3-15: Micro-Credentials Policy

Policy Overview

This policy defines requirements for academic and non-academic micro-credentials and establishes the process for earning digital badges at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC or College).

Scope and Applicability

This policy outlines steps for earning an academic or non-academic micro-credential and applies to all students.

Policy Statement

Micro-credential programs are competency based and designed for students to develop or upgrade skills and knowledge. This policy is designed to serve the best interests of students by providing a clearly defined pathway to certificate completion.

Definitions

1. Admission Requirements are courses, skills, exams, certifications, or application materials that must be completed or provided before a student may be admitted to a degree or certificate program.
2. College Catalog includes information about the college, its mission, vision, and values as well as information about fees, grades, transferability, financial aid, and programs. The catalog also includes degrees and certificates, course descriptions, faculty, and staff of the College. The catalog is revised on an annual basis.
3. Credit Hours are awarded in terms of semester credit. Each semester hour of credit in a lecture class requires a minimum of 750 minutes of instruction per semester; each semester hour of credit in a laboratory class requires a minimum of 1,500 minutes of instruction per semester (SFCC Policy 3-1 Audit of Credit Courses).
4. Curriculum Committee is a standing committee of full-time SFCC credit faculty who represent the various schools and a representative from Continuing Education. The Curriculum Committee evaluates credit course syllabi, certificate, and degree plans, and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
5. Digital Badges are indicators of accomplishment or skill that can be displayed, accessed, and verified online.
6. Grade-Point Average (GPA) s a measure of the overall quality of a student’s coursework. GPA is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Grade points are calculated for each course by multiplying the number of credit hours for the individual course by the point value assigned to the student’s grade. Letter Grade, Point Value Per Credit: A 4 A- 3.67, B+ 3.33, B 3, B- 2.67, C+ 2.33, C 2, D 1, F 0, P
7. Learning Assessment Committee (LAC) is a standing committee that actively promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement in teaching and learning through data-informed processes across all curricular and co-curricular areas; it establishes and manages the learning assessment processes at SFCC.
8. Micro-credentials are short, competency-based recognition based on specific skills.
9. Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) identify what students will know and be able to do by the end of a degree or certificate program – the significant and essential knowledge, skills, and competencies that constitute the integrated learning needed by the graduate of a program.

Policy Process

1. Requirements for academic micro-credential programs are approved by the Curriculum Committee, following procedures documented in the Curriculum Committee Handbook including seeking input from appropriate stakeholders and the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and documented in the SFCC catalog.
2. Academic micro-credentials shall:
   1. Consist of one or more credit-bearing courses and may be combined with non-credit bearing activities.
   2. Whenever practicable, limit the required credit-bearing courses to a subset of the courses required for the related certificate or associate degree.
   3. Provide a list of criteria for completion.
3. Applicants for academic micro-credentials must do the following:
   1. Satisfy all conditions for admission to the College;
   2. Successfully complete the required course of study specified in the College catalog for the credential that the student has declared;
   3. Earn an overall cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.0;
   4. Successfully complete one-quarter of the total required credit hours for the micro-credential at SFCC; and
   5. Meet all financial obligations to the College.
4. Non-academic micro-credentials shall:
   1. Consist of one or more skills;
   2. Provide a list of criteria for completion; and
   3. Be approved by the appropriate Dean or division member.
5. At least once every three years, this policy and supporting documents shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Curriculum Committee.

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility

The President, through the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, shall be responsible for enforcing academic and student policies and procedures. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs shall work with the different departments and offices to comply with this policy and to develop procedures that will enforce this policy regarding awareness, prevention, and remediation.

Authority

SFCC Policy 3-10 Audit of Credit Courses

APPROVAL

SFCC Governing Board approved: 1/25/2023