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MSU Denver Micro-Credentials

MSU Denver is your partner in continuing education. Our micro-credential programs offer courses and certificates that can expand your learning, build skills, start you on an academic pathway, and position you for a strong career.

How Micro-Credentials Work

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Courses and Formats

Flexible courses and learning formats to fit into busy schedules. Most noncredit professional development offerings are self-paced online.

Explore Noncredit Courses
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Competencies and Badges

Competency-based educational opportunities across various industries and disciplines. Digital badges are issued upon completion.

Noncredit courses on Credly
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Career Support

Affordable courses to help you learn new skills that can lead to a better job or new career.

Student Resources

Explore Micro-Credentials by Discipline

Digital Badges

Academic Digital Badges
Noncredit Digital Badges

Questions

Need more information about a specific program?

Please contact departments listed on the individual landing pages with questions pertaining to specific programs or offerings.

Wedding Planning student Christie Macfarlane

"Career Launchpad is a fantastic opportunity to delve into interests without committing to a full 4-year major. It is an affordable, professional, and self-paced program, which allowed me to explore my interests while running my small business. My goal is to be a lifelong learner, and courses such as these allow me to do just that. I would highly recommend this program!"

Christie Macfarlane

Fundamentals of Wedding Planning student

Definition of terms as they apply to Micro-Credentials at MSU Denver

  • Career Training – a course or program that trains students to enter in to, or move up in a specific career; it is also helpful for career changers
  • Certificate – a course or series of courses that demonstrate competencies in a specialized area
  • Certificate of Completion – an educational credential, either print or digital, that shows a student has finished a course or program.
  • Certification – an educational credential granted by a professional organization that shows someone has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to do a specific job. Certifications often require passing a test and meeting ongoing educational needs.
  • Competencies – skills learned in a course or program
  • Credential – any educational offering at MSU Denver aside from a degree, also called a Micro-Credential
  • Credit – course or credential that offers college credit
  • Digital Badge – a digital educational credential that indicates someone has demonstrated the required competencies of a course or program; the competencies are embedded within the digital badge so that individuals can share the badge on their LinkedIn page, with future employers, etc.
  • Graduate Certificate – a credit certificate available after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree; these are usually six courses worth 18 credits at MSU Denver.
  • Micro-Credential – any educational offering at MSU Denver aside from a degree, also called a Credential
  • Noncredit – course or program that does not offer college credit
  • Professional Development – a course, program or opportunity that provides skills and knowledge that supports someone in their professional career
  • Stackable Credential – any course, certificate, or program that is able to stack into a higher educational offerings, e.g., a course that stacks into a certificate program, a noncredit course that stacks into a credit course.

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Contact Us

Email us

Phone: 303-615-1234

Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus

Mailing Address:
MSU Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362