Microcredential Proposal and Evaluation Template
Align microcredentials with market demand
Use this toolkit to solicit microcredential proposals and to evaluate those proposals to ensure that they align with the needs of prospective students and employers.
Amidst the current buzz around microcredentials, many institutions are launching new offerings onto the market. However, it is difficult to achieve positive margins on microcredentials, and many institutions find that their offerings run at a loss. To avoid developing microcredentials that are not financially viable, use the two tools in this toolkit to make more market-driven assessments of proposed offerings.
First, use the Microcredential Proposal Template as a form that will guide faculty (or any proposing party) in making a thorough, data-driven case for their proposed new microcredential. Then, the professional, continuing, and online education (PCO) unit can use the Microcredential Evaluation Form to conduct an independent evaluation of the proposal to make a final determination.
Tool 1: Microcredential Proposal Template
Goal
This proposal form template is designed to be put to immediate use by any PCO unit soliciting microcredential proposals from faculty or other stakeholders. It includes key elements from the best proposal forms across the industry. The questions are focused on market demand and financial viability.
Intended user(s)
- Head of PCO unit
- Director of microcredentials
- Academic deans and program heads
- Faculty proposing new microcredentials
Overview
This proposal form asks key questions of the microcredential proposer that will allow the PCO unit to evaluate the financial viability of the proposed microcredential. This is important because most institutions’ proposal forms ask questions about learning objectives and administrative considerations without considering the market and financial position of microcredentials.
The form is designed to be completed mostly by the faculty member; in most cases, faculty develop microcredential proposals and then submit them to the PCO division for review. For a more robust proposal form like this one, however, faculty may need additional resources to complete their proposal.
There are six sections in this proposal form template. For sections three through six, faculty may not have the ability to supply accurate information because they typically do not have expertise in evaluating the market for new programs. The PCO unit should use tool two to supplement their responses with data and revise responses when necessary. Some PCO units may opt to support faculty by providing them with resources to help them complete these sections with more accuracy.
Tool 2: Microcredential Evaluation Form
Goal
This form template is designed to be used by any PCO unit analyzing faculty responses to a microcredential proposal. It includes the key elements needed to ensure that the microcredential is financially viable.
Intended user(s)
- PCO program director
Overview
This evaluation form guides PCO staff through the process of determining the financial viability of a proposed microcredential. This is important because many institutions only put proposed microcredentials through a faculty evaluation and do not conduct their own analysis. This additional layer can protect against launching microcredentials that are not aligned to market demand.
How our work impacts partners
After attending EAB’s fall 2023 executive roundtable, the director of microcredentials at the University of North Texas utilized EAB’s Microcredential Proposal and Evaluation Templates to begin UNT’s microcredential approval process. The director immediately started to build their proposal form based on EAB’s template and broke their process into two recommended areas: an initial screening followed by a comprehensive review of market demand, competitive outlook, and employer partnership opportunities.
The team at UNT launched this process in January 2024 and has used it to evaluate new opportunities. This has culminated in a website built specifically to support faculty and educate them on the UNT microcredentials process.
This resource requires EAB partnership access to view.
Access the tool
Learn how you can get access to this resource as well as hands-on support from our experts through Professional and Adult Education Advisory Services.
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