MICRO-CREDENTIALS
What is a Micro-Credential? A micro-credential is a short, focused certification that shows you have gained specific skills or knowledge in a particular area, often through online courses or workshops.
Ready to Get Started? What’s Next?
Southern Oregon University offers several micro-credential path options for both new and current students.
1.
Not already enrolled at SOU?
Become a fully enrolled student by applying to SOU. Pursue your full degree along with earning a micro-credential.
2.
Just want your badge?
You can enroll as a non-degree seeking student while you earn your micro-credential.
3.
Currently Enrolled?
Current students only need to take the required courses of the micro-credential, and when completed, apply for the badge.
4.
Returning Student?
Use this form if you have been away from SOU for more than 3 terms, so we can reactivate your account. Please note, if you have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree elsewhere since attending SOU, you will need to complete the Graduate/Postbaccalaureate application with Admissions.
Academic Micro-Credentials
Broadcast News Production
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Broadcast News Production badge introduces students to basic skills and technologies entailed in the production of broadcast journalism through the filter of news programming for local television stations. Students complete reporting and production tasks encompassing both field and studio broadcast contexts.
Cinema Production Technology
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Cinema Production Technology badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment in broadcast media, corporate video production or communications departments, and in assisting freelance video producers. When completed as part of an undergraduate degree, the Cinema Production Technology badge will supplement graduate applications to MFA programs in film production or adjacent programs.
Comic Studies
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Comic Studies badge synthesizes courses in the study and production of comic art. Students develop skills in illustration and the creation of comic narrative, and also exercise a critical and scholarly understanding of comics media as a dynamic, pervasive, and economically significant genre in contemporary society.
Community Planning
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The micro-credential in Community Planning prepares students for a range of planning professions including transportation planning, land use planning, water resource planning, urban planning, and community development.
Conversational American Sign Language
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Conversational ASL micro-credential offers students the opportunity to develop essential communication skills in American Sign Language for meaningful real-world purposes. The course structure and communication goals are thematically organized to support students in learning ASL through immersive activities. Students will develop ASL proficiency along with a deeper understanding of the deaf community and their cultural perspectives through interactive learning activities.
Conversational Spanish
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Conversational Spanish micro-credential offers students the opportunity to develop essential communication skills in Spanish for meaningful real-world purposes. The course structure and communication goals are thematically organized to support students in learning Spanish through immersive activities and hands-on projects, rich input and communicatively purposeful tasks.
Data Visualization
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The micro-credential in Data Visualization is multi-disciplinary and prepares students to display meaningful patterns in data graphically, to represent data spatially, and to assemble complementary chart sets for decision making processes. Student will gain practical, hands-on experience with basic programing, chart design, static and dynamic visualization, map-making, and dashboard construction.
Design Thinking and Lean Entrepreneurship
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing this badge, students develop concrete skills of creativity and innovation that are directly relevant to current practice in industry, governance and public advocacy. The badge emphasizes lean entrepreneurship, design thinking and visual thinking as methods by which students can devise transformative solutions to complex problems. These skills are urgently needed in organizations that seek to respond to rapid change encountered in contemporary business, media, technology and policy contexts.
Digital Security
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing Southern Oregon University’s 12-credit badge in Digital Security, students develop intermediate skills in the three core toolsets within Digital Security: Network Security, System Security, and Web Security. The Digital Security badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment in security.
Early Childhood Development
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) program micro-credential will provide participants with an overview of current early childhood education practices. Participants will develop an understanding of child development and learning, and identify the values woven within the field that appreciate children’s curiosity and discovery through play.
EDI: Gender, Indigeneity, & Sexuality
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
This Equity Diversity & Inclusion: Gender, Indigeneity, & Sexuality micro-credential prepares students to communicate effectively across difference, understand how structural and systemic barriers and inequitable processes and practices are created, and thrive in an increasingly diverse world.
Environmental Research & Data Analysis
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The micro-credential in Environmental Research & Data Analysis prepares students with advanced technical skills in research methods and data analysis in the environmental sciences broadly. Courses emphasize advanced statistical analysis, field methodology, and computer modeling for use in natural resource management, field research, and geospatial data management.
