This presentation will highlight a new initiative at a large public university to provide upskilling opportunities through Coursera courses, stackable graduate certificates, badges, and online courses. We will discuss the development of these new opportunities, the essential partnerships created, and how others can adopt and adapt the model.

Continued learning has become increasingly important to remain competitive in today’s workplace and on the job market, and many companies and career advisors have noted the importance of upskilling or reskilling to advance in one’s career (Frazer, 2024). Adults in the labor force are often confronted with the need to advance skills or learn new skills to remain competitive, particularly with technological changes and advances in many fields. Indeed Burns (2020) expounds upon the need for lifelong learning in his recent book, The adult learner at work: The challenges of lifelong education in the new millennium. Traditional education (i.e., in the physical classroom), however, is not always an option for those employed full-time. Or perhaps one does not need or want a new degree, just a refresher on selected topics or skills important to their position or discipline. Online education on demand can help address this need and meet adult learners in the workforce where they are.

Through collaboration with teams of faculty who are subject matter experts, instructional design support, video production specialists, and administrators and staff, our team has created five new graduate certificate programs in agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences. These certificates are comprised of graduate courses; each course includes foundational content which is provided through Coursera courses. Our Coursera offerings include over 20 courses to help learners gain general knowledge, learn new skills and upgrade existing skills, or simply further personal interests. These courses were created and are taught by our world-class faculty who are experts in their field. Courses can be started at any time and completed at the learner’s pace. Learners who are interested in for-credit courses more can use the Coursera courses as a foundation for learning and explore our for-credit options available online. Credits earned in these courses can then be applied toward a graduate certificate. Certificates can also be stacked toward an online master’s degree. This gives adult learners options – from brief Coursera courses to refresh or learn skills, to for-credit courses, to a fully online master’s degree. This approach to stackable courses and credentials allows learners to choose their own pace and final destination on their path to academic success. Certificates and badges can help learners develop expertise, stand out from peers, and promote career success.

Key Takeaways:

The three key takeaways from this presentation include:

1. An overview of the initiative with options for upskilling adult learners

2. The partnerships created to implement the initiative

3. Ways attendees can implement a similar model at their own institutions

Summary: This presentation will highlight a new initiative at a large public university to provide educational opportunities on demand through Coursera courses, stackable graduate certificates, badges, and online courses. We will discuss the development of these new opportunities, the essential partnerships created, and how others can adopt and adapt the model.

References:

Abramovich, S., & Reed, A. (2024). Whitepaper: Creating assessments for micro-credentials in higher education organizations. University at Buffalo. https://www.buffalo.edu/content/dam/www/micro-credentials/OMC%20Whitepaper%20FINAL.pdf

Burns, R. (2020). Adult Learner at Work: The challenges of lifelong education in the new millennium. Routledge.

Frazer, L. (2024, July 30). Upskilling and going back to school: When, how, and why you should. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-and-when-to-upskill