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.

 

Explore Micro-pathways By Sector:

Click on the titles within each sector to explore each micro-pathway.
   

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.

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