Essence of Wine
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Are you ready to take your business acumen to the next level? Introducing our exclusive wine in business micro credential badging program, designed to enhance your professional skills while enjoying the exquisite world of wine!
Facilitating Adult Learning
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
The Adult Learning micro-credential will prepare participants to be effective facilitators, coaches and instructors of adult learners. Learners will develop essential skills to create and lead learning experiences for adult audiences in workplace, organizations or higher education settings.
Film Business and Management
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing Southern Oregon University’s 12-credit badge in Film Business & Management, students demonstrate their ability to develop screen properties, raise production funds, create shooting schedules and budgets, and create marketing plans and festival submission strategies for independently-produced films. The Film Business & Management badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in working in production offices or in project development for the entertainment industry.
Foundations of Professional Writing
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The 14-credit Professional Writing badge builds the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to write and edit effective professional documents and materials. Students who complete the certificate will gain experience with a range of genres (e.g., grant proposals, manuals, end-user documentation, press releases, catalogs, published articles, and essays), as well as the ability to work collaboratively with organizations.
Foundations of School Mental and Behavioral Health
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The School Mental and Behavioral Health micro-credential equips K-12 classroom assistants and classified staff to provide universal behavioral supports in a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed manner. Offered in collaboration with K-12 districts and community mental health agencies, the credential is the first rung of a regional School Mental and Behavioral Health career ladder.
Foundations of Sustainability and Tourism
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing this Badge, learners gain an understanding of corporate sustainability and sustainable practices in the tourism business and destination development. This is a “stackable credential” and all classes can be applied towards either the Certificate in Sustainable Tourism or the Certificate in Sustainable Leadership.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Micro-credential in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) equips learners with the concepts and skills necessary to advance careers in the geospatial sciences. This micro-credential is designed both for working practitioners and traditional students desiring to develop and demonstrate proficiency in GIS. The micro-credential is designed to nest within a proposed certificate in geospatial technology.
Global Communication
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Global Health and Communication badge confirms student literacy in media, communication, and communities within an international and global context. Completion of the badge entails robust exploration of colonialism / post-colonialism / anti-colonialism, identity, development and globalization. Students examine historical and current events through multiple perspectives. This badge aims to explore the intersectionality between international, global, gender, generational, and more, through communication, critical/ cultural studies, and feminist frameworks.
Health and Crisis Communication
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Health and Crisis Communication badge develops students’ expertise in the areas of health communication, health promotion, health-related technology and social media, and health-related risk and crisis communication. The badge will serve students who are interested in pursuing careers or further study related to health, such as public health or healthcare administration.
Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
The Leadership in ECE micro-credential will prepare participants to apply research and assessment tools to evaluate and advance instructional choices and educational policies for the young children of today and tomorrow. Learners will develop holistic and ethical leadership skills to embrace the challenges of the modern early childhood education landscape.
Leadership in Higher Education
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
The Leadership in Higher Education micro-credential provides the foundational knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary for leadership roles in higher education. You will develop an understanding of higher ed policy, practices, systems and structures to elevate your career opportunities in higher education and related fields.
Multimedia Journalism
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
The Multimedia Journalism badge provides students with a compact introduction to the essential practices of professional journalism in the 21st century. It fully commits to traditional journalistic values such as reporting, verification and ethics. Meanwhile, this badge gives students practical experience in journalistic reporting using skills in social media and visual storytelling relevant to contemporary practice in the industry.
Network Technology
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing Southern Oregon University’s 12-credit badge in Network Technology, students develop intermediate skills in the three core toolsets within network technology: Network Foundations, Network Services, and Wireless Networks. A Network Technology badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment in network management.
Persuasive Communication
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Learners who successfully complete the Badge in Persuasive Communication will be able to apply persuasive skills in private relationships, in the workplace, and in public citizenship. Those who earn the badge will not just gain skills to be personally persuasive; they will also grow in the ability to critically analyze persuasive messages sent to them in verbal, written, and nonverbal channels through all forms of media.
