Microcredential Policy

Policy Statement/Background:

Stony Brook University abides by the definition of a microcredential established by the State University of New York: “SUNY microcredentials verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They are valid learning experiences with learning outcomes, assessments, and examples of student work. SUNY microcredentials are endorsed by the issuing institution, having been developed through established faculty governance processes and are designed to be meaningful and high quality.”

Microcredentials are not recognized as formal awards by the NY State Department of Education (NYSED) and approval from NYSED is not required. SUNY policy, however, requires that approved microcredentials are reported to SUNY, and that microcredentials are recorded on the student’s transcript. Stony Brook awards microcredentials at the graduate level.

Policy:

Consistent with SUNY’s microcredential definition and policy, Stony Brook University requires microcredentials to be developed through established faculty governance processes. All microcredentials, including academic non-credit microcredentials and co-curricular microcredentials, must involve faculty in the approval process. Proposals for academic microcredentials (credit and non-credit) must be approved through established faculty curriculum development processes at the College/School or equivalent level and forwarded to the Graduate Council of the University Senate for review and approval. Proposals for co-curricular microcredentials (non-credit only) must include review and endorsement by a faculty group, such as an advisory committee, and then must be forwarded to the Graduate Council of the University Senate for review and approval. Following approval by the Graduate Council, the Provost must review and approve proposals for new microcredentials. Following approval by the Provost, the Provost’s Office will notify the Stony Brook University Registrar; the Office of Institutional Research, Planning & Effectiveness; other relevant Stony Brook University offices; SUNY; and any other entity as required.

Microcredentials must include a minimum of 6 credits of academic coursework and may not include more than 11 credits of academic coursework. Courses included in microcredentials may be a part of a larger certificate or degree program. Microcredentials may include the same academic coursework as a specialization or concentration, consistent with the limits above, and students may receive a microcredential designation in addition to a specialization or concentration. Non-credit microcredentials must contain an equivalent amount of work to credit-bearing microcredentials.

Matriculated and non-matriculated students may pursue microcredentials. Microcredential programs may not be limited to matriculated students. Microcredential programs may incorporate admission requirements to ensure degrees to complete a microcredential; a microcredential may be conferred before students who enrolled are capable of successful performance. Students matriculated in degree or certificate programs may not delay conferral of their degrees to complete a microcredential; a microcredential may be conferred before [insert new link, current one isn't leading anywhere for me] or after completion of a formal degree or certificate. Student enrollment in and completion of microcredential programs must be recorded in the University’s official student information system. A student may earn a maximum of five graduate microcredentials.

Definitions:

None

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Office of the Provost
407Administration Building 
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-7000
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/provost/

Relevant Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations, Statutes and Policies:

• SUNY Microcredentialing Task Force Report