Microcredentials

Microcredentials are stand-alone credentials intended for non-matriculated students seeking skills, certifications, or competencies. Matriculated students may seek a micro-credential award through the use of elective courses. A digital badge represents competencies and various learning achievements. Badges may be displayed on online platforms and can be listed on a student’s resume.

What is a Microcredential?

Microcredentials are short, focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills, know-how, and experience. Stackable microcredentials can also provide a pathway to a certificate or full degree at Cayuga, now or when you are ready.

Who Can Earn a Microcredential?

Current students, alumni, anyone seeking to advance their career or increase their earning potential. Those needing to upskill or make a career change, or those looking to come back to the job market. Cayuga can create an engaging learning opportunity to that fits their needs. Contact Admissions today to learn more!

How Does a Microcredential Work?

SUNY microcredentials often combine courses from our registered degree programs, innovative applied learning experiences, preparation for industry certifications, and/or non-credit coursework. A microcredential could be coursework alone (the most common microcredential length is three courses), a series of workshops, or a combination of coursework and an applied learning experience or certification preparation.

Accounting and Tax Skills

Earners of this designation have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Peachtree, and tax software. Earners can use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access to set up a company’s accounting records and perform accounting functions in both QuickBooks and Peachtree. Earners have knowledge of current Federal tax laws, federal and state forms, and filing requirements for small businesses.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 090 Small Business Accounting 2
BUS 221 Accounting Applications 3
BUS 222 Federal Income Tax 3
BUS 225 Microcomputer Application Software 3

Accounting Fraud Recognition

Earners of this badge will demonstrate a basic knowledge of Accounting Principles and Fraud Recognition. Earners will be able to prepare Financial Statements and analyze them to detect fraud. Recommended course but not required is CJ 111 - Intro to Justice Systems.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 101 Principles of Accounting I 4
BUS 102 Principles of Accounting II 4
BUS 217 Fraud Examination 3

Business Applications

Successfully demonstrated proficiency in various business application software and has achieved the skills necessary for an office environment.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 225 Microcomputer Application Software 3
BUS 226 Advanced Micro Application Software 3
CS 219 Database Management Systems 3
BUS 260 Introduction to Project Management 3

Career Connections

Non-Credit Option

Students who achieve this credential have identified the steps of an effective job search and learned the stages of the interview process. They have also developed valuable communication skills necessary to write an effective cover letter and interview potential employers.

Career Goals

Non-Credit Option

Students who complete this credential have taken a career assessment to identify career-specific and general employment skills and career and employment goals. They also have knowledge of employment advice from real-world employers.

Career Professionalism

Non-Credit Option

Students who achieve this credential have developed strategies for protecting their online employment reputation and built networking connections through LinkedIn and other career networking sites. They have also incorporated identifiable skills and competencies into a resume.

Creative Writing & the Literary Imagination

Develop the foundations of creative writing and storytelling by reading the literary classics and applying that knowledge to the creative writing process. For those who want to utilize writing for imaginative endeavors.

Standards

Association of Writers and Writing Programs

A series of Hallmarks for member programs, teachers, and conferences. For degree-conferring programs in creative writing, these hallmarks serve to establish professional standards for the field, reinforce AWP’s commitment to excellence in teaching, and reflect our continued support of writers in the academy.

Courses Credit Hours
ENGL 211 Creative Writing 3
Two literature courses from Cayuga’s ENGL 200 Level–Writing Intensive offerings.

Destination Marketing

Earners of the “Destination Marketing” badge demonstrate that they can effectively market a destination through traditional and contemporary marketing approaches. Students successfully market a destination utilizing publicity, advertising, and social media marketing tools.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 255 Tourist Destinations 3
BUS 254 Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism 3
BUS 232 Introduction to Social Media Marketing 3

Electro-Mechanical System Fundamentals

Non-Credit Option

Earners of the EMS Fundamentals prepare for entry positions in industrial facilities, specifically those that require the operation of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical motor controls and associated precision measurement tools. Earners can read and interpret basic electrical and mechanical schematics to troubleshoot, perform calculations used in the trade, and demonstrate communication skills for the workplace.

This microcredential prepares students for entry positions in industrial facilities, specifically those requiring the operation of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical motor controls and associated precision measurement tools. Earners are able to read and interpret basic electrical and mechanical schematics to troubleshoot, perform calculations used in the trade, and demonstrate communication skills for the workplace. Upon matriculation, individuals who successfully complete this microcredential earn 4 credits to fulfill Cayuga Community College’s ELEC 221 Industrial Maintenance Practices course.

This credit may be applied to Cayuga’s Electrical Technology AAS, Industrial Maintenance Technology certificate, or Advanced Manufacturing certificate programs.

