Types of Alternative Credentials

This framework follows operational guidelines developed by the university-wide Microcredential Task Force convened during the 2023-24 academic year and endorsed by the IU Academic Leadership Council in May 2024.
At Indiana University East, alternative credentials (hereinafter referred to as “credentials”) include microcredentials, verified skills, and unassessed badges.
[Comment: this is a restatement of the Alternative Credentials at IU Framework Task Force Report.]
1.     Assessed Learning Activity: A learning activity for which there is an associated assessment of learning and a clear indication that a learner has met or exceeded certain specific expectations, outcomes, or competencies. Assessments should be based on specifically demonstrated learning and not on simple participation in or completion of an experience. Assessed learning activities can be within either credit or non-credit contexts. It includes microcredentials and verified skills.
a.      A microcredential is a focused collection of demonstrated and valuable knowledge, skills, and/or competencies assessed or verified by Indiana University East. A microcredential must consist of at least two assessed components, of which one should be a three (or more) credit hour course.
b.     A verified skill is a single skill, focused set of knowledge, or competence that is a building block of a microcredential. A verified skill can be formally recognized as part of any assessed learning activity (i.e., either for-credit or non-credit).
2.     Non-assessed Learning Activity: A learning activity for which there is no associated assessment, including but not limited to basic participation in an activity or membership in a group. Non-assessed learning activities can be within either credit or non-credit contexts, though they are usually associated with non-credit and extracurricular/co-curricular contexts.
a.      An unassessed badge is an official recognition that the student has completed specific tasks and/or participated in specific activities.

Alternative Credential Approval Process

1.     For assessed learning (verified skills or microcredentials)
a.      Faculty at each School files out the alternative credential creating/change form.
b.     School curriculum committee approval (for alternative credential involves more than one school, all schools need to sign the approval form).
c.      Campus Curriculum Committee or Graduate Affairs Council approval.
d.     Campus Faculty Senate approval.
e.      Submit to the IU Academic Leadership Council (ALC) as an informational item and record in APPEAR. 
2.     For no assessed learning (unassessed badges)
a.      Recognition of non-assessed learning will require no academic approval
b.     If an issuing unit (school, department, or center) would like to award digital badges for non-assessed learning, they will work independently to develop mechanisms to do so. However, they need to submit the information to the Canvas Credential administrators through Academic Affairs to record it in the campus system.

Residency Requirement

1.     To earn an assessed credential (verified Skills or microcredentials) at Indiana University East, the student must have had a clear connection with the IU East campus.
a.      For credentials that include at least one for-credit course, the student must have enrolled and completed one for-credit course within the microcredential program at Indiana University East. [Comment/clarification: students from other campuses who are enrolled in an IU East taught course through IU Campus Course Connect does not count as having taken this course at IU East; however, IU East students who take a given course taught by another campus through IUOCC will satisfy this requirement.]
b.     To earn a credential that does not include any for-credit courses,
                                                             i.     Be enrolled as a student at Indiana University East when at least one of the activities in the program occurs.
                                                           ii.     Complete a preponderance of the activities required to attain the credential under the auspices of Indiana University East, as determined by the program.
                                                         iii.     Another condition determined by the academic school.

Academic Standards (Campus level)

1.     For credentials with for-credit course requirements, students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 on the courses included in the credential.
2.     Students must pass every course (grade C) in credential requirements to earn that credential.
3.     Schools shall determine and evaluate acceptable standards of completion for credential requirements that are not for credit courses.
School Discretion: Schools may mandate more stringent requirements for earning credentials than those specified above.

Recording and Recognition

1.     For assessed learning (Verified Skills or Microcredentials)
a.      Assessed learning credentials will be recorded in the student record (SIS). The registrar shall identify students each semester who completed credentials with only for-credit course requirements and shall certify these on the electronic platform.
b.     School Deans shall be responsible for certifying that students have completed credentials with non-course credit bearing activities and shall report these to the registrar, who will then certify these on the electronic platform.
c.      The registrar shall develop a process for students to request the award of credentials that were not otherwise included on the electronic platform, which will be evaluated by the School Dean.
2.     For no assessed learning (unassessed badges)
a.      Non-assessed learning will not be recorded in student records, nor will they be recognized via the academic transcript.
b.     Non-assessed learning activities will primarily be recognized digitally through the use of digital badges.
c.      The digital badge must be issued through IUE’s approved credential system. They must adhere to certain guidelines in their design, especially to distinguish them from the badges used to recognize official university digital badges for assessed learning activity (i.e., verified skills and microcredentials).
d.     The digital badge should not use an Indiana University marketing lockup or IU trident and should avoid the use of the term “Indiana University” except to indicate the IU unit issuing the badge or as a descriptor (e.g., “Member, [student club] at [IU East campus]”).

Status of Extant Alternative Credentials

For microcredentials approved prior to the passage of this policy:
1.     Where allowed by university policy, each will be classified by the Office of Academic Affairs as one of the three types of credentials listed above and shall remain in effect.
2.     Students who completed the requirements of these microcredentials in Fall 2022 or after may be granted these microcredentials following the procedures for credential certification above.
Definition
School: the academic school or campus unit administering the credential.
Dean: Head of the school or campus unit administering the credential or their designee.
Curriculum Committee: For credentials incorporating graduate coursework, this refers to the Graduate Affairs Council.