Pfeiffer University has begun offering free micro-credentialing programs that enable students to gain specialized knowledge that will make them more marketable to employers.

Several programs in the Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Strategic Communication and Social Media majors are already available, with new offerings coming soon.

An upcoming program for Pfeiffer’s Nursing students, for example, will ensure they are able to identify and assist victims of human trafficking from among their patients. Now in development, the micro-credential will offer a formal recognition of training that has been included in the nursing program curriculum for years. Pfeiffer’s Department of Education is also set to offer a micro-credentialing program in conjunction with Microsoft and the International Society of Technology in Education beginning this semester.

Students who earn the micro-credentials can enhance their resumes or post the qualification on their LinkedIn pages and other online sites used by recruiters seeking job candidates.

“Micro-credentials, when integrated into degree programs at Pfeiffer, offer several educational benefits that enhance both learning and employability,” said Dr. Dawn Lucas, Pfeiffer’s Interim Dean, Undergraduate College and Chair, Teacher Education. “Micro-credentials focus on particular skills or competencies, allowing students to gain expertise in niche areas while helping to bridge theoretical knowledge and practical, job-ready skills. 

“By earning micro-credentials that address industry-specific emerging trends recognized by industry partners, students immediately enhance the value of their degree. We are very excited to begin offering stackable micro-credentials that complement our degree programs.”

Dr. Ali Sever, a professor of Computer Information Systems at Pfeiffer, echoed Lucas’ sentiments.

“We’re creating a curriculum as part of our program so that the students can take these classes,” he said. “Our graduates are going to be recognized by industry as having the necessary skills.”

He added that micro-credentialing initiatives help boost retention and success rates among students, while keeping Pfeiffer competitive with other universities that offer similar programs.

Currently, CIS offers three micro-credentialing programs, and CIS students are required to complete at least one. A program called SAS – Pfeiffer University Academic Specialization in Data Analytics is based on a partnership with SAS, a leader in analytics. Students who complete two SAS-approved courses within Pfeiffer’s CIS curriculum are awarded the SAS Academic Specialization in Data Analytics credential from Pfeiffer University; this includes a digital badge with verified metadata that can be posted on social media platforms.

Another CIS-sponsored micro-credentialing program entails membership in the AWS Academy. After engaging in real-world projects through the Academy that prepare them for cloud-computing roles, students can earn certifications that demonstrate they are job-ready upon graduation.

Finally, CIS students may take courses offered by the Cisco Networking and Cybersecurity Academy. The courses prepare students to sit for certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and other industry-relevant credentials in networking and security. They equip them with a deep understanding of networking principles, cybersecurity measures, and the necessary tools to protect and manage enterprise-level networks.

In Pfeiffer’s Strategic Communication and Social Media program, micro-credentialing is featured in a course called Introduction to Social Media, with students pursuing required HubSpot Academy certifications in three areas: Social Media Marketing I & II, and Google Analytics. These certifications signify mastery of essential skills such as creating social media strategies, understanding analytics, and managing social media campaigns.

Claudia Gresham, an Adjunct Professor of Strategic Communication and Social Media at Pfeiffer, teaches Introduction to Social Media. She said the course’s HubSpot offerings familiarize students with everything from critical terminology to the mechanics of running effective social media campaigns.

“If you go to work for a business, you don’t just throw something out there (on social media) and dust your hands off and say, ‘I’m finished,’” she said. “You have to monitor. Is it getting engagement, is it getting likes? Is it getting click-throughs?”

When the micro-credentialing on human trafficking that is taking shape in Pfeiffer’s Nursing program becomes a reality, it will be among the first in the country that certifies nursing students’ ability to recognize and care for victims of human trafficking, which has been defined as “an act in which a victim is pressured to perform labor or a commercial sex act through force, fraud or coercion.” Dr. Dana Martin, a Professor and Interim Department Chair of Pfeiffer’s Nursing program, teamed up with Dr. Susan Furr in 2023 to write a report about the training in the Journal of Professional Nursing.

During the training, senior nursing students use a course on Community Health Nursing to complete the SOAR to Health and Wellness Education curriculum offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Trafficking in Persons. SOAR — which stands for Stop, Observe, Ask, Respond — includes modules on trauma-informed care, cultural and linguistic appropriateness, and disaster management.

After the students complete the modules, at the beginning of a semester, they apply their knowledge at the semester’s conclusion, in a simulation involving a person posing as a human-trafficking victim.

Lucas envisions a future where “every department is offering multiple micro-credentials through their degree programs to enable students to build a portfolio of certifications while they are enrolled at Pfeiffer.” “New offerings will be added over the next year,” she added. “We have a task force of faculty working to identify emerging trends and address industry specific demands in order to ensure our graduates stay current with workforce demands.”