Micro Credentials and Short Courses

As part of the Education Strategy, we want to establish a sustainable end-to-end process for responding to, developing, and delivering short courses and micro-credentials.

Micro-credentials and short courses provide study opportunities for learners seeking relevant knowledge and skills in smaller, more flexible, and more accessible components. The key intent of these offerings is to provide accessible options for rapid re-skilling, upskilling, and complementary or lifelong learning in line with industry and community needs.

Types of micro credentials and short courses

This project will develop:

  • A Charles Sturt Micro-credential Framework to inform and guide decision-making, effort and assessment of the impact of the micro-credential and short courses we deliver.
  • An end-to-end process for short courses and micro-credentials.
  • Define an operating model that supports the end-to-end process

The University successfully obtained a Department of Education, Skills and Employment grant ($1M) to support the development and delivery of four new micros and a pilot of the new end-to-end process in 2023.

Micro-credentials and short courses will:

  • enable pathways for entry into award programs, facilitating increased access to tertiary education, particularly from socially under-represented and marginalised groups as well as bolstering our footprint in regional Australia.
  • leverage new education opportunities that emerge through partnerships with industry, employers, professional associations, and other higher education providers.
  • open new avenues for research informed learning and promote areas of research strength.
  • test new markets, models, and disciplines.
  • build awareness and reputation.
  • generate new revenue opportunities, act as lead generators where appropriate, and increase Charles Sturt's market presence.

In 2022, we have:

  • Developed an end-to-end process with key stakeholders from across the university. This is with Academic Senate and ELT for approval.
  • Performed analysis and assessment of the current DLT operating model with the proposed end-to-end process, identifying and addressing gaps.
  • Reviewed current policy and procedure/s, identifying gaps and proposing minor adjustments.
  • Developed a Charles Sturt Micro-Credential Framework with key stakeholders from across the university.

Over the next couple of months, we will set up a project team to drive this work.

In 2023, we will:

  • Develop and deliver four new micros
  • Pilot the new end-to-end process.

In  2024, we will:

  • Transition to business as usual activity
  • Begin to realise revenue diversification.

Resources

The following resources are available for staff:

Micro-credential Framework and Playbook:

Charles Sturt Micro-credential Framework PDF

Charles Sturt Micro-credential Playbook PDF

Templates and checklists:

Micro-Credential Template - Proposal: Use this template to provide all details related to a proposed new micro-credential offering. This proposal must be completed by the sponsor and submitted for approval.

Design Specification Template: Use this template to provide all details related to the design specifications for a new micro-credential offering. This template must be completed and endorsed by the sponsor before commencing development.

Develop Checklist: Use this checklist to confirm the develop stage activities have been completed and reviewed before delivering the micro-credential.

Deliver Checklist: Use this checklist to confirm the delivery stage activities have been completed and reviewed before delivering the micro-credential.

Review Template: Use this template to review a micro-credential following delivery and determine recommendations and next steps.

Workshop recordings:

e2e Micro credentials process at CSU – Using the Playbook - Session 1

e2e Micro credentials process at CSU – Using the Playbook - Session 2

Further information

Feel free to get in touch for further information about this strategic project and the process. To have your questions answered, please email chriscampbell@csu.edu.au