Stackable credentials focus career and technical education programs on building the critical skills needed for students to advance in growing sectors of the economy.
By awarding credit for a range of education, training, and workplace learning and skill building experiences that “stack” toward associate degrees, stackable credential programs help working students develop the skills they need to advance on the job and earn credentials that enable further study – at the same time. This accelerates credit attainment and may increase the likelihood of degree completion.
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Introduction to Stackable Credentials
Community and technical colleges are increasingly integrating stackable certificates aligned with industry certifications into associate degree programs. This approach allows students to earn valuable credentials while progressing toward their degree, with each certificate serving as a milestone.
Introduction to Stackable Credentials offers strategies for enhancing employer partnerships, designing stackable programs, supporting student success, and adapting to workforce needs. It includes practical tools and best practices, building on the 2018 Stackable Credentials Toolkit.
The Pathways to Credentials and Mapping Upward projects created tutorials offering the perspectives of community college practitioners on issues relevant to stackable credentials.
