New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of fast and flexible learning options with more than 400 microcredentials across 31 SUNY campuses to help everyone from current students to working professionals gain skills, knowledge, and experience that employers are looking for. Microcredentials are designed to be completed in a shorter timeframe than a college degree, taking one or two semesters, not years, to complete, and providing immediate evidence of skills mastered via a college transcript or digital badge.
“As the strongest public university system in the country, SUNY is well-positioned to lead the way in preparing New Yorkers for the rapidly-evolving job market of the future,” Governor Hochul said. “The microcredential program will enable New Yorkers of all professional backgrounds to gain the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for, more immediately and flexibly than a traditional college course-load allows. This forward-looking approach to higher education will position New York as the destination state for businesses demanding a highly-skilled and dynamic workforce.”
Focused in more than 60 areas of study, SUNY’s microcredentials are in high-demand fields including healthcare, business, education, clean energy, information technology, criminal justice, and advanced manufacturing. Every microcredential provides immediate, workforce-ready skills, and most (64 percent) offer academic credits toward another microcredential, certificate, or an initial or advanced degree. SUNY campuses can customize microcredentials to help meet the workforce needs of businesses, P-12, or community organizations.
Microcredentials are one offering in line with the Governor’s State of the State call to lead in adult learning opportunities and help New Yorkers close the skills gap. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 74 percent of hiring managers agree that the market is seeing a skills gap, with 48 percent of candidates lacking the skills needed to fill open positions. In addition, 74 percent of human resource managers say they now require the submission of a credential when hiring.
In addition to offering new and innovative educational programs to bridge skills gaps, the Governor has also called for a review of college and university practices to eliminate barriers for students. In her State of the State, she directed SUNY and CUNY leadership to end the practice of withholding transcripts from students with outstanding balances, which was implemented within weeks of her address. Having a transcript allows students to re-enroll in a campus, transfer credits, complete their degree, and obtain jobs that could help them pay down their unpaid balance.
SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “Microcredentials are sought after by employers and employees alike in affirming more specialized skills needed now in healthcare, information technology, and many other fields. SUNY was one of the first university systems in the country to adopt an innovative microcredential policy to close skills gaps for adult learners, with a focus on academic quality first and foremost. Through the expertise of our faculty and in partnership with community, regional and state partners, we now have a large portfolio of high-quality microcredentials so that we may begin to meet Governor Hochul’s goal to help more New Yorkers learn the skills needed for today’s workforce.”
SUNY’s microcredential program continues to grow and evolve, with current priorities centered on: enhanced communication about available microcredentials; identification of gaps in industries or professions relevant to the state; creating more pathways from entry-level to advanced employment and from certificates to advanced degrees; and streamlining application and transcript processes. As part of the Governor’s goal, SUNY will continue to prioritize recruitment and educational programs, and conduct surveys to identify and reduce barriers for adult learners.
SUNY has been a national and global leader in microcredential development. SUNY’s program is distinct in a competitive national environment because its microcredentials are taught by SUNY faculty and focus on strict quality standards to award college credit. While SUNY’s microcredentials are responsive to national and international trends and professional standards, they are also aligned to local, regional, and state workforce needs.
Campuses Currently Offering Microcredentials:
SUNY Adirondack, University at Albany, Binghamton University, Broome Community College, Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, SUNY Canton, Cayuga Community College, SUNY Cobleskill, Columbia-Greene Community College, Corning Community College, Dutchess Community College, Empire State College, SUNY Erie, Farmingdale State College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Genesee Community College, SUNY Geneseo, Hudson Valley Community College, Jefferson Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Monroe Community College, Niagara County Community College, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Old Westbury, SUNY Optometry, Rockland Community College, SUNY Schenectady, Tompkins Cortland Community College, SUNY Ulster, and Upstate Medical University.
Microcredentials are offered in 60 areas including:
- Accounting, finance, and taxation
- Supply chain, project management, and business practices in the US
- Entrepreneurship, leadership, and marketing
- Non-profit, small business, and grant writing
- Computer science, data science, and analytics
- IT, cybersecurity, networking, cloud, and support
- Esports and gaming
- Renewable energy, green building, and clean technology
