WPI Systems Engineering Awareness Digital Badge Program Pilot program in Micro-credentials

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has a long history of providing training and education to the professional student population, including by offering >23 fully online Master's programs, plus a variety of Certifications, Workshops, and Trainings.Alternative Credentials (AC) are a means to recognize skills and competencies gained through non-degree coursework, and can take the form of Digital Badges, Certificates, and Micro-Credentials.AC are an important part of the university's mission because they can expand the university's role in providing flexible and accessible life-long learning, provide additional revenue streams, support non-traditional learners, broaden the reach of education to rural or underserved communities, and open up educational pathways to students who do not have the ability to pursue a traditional degree.We serve current WPI students, WPI alumni, corporate partners, and future students from high school, college, and potential grad students, contributing to workforce development.In order to develop content for our AC pilot, we considered market need, and where we had a chance to provide a unique and differentiated experience.We were also very interested in exploring partnerships that could lead to broader reach.We developed the Systems Engineering Awareness Digital Badge Program to enhance the understanding and application of SE concepts across industries.Badges included Intro to Bioprocessing, Systems Engineering Awareness (11 microcourses), Systems Engineering Architecture (9 micro-courses), and Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 micro-courses).Our Investment Included purchasing a new platform to support this effort, development funds to compensate faculty, and marketing.The initial investment was evaluated and conclusions were made about how to scale up and further support the AC market.This paper explores the structure, impact, and lessons learned from this initiative, highlighting its potential for improving workforce development, corporate training, and career progression.The paper also examines challenges such as audience identification, pricing models, and marketing strategies, providing insights into the program's future direction.