Microcredentials provide faculty with an opportunity to help students develop and showcase workforce-relevant skills while enhancing course learning experiences. This three-session institute will guide participants through the process of identifying, evaluating, and implementing microcredentials within their courses.  

Faculty will explore strategies for aligning credentials with course outcomes, motivating student participation, and helping students communicate acquired competencies to employers and professional audiences. 

Through hands-on activities and faculty-led discussions, participants will develop a practical implementation plan for integrating a microcredential into a Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 course. The institute will also provide opportunities to explore available credential options, learn how to embed microcredentials into Canvas, and connect credentialing initiatives to career readiness and workforce preparation.

Course Objectives/Outcomes Upon Completion  

• Identify opportunities to incorporate microcredentials into existing courses by aligning credentials with course outcomes and student learning needs.
• Create a student engagement plan that supports microcredential completion and competency storytelling.
• Implement a course-based microcredential strategy that prepares students to communicate workforce-relevant skills.

The Microcredentials Summer Institute consists of a combination of live sessions and asynchronous design work. During our live sessions, participants will collaborate with peers across colleges, share course plans, and receive expert feedback to refine integration of microcredentials. Between sessions, participants will engage in hands-on course development and have access to curated resources and video insights from colleagues who have successfully implemented microcredentials. The hybrid format encourages participants to reflect, foster creativity, and implement new ideas in their teaching.

• Session 1: Aligning Microdredentials with Course Outcomes (July 6th - Facilitator: Forrest Daniels)
  • Topics covered include:
    • Understanding microcredentials
    • Aligning microcredentials with course outcomes
    • Identifying opportunities within existing curriculum
  • Deliverables: Select a course and identify a microcredential aligned with course learning outcomes.
• Session 2: Student Engagement and Competency Storytelling (July 13th - Facilitator: Dr. Jude Okpala)
  • Topics covered include:
    • Motivating student completion
    • Connecting microcredentials to career readiness
    • Helping students communicate acquired competencies
  • Deliverables: Develop a student engagement and communication plan.
• Session 3: Embedding Microcredentials into Canvas and Workforce Preparations (July 23rd - Facilitator: Chelsea Murray and Mario Vela)
  • Topics covered include:
    • Navigating the Coursera catalog
    • Embedding microcredentials in Canvas
    • Connecting credentials to workforce preparation
  • Deliverables: Create an implementation plan for incorporating a microcredential into a Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 course.

These sessions and the testimonies will be incorporated into the self-paced online course “Microcredentials at UTSA | Navigating Microcredentials: Design and Teaching Strategies”. Participants will build course components directly into their Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 courses.

Time Commitment

Participants are expected to commit to:

• Three live synchronous sessions held biweekly from July 3 to July 23, 2026 (approximately 90 minutes each).
• Two course development activities between sessions (estimated 2–3 hours per activity).
• Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 implementation of the microcredential-enhanced course and basic data collection in collaboration with Institutional Research. 

Course Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the Institute, participants must:

• Participate in all three live institute sessions. Make-up assignments will be provided for any missed sessions.
• Complete all module activities, discussions, and deliverables.
• Implement at least one microcredential within a Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 course.
• Administer a student feedback survey and submit a brief reflection on the effectiveness of the microcredential in supporting student learning and career preparation

Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive a certificate of completion and a one-time incentive of $500. Opportunities for continued engagement include co-authoring a blog post, presenting at a teaching symposium, or contributing to future OER development. 

Contact Claudia Arcolin, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Experiences in the office of Teaching, Learning & Digital Transformation, or Joseph Mendez, Learning Experience Designer, if you have any questions.   

Login and Enroll. Expect a follow-up survey to confirm participation.