.
• Identifies the populations affected by inequities in higher education and incremental credentialing.
• Pinpoints key DEI issues related to incremental credentialing.
• Highlights promising practices used to address these issues.
• Identifies areas within organizations/programs where DEI efforts in incremental credentialing can be advanced.

This playbook is designed to explore the key issues associated with embedding or aligning certifications with academic degree and certificate programs. It provides:

• Insights to different stakeholders about the benefits of this approach.
• Information about the characteristics of certifications. 
• Questions that can be asked to help assess quality.
• Elements to consider when deciding whether to align or embed a certification.
• Case studies of postsecondary institutions are implementing this approach. 

Communications and marketing are critical components in the effort to transform the nation’s degree-centric postsecondary model to an incremental credentialing system. To support such a major transformation, communications and marketing are needed at three levels:

1. State and Institution Wide
2. Individual credential and program levels
3. Nationwide

This Playbook focuses on the first of these.

Communications and marketing are critical in the effort to transform the nation’s degree-centric postsecondary model to an incremental credentialing system. To support such a major transformation, communications and marketing are needed at three levels:

1. State- and institution-wide
2. Credential and program levels
3. Nationwide

This playbook focuses on the second of these.