Courses
Problem-Solving
Workplace Communications
Measuring Instruments
Introduction to Electro-Mechanical Control Schematics
Introduction to Basic Pneumatics
Introduction to Basic Hydraulics
Introduction to Electrical Motor Controls

Events Planning

Earners of the “Events Planning” badge have the basic knowledge to start a business as an event planner. Students demonstrate that they can effectively plan events such as corporate events, conferences, workshops, celebrations and conventions through traditional and contemporary marketing approaches. Additionally, students have an understanding of the steps involved in starting their own event planning business.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 248 Event Planning 3
ENTR 200 The Entrepreneurial Process 3
BUS 216 Personal Selling 3

Honors Critical Thinking

Students who earn the Honors Critical Thinking credential are accepted into the Honors study due to their level of academic commitment. They exemplify leadership qualities through their academic coursework and critical thinking skills and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.

This will be awarded to students for achieving competency in research and analysis of complex societal issues.

Courses Credit Hours
HON 101 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
HON 202 Honors Seminar 3
Participation as a presenter in the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference.

Honors Leadership

Students who earn the Honors Leadership credential are accepted into the Honors study due to their level of academic commitment. They exemplify leadership qualities through their academic coursework and leadership role at the college and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.

This will be awarded to students who have taken the required honors electives and/or participated in co-curricular activities that require them to take a leadership role. This includes community service, taking a leadership role in a student club, or peer tutoring.

Courses Credit Hours
HON 101 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
HON 202 Honors Seminar 3
Choose one of the following:
  2 electives  
  1 elective and a leadership role in one of the following:
community service project, student activities club, or tutoring as determined by Honors Advisor
 

IT Support

Demonstrated ability to provide client support, troubleshooting, and desktop support skills. Proficiency in computer hardware, client and desktop support, and office applications. Prerequisite: CS120 or related computer experience for CS 225.

Courses Credit Hours
CS 080 Microcomputer Maintenance 1
CS 082 Help Desk 1
CS 120 Foundations of Computer Science 3
BUS 225 Microcomputer Application Software 3
CS 225 Introduction to Networks 3

Level II K-12 Teaching Assistant Pathway

Achievement of Level II competency for teaching assistant at the K-12 level. Demonstrated understanding of educational theories and styles of learning and the American educational system. Able to employ effective communication strategies in the classroom. Pre-cursor to achievement is Level I competency.

Courses Credit Hours
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
ENGL 130/COMM 130 Human Communication 3
EDU 202 Foundations of American Education 3

Level III K-12 Teaching Assistant Pathway

Achievement of Level III competency for teaching assistant at the K-12 level. A demonstrated understanding of educational theories and styles of learning and the American educational system. Ability to employ effective communication strategies in the classroom. Pre-cursor required: Level I and II proficiency.

Courses Credit Hours
PSY 215
OR
PSY 216
Child Psychology
OR
Adolescent Psychology
3
PSY 217 Introduction to Children with Exceptionalities 3
SOC 110 Race and Ethnicity 3

Literary Journal Publisher

Students experience the publishing process from an editor's perspective. They edit in teams under strict deadlines and effectively publish a literary journal. They practice arrangement, proofreading, and layout and receive the endorsement of Cayuga Community College's writing faculty.

One course from the following Creative and Professional Writing electives.

Courses Credit Hours
ENGL 120 Being Writers 1
ENGL211 Creative Writing 3
ENGL 270
OR
ENGL 293
Technical Writing
OR
Special Topics (if on writing)
3

Recommendation by a writing faculty member for work completed on Cayuga’s creative arts journal: Listen.

Machining Fundamentals

Non-Credit Option

Earners of the Machining Fundamentals Microcredential prepare for entry positions in industrial machining practices, specifically those requiring manual mills, surface grinders and manual lathes, CNC machinery, and associated precision measurement tools. Earners can read and interpret basic machining drawings and set up tooling and metal cutting equipment, perform basic calculations used in the trade, and demonstrate communication skills for the workplace.

Courses
Workplace Communications
Problem Solving
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
Introduction to Machining and Tools
Introduction to CNC Machining

Marketing Events

Earners of the “Marketing Events” badge demonstrate that they can effectively plan and market events such as corporate events, conferences, workshops, celebrations, and conventions through traditional and contemporary marketing approaches. Students successfully plan and market an authentic event utilizing publicity, advertising, and social media marketing tools.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 248 Event Planning 3
BUS 254 Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism 3
BUS 232 Introduction to Social Media Marketing 3

Networking

The earner of this badge has a fundamental understanding of network design, support, administration, and troubleshooting. Prerequisite: CS120 or related computer experience for CS 225, CS 237.

Courses Credit Hours
CS 120 Foundations of Computer Science 3
CS 225 Introduction to Networks 3
CS 215 Systems Analysis and Design 3
CS 227 Microsoft Windows Server Administration 3
CS 237 Internet Security 3

Non-Profit Accounting

Earners of this designation have demonstrated the basic level of accounting and financial statement preparation for a profit and non-profit business. Earners are able to prepare and analyze financial statements for both a profit and non-profit business.

Courses Credit Hours
BUS 101 Principles of Accounting I 4
BUS 102 Principles of Accounting II 4
BUS 246 Non-Profit Accounting 3