Micro-pathways
A gateway to community college transformation
30+ micro-pathways co-created with colleges, learners, and employers through the Lab’s Community College Growth Engine since 2021.
What is a micro-pathway?
Co-designed with learners and employers, micro-pathways are two or more stackable credentials, including a 21st century skill micro-credential, that are flexibly delivered to be achieved within less than a year and result in a job at or above the local median wage, and start learner-earners on the path to an associate degree.
30+ New Models
The first Community College Growth Engine cohort developed 30 micro-pathways from October 2020 to December 2021. Most of the colleges focused on meeting the needs of adult learners, as nationally we witnessed the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on displacing many from their jobs and incomes.
Each micro-pathway provides entry and exit points to a clear career path and to securing a sustainable job with options for growth. Selected occupations are based on regional demand, and depending on state and/or regional economic development conditions, some are more focused on emerging industries and occupations.
Information Technology (IT)
User Experience (UX) Designer Certificate
CUNY Kingsborough Community College’s User Experience (UX) Designer Certificate leads to a career as a User Experience (UX) Designer.
This micro-pathway is offered in 8 or 18 week formats and provides completers with a technical skill credential and a 21st Century Skill Micro-Credential in Intercultural Fluency. Completers may apply six college credit units towards higher learning.
Software Engineering Micro-credential
CUNY Queensborough Community College’s Software Engineering Micro-credential leads to a career as an Entry-level Software Engineer.
This micro-pathway can be completed in 4-8 weeks depending on enrollment status and includes two credentials, one for technical skills and the other for 21st century skills. Completers may apply 6 credits towards higher credentials.
Routing + Switching Certificate
Ivy Tech Community College's Routing + Switching Certificate leads to a career as a Broadband Technician.
This micro-pathway can be completed in four months full-time or part-time. It includes two stackable technical skills credentials and 21st skills embedded. Learners earn 16 credits towards higher credentials.
IT/Cybersecurity FastTrack
Pima Community College's IT/Cybersecurity FastTrack leads to a career as a Computer User Support Specialist.
This micro-pathway can be completed in eight months part-time,. It includes five stackable credentials, four are technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, and 12 credits applied towards higher credentials.
IT Support Specialist Certificate
Prince George's Community College's IT Support Specialist Certificate leads to a career as an IT Support Specialist.
This micro-pathway can be completed in up to 12 months in a Competency-based Education format. It includes either four or six stackable technical skills credentials and a 21st century skill credential. Learners can apply credits towards higher credentials.
Extended Reality (XR) Certificate
Seattle Colleges' Extended Reality (XR) Certificate leads to a career as a XR Junior Developer.
This micro-pathway can be completed in nine months full-time and is worth 45 credits. It offers four stackable credentials, including three technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill.
Data Analytics Certificate
CUNY LaGuardia Community College’s Data Analytics Certificate leads to a career as an Entry-level Data Analyst.
This micro-pathway can be completed in 4-20 weeks depending on full or part-time status. Students earn five certifications and may apply three credits toward higher credentials upon successful completion of the program.
Cloud Computing Micro-credential
CUNY Queensborough Community College’s Cloud Computing Micro-credential leads to a career as an Entry-level Cloud Engineer.
This micro-pathway can be completed in 8-12 weeks depending on enrollment status and offers five technical certifications and a 21st century credential. Completers may apply up to nine units towards higher credential at the college.
Cybersecurity Certificate
CUNY LaGuardia Community College’s Cybersecurity Certificate leads to a career as a Cybersecurity Professional.
This micro-pathway is a nine-month part-time program. Successful completers earn five certifications and can apply a minimum of 3 units towards higher credentials.
Cloud Computing Certificate
Seattle Colleges' Cloud Computing Certificate leads to a career as a Cloud Practitioner.
This micro-pathway can be completed in two quarters part-time. It offers four stackable credentials, including three technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with up to 10 credits articulated towards higher credentials.
Cloud Systems Administration Certificate
Ivy Tech Community College's Cloud Systems Administration Certificate leads to a career as a Cloud Support Engineer.
This micro-pathway can be completed in six months full-time. It includes three stackable technical skills credentials with 21st century skills embedded. Learners earn 19 credits towards higher credentials.
Healthcare
Healthcare Technician (Administrative) Certificate
Prince George's Community College's Healthcare Technician (Administrative) Certificate leads to a career as a Healthcare Technician (Administrative).
This micro-pathway can be completed in up to 12 months in a Competency-based Education format. It offers six stackable credentials, including two industry certifications, two college certificates, and two 21st century skill credentials. Learners can apply credits towards higher credentials.
Health IT Certificate
Seattle Colleges' Health IT Certificate leads to a career as an Epic Associate.