Project Management
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Learners who complete the Project Management micro-credential will gain an understanding of traditional project management tools and processes including project networks, budgets and schedules. They will learn how to scope projects effectively to get projects done on time and within budget. They will also apply a variety of risk management tools in their work.
Public Health Education
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
In the Public Health Education micro-credential, you will explore education and communication principles and methods to promote preventive health measures. You will also gain expertise in providing and managing health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Set Skills for Cinema Production
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
In this immersive learning experience, students leave the classroom to learn on location in an environment that emulates a professional film production. Students apply for a below-the-line crew position and work within a departmental hierarchy to collaboratively produce a short film alongside faculty and professional mentors. The Set Skills for Cinema Production badge demonstrates the student’s preparation for entry-level assistant work on professional film and television sets.
Social Emotional Learning
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The 12-13 credit SEL badge demonstrates a sustained focus on the knowledge, skills, and direct experience necessary to integrate social emotional learning competencies in teaching, counseling, and other educational contexts. Students completing this badge will understand the research base of SEL along with its place in the border field of holistic education.
Social Media Strategy
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing Southern Oregon University’s 12-credit badge in Social Media Strategy, students demonstrate their ability to conceive, execute, and assess social media campaigns on behalf of clients. The Social Media Strategy badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment with clients or employers in marketing, public relations, advertising, or journalism.
Social Research – Quantitative Data Analysis
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The micro-credential in Data Analysis for social science prepares students to access, analyze, and display quantitative data. Students will gain practical, hands-on experience with data gathering, analysis, and visualization techniques commonly used in program evaluation, policy analysis and other applied social research.
Spanish & Latinx Studies
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
This micro-credential provides a close approximation of Hispanic and Latinx culture in the US. This series of courses examines the histories, cultures, and experiences of Latinx communities in the United States. Learners will develop their oral and written expression in Spanish while exploring the diversity and complexity of Latinx identities, as well as the social, political, and economic forces that have shaped them.
Spanish for Educators
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Spanish for Educators micro-credential prepares students to communicate in Spanish at an advanced level and in contexts relevant to the field of education. Students will come away with the vocabulary and ability to talk and think critically about Spanish language learning and acquisition, and will have a better understanding of both their own language learning experiences and the experiences of others.
Spanish for Health Care
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Spanish for Health Care badge/micro-credential is designed to equip current and future professionals in the healthcare industry with the language and intercultural skills necessary to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients.
STEM Education (Graduate)
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
The STEM Education micro-credential will prepare participants for leadership roles as a STEM teacher or curriculum specialist working in either PK-20 or informal education systems. The micro-credential provides a specialized research-based education for post-baccalaureate learners and may be completed in one year, starting any quarter.
STEM Education (Undergraduate)
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Undergraduate STEM Education Badge is earned by taking at least four courses across education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. As a result of earning this micro-credential, the student will gain pedagogical content knowledge that is necessary to teach integrated STEM subjects in elementary or early childhood education settings in the 21st century.
Story Development for Screenwriting
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
By completing SOU’s 12-credit badge in Story Development for Screenwriting, students demonstrate their ability to pitch and develop screen stories for film and television. The Story Development for Screenwriting badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment in the entertainment industry as a script reader or writer’s assistant, in pursuing a screenwriting fellowship, or, when completed as part of their undergraduate degree, in applying to graduate programs in screenwriting.
Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Adult Learners
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Level
Prepare to support the learning of adult second language learners in educational and work settings. You will develop essential skills to support adults in learning skills they need including reading, writing, math, English language proficiency, and problem-solving.
Sustainable Food Systems
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The micro-credential in sustainable food systems prepares students entering into food system-related careers to better understand sustainable systems utilized in production, distribution, processing, sales, and waste reduction.
Team Leadership and Collaboration
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
This Micro-Credential emphasizes knowledge of individual emotional intelligence, leadership styles, conflict styles, and group dynamics in order to be a better leader of teams and collaborator in groups.
