SUNY Canton Joins SUNY-Wide Microcredential Initiative to Upskill Students and Employees

Canton, NY (02/15/2022) — SUNY Canton has added microcredentials to its flexible and convenient professionally driven course offerings.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the expansion of fast and flexible learning options with more than 400 microcredentials across 31 SUNY campuses to help everyone from current students to working professionals gain skills, knowledge, and experience that employers are looking for. Microcredentials are designed to be completed in a shorter timeframe than a college degree, taking one or two semesters, not years, to complete, and providing immediate evidence of skills mastered via a college transcript or digital badge.

"Microcredentials are the latest extension of SUNY Canton's renowned flexible educational options," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "Obtaining a microcredential can help students add value to their education or use them as a foundation towards a career and additional higher education."

The college currently offers five microcredentials through its Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity (CJIC), with topics ranging from drone surveillance to death investigations.

"If a SUNY Canton student can graduate with a degree and one or more microcredentials listed on their transcripts, we know that student will be more desirable in the workforce," said Professor and CJIC Director Elizabeth A. Brown. "We will build upon our microcredential options to offer opportunities for working professionals to expand their knowledge base in order to gain a promotion without having to complete a full degree."

The college's largest four-year degree, Health Care Management, is designing industry-specific microcredentials for those who are already employed. The department plans to create a series of stackable courses for non-degree students in health cybersecurity; medical billing and coding; healthcare leadership; among several other hospital or nursing home-specific options.

"There are so many area organizations that can benefit from our microcredential opportunities," said Associate Professor Marela Fiacco, Ph.D, who serves as the Health Care Management Chair. "They will help us create career readiness for our current students and help upskill professionals with leadership abilities."

SUNY has begun actively promoting microcredentials as convenient, short-term learning options. They emphasize SUNY's high-quality academics offered through in-demand formats. They are both stackable and portable, meaning they are designed to meet current and emerging market demands and industry standards. Microcredentials can also benefit those who are looking to change careers or stay on top of advancements within their profession.