SLU Expands Microcredentials and Digital Badges to Support Student Success and Lifelong Learning
This May, the Office of the University Registrar began issuing digital badges to acknowledge student completion of their SLU microcredentials.
These digital badges, designed in collaboration with the Division of Marketing and Communications, facilitate the seamless management, dissemination, and communication of students’ competencies to prospective employers, graduate institutions, and professional networks. Each digital badge is authenticated and seamlessly integrates with the academic catalog entry, thereby ensuring its veracity while empowering students to confidently narrate their academic and professional journeys.
Microcredentials were first offered at SLU in Fall 2023; a complete list of can be found in the SLU catalog. Guided by the University’s microcredential policy, these offerings reflect SLU’s commitment to innovative, high-quality learning experiences that address evolving workforce needs while maintaining academic excellence.
"The competency-based Microcredential in Interprofessional Collaboration recognizes clinical and other authentic learning activities that don’t often reside in discrete didactic courses," said Anthony Breitbach, Ph.D., director of interprofessional education. "It has been well-received, and students report a high level of confidence around core competencies; as well as mission-fit and professional socialization for collaboration. Participating programs feel that this opportunity provides a differentiator for their graduates, assists in meeting accreditation standards and it is also a catalyst for collaborative innovation in pedagogy across programs."
SLU’s work in this area has gained national recognition. André Zampaulo, Ph.D., chair of linguistics, literatures, and cultures, was recently invited to present a webinar on microcredential development hosted by Vista Higher Learning. Participants from approximately 135 institutions across the country attended the session, reflecting widespread interest in strategies that place student learning outcomes at the center of credential design.
Attendee feedback described the presentation as “very insightful,” “inspirational,” and “the most informative webinar,” underscoring SLU’s growing leadership in this emerging space.
Through the continued implementation of its microcredential policy and the expansion of digital badging, Saint Louis University is creating accessible, meaningful pathways for students to translate learning into impact. These efforts reinforce SLU’s commitment to student-centered education.