This micro-pathway can be completed in nine months full-time and is worth 45 credits. It offers three stackable credentials, including two technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill.
Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College’s Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate leads to a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
This micro-pathway can be completed in nine months part-time in conjunction with the senior year of high school. It includes six stackable credentials, 3 for technical skills and three for 21st century skills and offers 4 credits towards higher credentials.
Emergency Medical Services FastTrack
Pima Community College's Emergency Medical Services FastTrack leads to a career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
This micro-pathway can be completed in 10 weeks full-time with three stackable credentials, including two technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Community Health Worker Certificate
CUNY LaGuardia Community College’s Community Health Worker Certificate leads to a career as a Community Health Worker.
This micro-pathway can be completed in four-six months and offers students certifications in technical, applied, and 21st century skill areas. Completers may apply six units towards higher credentials at the college.
Building Trades
Residential Construction Certificate
Seattle Colleges' Residential Construction Certificate micro-pathway leads to a career as a Builder/Remodeler.
This micro-pathway can be completed in 12 months part-time. It offers three stackable credentials, including two technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, and applies 30 credits towards higher credentials.
Plumbing FastTrack
Pima Community College's Plumbing FastTrack leads to a career as a Plumber.
This micro-pathways can be completed in three months full-time. It offers four stackable credentials, including three technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Electrical FastTrack
Pima Community College's Electrical FastTrack leads to a career as an Electrician.
This micro-pathway can be completed in three months full-time. It offers three stackable credentials, including two technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Carpentry FastTrack
Pima Community College's Carpentry FastTrack leads to a career as a Carpenter.
This micro-pathway can be completed in three months full-time. It offers three stackable credentials, including two technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Helper Mechanic Certificate
Prince George's Community College's Helper Mechanic Certificate leads to a career as a mechanic.
This micro-pathway can be completed in up to 16 weeks in a Competency-based Education format. It offers six stackable credentials. Learners can apply credits towards higher credentials.
HVAC FastTrack
Pima Community College's HVAC FastTrack leads to a career as an HVAC Technician.
This micro-pathways can be completed in three months full-time. It offers four stackable credentials, including three technical skills credentials and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Advanced Manufacturing
Automated Industrial Technology FastTrack
Pima Community College's Automated Industrial Technology FastTrack micro-pathway leads to a career as an Industrial Engineering Mechanic.
The program is offered in 3 months, part-time, and in noncredit, with up to 7 credits earned going towards higher credentials.
Smart Manufacturing Digital Integration
Ivy Tech Community College's Smart Manufacturing Digital Integration leads to a career as an Electro/Mechanical Manufacturing Technician.
This micro-pathway can be completed in four months full-time or part-time. It includes three industry certifications, an internship for those new to advanced manufacturing, and six credits towards higher credentials.
Production Associate Certificate
Austin Community College's Production Associate Certificate micro-pathway leads to a career as a Manufacturing Assembler/Specialist.
This micro-pathway can be completed in four months full-time or eight months part-time. It includes two stackable technical skills credentials with a 21st century skill embedded, an internship, and 14 credits applied towards higher credentials.
Business
Project Management Certificate
Seattle Colleges' Project Management Certificate micro-pathway leads to a career as a First-line Supervisor.
This micro-pathway can be completed in nine months full-time and is worth 28-31 credits. It offers four industry certifications, a college certificate and one 21st century skills credential.
Business Office Technology Certificate
Austin Community College's Business Office Technology Certificate micro-pathway leads to a career as an Administrative Assistant.
This micro-pathway can be completed in three months full-time or five months part-time. It includes two stackable technical skills credentials with a 21st century skill embedded and 19 credits applied towards higher credentials.
Automotive
Automotive FastTrack
Pima Community College's Automotive FastTrack leads to a career as an Automotive Service Technician.
This micro-pathway can be completed in three months full-time. It offers two stackable credentials, including one technical skills credential and one 21st century skill, with nine credits applied towards higher credentials.
Hospitality
Hospitality Leadership Certificate
Prince George's Community College's Hospitality Leadership Certificate leads to a career as a Leader in Hospitality Services.
This micro-pathway can be completed in up to 12 months in a Competency-based Education format. It offers 10 stackable credentials, including four industry certifications, four college certificates, and two 21st century skill credentials. Learners can apply credits towards higher credentials.
Supply Chain + Logistics
CDL Plus Certificate
Ivy Tech Community College's CDL Plus Certificate leads to a career as a Heavy Truck and Trailer Driver.
This micro-pathway can be completed in three months full-time. It includes a technical skills credential with embedded 21st century skills and either two industry certifications or an internship. Learners earn 18 credits towards higher credentials.