Values-Based Leadership
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
A badge in Values-Based Leadership is an experiential learning opportunity that gives curious learners an opportunity to analyze community needs and prototype local solutions in collaboration with established local businesses as well as social and commercial entrepreneurs. In addition to values-based leadership training from industry professionals, students will gain internship experience and take a course that challenges them to consider how local entrepreneurship takes place in wider systems of influence.
Visual Storytelling
Offered as an Academic Micro-Credential
The Visual Storytelling badge combines basic skills in visual communication and photographic storytelling suitable for entry-level practice in media professions such as journalism, professional social media, and content marketing. Students exercise their skills both in creating original visual content, and designing digital documents to narrate brand or journalistic messages.
*Micro-credential programs are available to both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students at Southern Oregon University. If you have questions on your eligibility, please contact our Admissions office at sou.edu/admissions/contact .
Micro-Credential
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a digital recognition of an individual’s competency in a specific area, with competency defined as critical knowledge, skills and dispositions required to understand and apply the learning. Academic micro-credentials at SOU generally consist of three to four SOU courses, some with additional applied opportunities, community workshops, service learning or other requirements.
What is a badge?
A badge is a web-enabled version of a credential, certification or set of learning outcomes which can be displayed and verified online. It is the digital token that represents the fulfillment of the outcomes identified by each micro-credential.
What is the difference between a Certificate and a micro-credential?
A Certificate is a formal academic credential that is awarded by SOU. Certificates are fully approved by SOU’s Board of Trustees and are accounted for in SOU’s Academic Catalog. Micro-credentials are less formal recognition of student accomplishment. Certificates appear on SOU transcripts and are typically 28-48 credit hours. Micro-credentials do not appear on transcripts and are comprised of fewer credit hours.
What are the benefits of earning a micro-credential?
Micro-credentials allow learners to demonstrate their proficiency in a set of key competencies that were identified and developed by educators at Southern Oregon University. Unlike a traditional degree where the learning process is linear, the micro-credential learning process is a unique and “stackable” experience, in which learners achieve sets of discrete and demonstrable learning goals as they are earned through completion of courses. Micro-credentials also give learners the opportunity to break apart the traditional degree credential to represent and communicate skill sets they have earned, as they earn them. Learners can stack these credentials to gain degrees or certificates or to tailor their learning to their specific career needs, professional goals or personal interests.
A badge provides a way for students to represent their skills and abilities, and to share these in online environments in a simple and easily verified way. Badges demonstrate clear evidence of what the student was required to do to earn the micro-credential and what skills, abilities, and knowledge they have gained.
Are micro-credentials eligible for financial assistance?
You can apply financial aid to any coursework you complete that meets the requirements for any micro-credential as long as it fits into your SOU degree program. There is no financial aid available for non-degree seeking students.
Where can I find micro-credential requirements?
Requirements for each micro-credential can be found using links on this page or at https://sou.edu/academics/#micro-credentials .
Current degree-seeking SOU students should note that micro-credential requirements are not tracked in DegreeWorks. Check with your academic advisor to learn more about the requirements.
How does the micro-credential get displayed as a badge?
Once the requirements of the micro-credential have been met, students can submit a request for the badge to be issued using this online form (you must be logged into insideSOU in order to access the form). After confirming that the badge has been approved, SOU submits the badge details to Parchment who issues the badge directly to the learner.
Will micro-credentials appear on student transcripts?
No. Micro-credentials are only represented by badges issued, but any coursework completed in order to earn the badge will appear on academic transcripts.
Do I have to pay for my badge?
Yes. A $10 fee per each badge issued will be charged to your SOU account.
How will I know if I’ve earned a badge?
You will receive an email notification with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.
Can someone else copy my badge and use it?
No. While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on Parchment’s digital platform. This link to verified data makes the badge more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming a micro-credential and the identity associated with it.
Questions about SOU Micro-Credentials?
Contact SOU Admissions
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6411 (local)
855.470.3377 (toll-free)