Key Takeaways
Standardized credential information can help modern learners navigate an increasingly complex education and workforce landscape by providing clearer insight into program costs, timelines, outcomes, and career pathways. As more learners pursue non-linear education journeys, improving credential transparency can support:
- Informed decision-making
- Reduce barriers to completion
- Strengthen opportunities for economic mobility and workforce alignment
At Trellis Strategies, we recognize the critical role that clear, meaningful standardized credential information plays in helping modern learners make informed education and workforce decisions.
As learners increasingly navigate non-linear education and training pathways, access to transparent credential information can help them better understand program outcomes, costs, timelines, and career opportunities.
Trellis Strategies focuses on what we call the Modern Learner. These learners increasingly navigate education and training through non-linear pathways. As they start, and sometimes stop, their educational journeys, they often come to these programs identifying first as workers, caregivers, or something other than students.
This added complexity shapes their lives and drives them to seek education and training that will deliver a clear return on their investment of both time and money.
The Growing Complexity of Today’s Credential Landscape
Across the U.S., there are an estimated 1.85 million credentials offered between 134,491 credential providers, and policy leverages continue to incentivize enrollment in an expanded set of credentials. This trend is likely to continue as institutions and postsecondary education providers decentralize learning and expand the providers of credential information.
How Confusing Credential Pathways Impact Student Success
Today’s students face an overwhelming number of credential opportunities, often without a clear understanding of the ways credentials build toward a career, the amount of time needed to complete the program, or the total costs.
This lack of clarity can result in stop-outs, additional costs associated with completion (which may mean more debt) and valuable time spent without a clear return. The students furthest from opportunity—including historically marginalized learners, low-income, or first-generation—are most likely to be caught in a confusing credential landscape, limiting their opportunities for socioeconomic mobility and the personal thriving provided by a postsecondary credential.
How Higher Education Leaders Can Engage in Standardized Credential Information
Opportunities exist for higher education policy and practice leaders to create standardized credential information. A common framework for presenting credential information can benefit not only students in their academic and career pursuits but also educators seeking to align education with workforce needs and employers evaluating candidates’ credentials.
To this end, we are honored to have been selected to serve as the research partner to support the development of a standardized credential information label in partnership with AACRAO, Credential Engine, and the Education and Employment Research Center, Rutgers University. This team has been pioneering conversations related to standardized information and we are excited to play a part in elevating voices from across the field through qualitative research and focus groups.
To engage in this work, please complete this feedback form and read the full announcement here.
Standardized Credential Information & Higher Education FAQ
What is standardized credential information?
Standardized credential information is a consistent framework for presenting details about educational credentials, including program costs, timelines, outcomes, and career pathways. It helps learners compare opportunities and make more informed education and workforce decisions.
Why is credential transparency important for modern learners?
Modern learners often balance work, caregiving, and other responsibilities while pursuing education through non-linear pathways. Clear credential information helps learners understand the value, time commitment, and career outcomes associated with a program before enrolling.
What challenges do students face in today’s credential landscape?
Students face an overwhelming number of credential options with varying costs, timelines, and outcomes. Without standardized information, learners may struggle to determine which programs align with their career goals and financial needs.
How can unclear credential information impact student success?
A lack of transparency can lead to stop-outs, additional debt, wasted time, and confusion about career pathways. Historically marginalized, low-income, and first-generation students are often disproportionately affected by these barriers.
How does standardized credential information support workforce alignment?
Standardized credential information can help educators, institutions, and employers better align education programs with workforce needs by improving understanding of skills, competencies, and credential outcomes.
Who benefits from standardized credential information?
Students, educators, employers, policymakers, and workforce leaders all benefit from clearer credential information. Transparency can improve decision-making, workforce alignment, and educational outcomes across the postsecondary landscape.
What role is Trellis Strategies playing in this work?
Trellis Strategies is serving as a research partner supporting the development of a standardized credential information label in partnership with AACRAO, Credential Engine, and Rutgers University’s Education and Employment Research Center.
How can higher education leaders support credential transparency?
Higher education leaders can support credential transparency by developing consistent information standards, improving communication around program outcomes, and collaborating with workforce and policy partners to create clearer credential pathways.