The Lab’s Community College Growth Engine is a design accelerator to work with community colleges and systems across the country to co-create a new class of credentials: micro-pathways.
The Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) is a design accelerator that selected six of the most forward-leaning community colleges and systems in the country to lead a demonstration of how community colleges can leverage innovation capacity, regional partnerships, and dynamic labor market data to identify and build sub-degree micro-pathways with designated credentials that employers validate.
Press + Media
Work Shift op-ed: What’s in your (skills) wallet?
Skills look to be the currency of the future. Creating wallets to hold them will mean breaking down a “labyrinth of silos,” writes Dr. Naomi Boyer of Education Design Lab. Aug. 16, 2023.View StoryWATCH: Lab expert joins Chronicle of Higher Education forum on Transcript of the Future
Dr. Naomi Boyer, the Lab's Senior Vice President of Digital Transformation, joined a panel of experts for The Chronicle of Higher Education's virtual forum, “The Transcript of the Future,” on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Watch…View StoryEdSurge column: The power of micro-credentials
In his March 23, 2023, column, Mordecai I. Brownlee, president of the Community College of Aurora (Colorado), explains how micro-credentials co-designed with employers and the Education Design Lab are creating more affordable academic options.View StoryCommunity College Daily: Fast-track learning
Pima Community College's micro-pathways are featured in this January 2023 excerpt from Community College Journal, the bimonthly magazine of the American Association of Community Colleges.View StoryHigher Ed Dive: Can higher education really be redesigned to connect learners and the workforce?
Bill Hughes, Education Design Lab’s CEO, talks about the nonprofit’s work in this October 2022 Q&A with Higher Ed Dive.View StoryHechinger Report: Rethinking community college supports for single moms
The Lab's Single Moms Success Design Challenge was featured in this Sept. 16, 2022, story in The Hechinger Report.View StoryOpen Campus: Can virtual welding help solve the density challenge?
Robert Nye, president of Finger Lakes Community College and BRIDGES Rural partner, talks about their GRIT pilot program in this Sept. 8, 2022, Mile Markers story.View StoryPodcast: Catalyzing Change in Rural Spaces
Senior Education Designer Leslie Daugherty, EdD, joins Episode 9 of the Rural College Student Experience podcast, July 19, 2022.View StoryInside Higher Ed: Concrete ways to teach students resilience
In his June 29, 2022, op-ed for Inside Higher Ed, Brian LaDuca writes about the resilience micro-credential the University of Dayton created in collaboration with the Lab.View StoryeCampusNews: How two institutions tackle micro-credentials
Two Lab partners — the University of Maine System and Pima Community College — are featured in this June 20, 2022, story published by eCampusNews.View StoryMicro-pathways: An urgent gateway for community college transformation
Op-ed by Lab Founder + CEO Kathleen deLaski published on June 15, 2022, by the Charles Koch Foundation.View StoryTrending in Ed podcast: Skills Visibility and Equity with Kathleen deLaski
Podcast published on May 23, 2022, by Trending in Education. Interview by Mike Palmer.View StoryeCampus News: Is K-12 ready for skills-based hiring?
Op-ed by Lab Founder + CEO Kathleen deLaski. Published May 9, 2022.View StoryWashingtonian: Lab Founder + CEO Kathleen deLaski among D.C.’s Most Influential People
Washington D.C.'s 500 Most Influential People. Published May 3, 2022, by Washingtonian magazine.View StoryRural Matters podcast: The incredible work of Education Design Lab + partners
A podcast interview with the BRIDGES Rural project team, including Leslie Daugherty, Kathy Temple-Miller, Dana Cotton, and Joe Davis. Interview by Michelle Rathman. Published April 10, 2022.View StoryPodcast on skills visibility: The changing relationship between learners, employers, and education
A podcast interview by Ramona Schindelheim, Editor-in-Chief, WorkingNation. Published April 5, 2022.View StoryThree prominent CC leaders discuss importance of transformative micro-credentials and micro-pathways
By George Lorenzo, Workforce Monitor, Published Feb. 9, 2022View StoryNot your typical shop class: New CTE program requires lessons in social skills
By Olivia Sanchez, The Hechinger Report, Published Jan. 21, 2022View StoryCountry’s largest community colleges work to expand microcredentials
By Elin Johnson, Work Shift (Open Campus Network), Published Jan. 18, 2022View StoryRevamping short-term credential pathways
Community College Daily Staff, Published Jan 18, 2022View StoryHave we found the gateway to transform community colleges?
Community College Daily op-ed by Lee Lambert + Kathleen deLaski, Published Nov. 9, 2021View Story
Connect
To get in touch, contact our team at ccgef@eddesignlab.org
Follow our work on Twitter #Micropathways