Over the past few years, not only has the cost of higher education continued to rise, the profile of the average student has as well. Time is limited and students come from all walks of life.

That’s why a relatively new concept is becoming more popular: microcredentials.

What You Need To Know

  •  Students and schools are looking at options to help continue higher education, and microcredentials are becoming popular

  •  Microcredentials allow students to work at their own pace to earn certificates in a specific subject

  •  SUNY offers more than 500 microcredentials, and Jefferson Community College is one school looking to help students get where they want to go

From a very early age, Caroline Delles has always known that working with young children was the dream.

“When I started pre-K, I was 4 or 5. I really enjoyed it. I loved being in the classroom and learning. So, I think I just want to continue that for like the next generation,” Delles said. 

As Delles works toward her degree in early childhood at Jefferson Community College, most would consider her a traditional student. However, it's that term traditional, as it relates to college, that's changing.

“We as a college community have had to adjust the way that we are offering courses and thinking at completion, because our world is different now and people have different lifestyles,” JCC associate professor of early childhood Jolynn Fiorentino said.

As the cost of higher education increases and the amount of time someone has to be a student decreases, schools like Jefferson are noticing a new trend. Nearly half of its students are enrolled just part-time, and more than a quarter of its students are 25 or older.

“I feel like that many of my nontraditional students are not able to take a full-time course load,” Fiorentino said.

It's why schools such as Jefferson are beginning to offer microcredentials. At your own pace and at your own time, you earn certificates toward a degree.

“The microcredential is like a you're a stepping stone. You're not sure if you want to take college courses. You're not sure if you're ready to take college courses. 'Can I do it? Can I succeed?' It's a scary thing,” Fiorentino added.

The SUNY system already offers more than 500 different microcredentials. It's often used by people looking to re-enter the job market, or by those who are already in a career. It can help them earn promotions they normally could not get.

“If a student is working in the field and they come in and take my credential, they could they could advance their employment and then continue on with the degree program. Those courses fit right into the degree program,” Fiorentino said.

Some employers in New York even team up with colleges as part of their training requirements for employees.