In an ever-evolving world, there is a growing need for flexibility and affordability in education. Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the use of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other flexible forms of online learning, such as micro-credentials. But what exactly are these?
In this post, we’ll discuss what stackable micro-credentials are, provide some background on the changing educational landscape, and share additional insights into how module exemption works at SACAP.
What are stackable micro-credentials?
At SACAP, stackable micro-credentials allow you to “stack” or accumulate micro-credentials that form the equivalent of specific degree modules.
A stackable micro-credential is a short course that is both stand-alone and can be a component of a broader formal higher education qualification. A specific combination of micro-credentials can be combined, or “stacked”, to satisfy the requirements for an equivalent module within a degree.
In other words, you do the same work as you would in a degree module, but instead, you’re doing the necessary coursework in more manageable bite-sized segments, as opposed to doing an entire module all at once.
At SACAP Global, for example, you can complete various online micro-credential courses at your own pace, which, in the right combinations, can be equivalent to specific modules in SACAP’s broader undergraduate degree programmes. SACAP’s degree programmes focus on applied psychology, equipping students with in-demand competencies for management and leadership roles.
For further context, here are some more reasons why people are choosing to study micro-credential courses:
Online learning is becoming the norm
Online learning is becoming the norm as our society evolves. Learning online offers numerous benefits, particularly for individuals who are already employed or have family responsibilities to attend to.
Flexibility
Flexibility is non-negotiable when it comes to work and study. As we spend more time online and look to upskill and grow, we’re all looking for ways to achieve a balance between our personal lives and advancing our careers.
If you’re looking to complete a four-year degree programme, for example, but need to work full or part-time, online courses like micro-credentials can provide much-needed flexibility. This flexibility allows you to complete part of a programme with micro-credentials.
Affordability
Not everyone can afford to register for a formal degree, so signing up for shorter courses is a more feasible option. With the bonus of being able to study, work and learn on the job, this approach is a cost-effective way to upskill.
Opportunities to explore
Apart from the benefits of flexibility and affordability, short courses also offer you the ability to try out different fields before committing to a full-time formal qualification.
MOOCs, for example, have provided learners with avenues to explore fields unrelated to their current profession, allowing them to gauge their interest. Micro-credentials also enable upskilling in new areas or complementary fields that a person may not have covered in their foundational formal studies.
Opportunities for lifelong learning
In the constantly evolving world we live in today, it’s essential to stay relevant, and vital to acknowledge the importance of lifelong learning. In a competitive marketplace, we will all need to regularly update our skill sets by completing short courses and micro-credentials.
To summarise, UNESCO confirms that micro-credentials are more agile and responsive to changing needs and offer the following benefits:
- More accessible and affordable
- Assist in making higher education more efficient and relevant
- Contribute to more flexible and personalised learning
- Increase the relevance of learning programmes in non-traditional learning environments
But what happens once you have completed several micro-credentials and want to stack them? After completing several courses equivalent to parts of a degree programme, the next step is to apply for module exemption, which we’ll explain next.
How does module exemption work?
If you meet the minimum entrance requirements, you can apply for module exemption for specific modules you have already completed with equivalent micro-credentials. Module exemption takes place through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL for module exemption means that you can receive credit for equivalent previous studies.
In other words, when you can demonstrate you have achieved the same learning objectives of a degree module, e.g. a combination of shorter courses, you will receive module exemption.
Practically speaking, you can apply for module exemption so that you don’t need to redo work you have already done. At SACAP, you can complete a set number of micro-credentials, which are equivalent to specific SACAP degree modules.
How to apply for module exemption at SACAP
SACAP offers several stackable micro-credential courses. Depending on which ones you have completed, you can then apply for specific module exemption when applying for these programmes:
- Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Counselling
- Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Business Management
- Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Criminology
- Bachelor of Psychology
As we’ve mentioned already, it’s important to note that you will need to meet the requirements for admission into the degree programme to be eligible to apply for module exemption through the RPL process, no matter what majors you choose.
How do I combine micro-credentials?
We’ve discussed module exemption and stackable credentials, but what exactly does this look like when enrolling in a course at SACAP? Here is a visual that illustrates how you can “stack” micro-credentials for equivalency.
Register for micro-credentials at SACAP Global
As the world and learners’ needs evolve, the education industry is becoming more agile, offering more flexible learning options such as stackable credentials.
In this post, we’ve clarified what stackable credentials are and provided some background on why you might choose to complete shorter courses and start working towards a future degree. We’ve also shared an overview of the process of applying for module exemption.
As mentioned above, at SACAP Global, you can complete a variety of online micro-credentials while working towards a formal qualification. For a complete list of courses, click here. For any other questions, please visit our FAQ page. You are also welcome to contact us for further information.
