Final Approval Body: Senate
Senior Administrative Position with Responsibility for Policy: Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning)
Date Initially Approved: October 29, 2026
Date of Last Revision, if applicable: n/a
Preamble to Policy
For-Credit Micro-credentials are a new type of academic offering at 鶹. An approved policy is a precondition for completing the operational work required to offer these. While they may be approved in accordance with this policy, For-Credit Micro-credentials cannot be advertised or offered to students until preparation for implementation is complete. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Configuration of PeopleSoft to accept learners enrolled in micro-credentials;
- Development of fee payment processes; and
- Confirmation of the student status of For-Credit Micro-credential learners.
Currently, units may submit proposals for approval so that they are ready to be offered once operational planning is complete. Extensive system and process changes are required, which are expected to extend over multiple terms. Units should plan accordingly, rather than anticipate a near-term offering. Units are encouraged to consult the Office of the University Registrar early in the planning process to understand current system readiness.
The Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, in consultation with the University Registrar, will confirm when these requirements have been met and will advise the Senate Committee on Academic Development and Procedures. The Chair of that Committee will report the confirmation to Senate for information, at which point this preamble will be removed without further approval.
Purpose of Policy
This policy defines For-Credit Micro-credentials and summarizes the process for development, approval and regular review of these offerings.
Definitions
For-Credit Micro-credentials: For-Credit Micro-credentials are short, assessed learning credit-bearing learning experiences focused on a discrete set of competencies (skills, knowledge and attributes). These offerings respond to emerging or current needs of academic programs,professions, or market trends, and may be related to, or Ladder into, other academic credentials. They should have defined employment or skills outcomes, which are articulated explicitly as learning outcomes. To qualify as a For-Credit Micro-credential at 鶹’s, an offering must involve a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 80 Learning Hours. These learning hours determine the credit weight, which may range from 0.5 to 2.0 credit units.
Laddering (or Ladder, Laddered): The process by which a completed For-Credit Micro-credential may be combined with other For-Credit Micro-credentials to contribute toward a larger academic credential. Laddering allows learners to accumulate credit over time, with each Micro-credential forming a stackable component that allows the learner to demonstrate the larger academic credential’s program-level learning outcomes and other requirements.
Learning Hours: The total amount of time a learner is expected to spend to successfully complete all required elements of a For-Credit Micro-credential. This includes all required learning activities, such as engaging with course materials, participating in discussions or collaborative tasks, studying, completing assignments, and preparing for assessments. Learning hours reflect the overall time commitment, regardless of delivery mode. For-Credit Micro-credentials should be designed to reflect inclusive learning experiences and to accommodate diverse needs in tune with university policies on educational equity, diversity and inclusion.
Assurance of Learning: The set of measures used to verify learner identity, confirm the evidence submitted reflects the learner’s own achievement of the learning outcomes, and ensure the integrity and credibility of the assessment process, using methods appropriate to the mode of delivery and consistent with the university’s academic integrity policy and procedures.
Scope of Policy: This policy applies to all For-Credit Micro-credentials, which, when successfully completed, are designated an academic Micro-credential.
Policy Statement
Criteria for Establishment of a For-Credit Micro-credential at 鶹
Follows the academic standards, policies and procedures of the Faculty/School in whichit runs, and, where relevant, of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Must be at a level of intellectual rigour comparable to those found in universityofferings in the same or similar disciplines.
Specifies conditions for Laddering (see definition above and details of Ladderingpathways below), if applicable.
Includes at least one summative assessment that provides verifiable evidence of the learner’s achievement of the For-Credit Micro-credential learning outcomes. The assessment must incorporate appropriate Assurance of Learning measures, suited to the mode of delivery.
All For-Credit Micro-credentials must go through a Senate-delegated approval process,with final approval by the Micro-credentials Subcommittee of the Senate Committee onAcademic Development and Procedures (MC-SCADP).
Not all For-Credit Micro-credentials will seek OSAP eligibility. Those that do require approval by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security(MCURES, “the Ministry”). See Approval Procedures for more information on how to fulfil the eligibility criteria. Units should contact the Registrar to seek input on OSAP eligibility.
For-credit Micro-credentials Approval Process
The process and criteria for approval of For-Credit Micro-credentials are included in the accompanying Procedure.
The Academic Lead follows the steps in the procedure and completes the For-Credit Micro-credential proposal template in equal partnership with the External lead (see Approval Processes for definitions of these terms). The form is submitted to the Department Head in departmentalized Faculties, or the appropriate Associate Dean in non-departmentalized Faculties/Schools. They will assess academic quality, and, if satisfied, submit the proposal template for approval by the Faculty Dean (or delegate) and Faculty Board (or Faculty Graduate Council where appropriate).
Following these approvals, the Academic Lead will forward the form to MC-SCADP. This committee will work on a flexible schedule to ensure prompt approval of proposals. They will either approve the proposal or return it for further development. Once the For-Credit Micro-credential proposal has been approved, the Senate Committee on Academic Development and Procedures (SCADP) will receive it for information and forward it to Senate for information.
For-Credit Micro-credentials are approved on a time-limited basis. See the Suspension and Closure section for details on re-approval, suspension, and closure conditions.
Admission
Admission to a 鶹’s undergraduate or graduate For-Credit Micro-credential will be in accordance with the admission policies of an individual Unit. Units are encouraged to set admission requirements that avoid unnecessary barriers to a broad range of learners. A For-Credit Micro-credential may be a stand-alone credential, or, under prescribed circumstances, may be part of a Laddered set of For-Credit Micro-credentials which together comprise an academic credit unit equivalent. Students are only admitted into For-Credit Micro-credentials if they meet admission requirements. These will be determined at the time of the For-Credit Micro-credential’s approval.
If the For-Credit Micro-credential may fully or partially fulfill the admission requirements for another academic or professional credential, the admission criteria for the Micro-credential should be set to reflect the admission requirements of those subsequent credentials. Learners from other institutions may be admitted with the permission of the Academic Lead of the For-Credit Micro-credential based on academic achievement to date. To improve access, learners who are not 鶹’s students or students at another post-secondary educational institution may be admitted to a For-Credit Micro-credential on the grounds of equivalent experience by subject-matter experts within the offering unit.
Other very short offerings at 鶹’s that generate digital badges or a certificate of achievement to recognize completion, but do not appear on transcripts or generate degree credits, do not fall under this policy. The 鶹 policy on these non-credit micro-credentials may be found here.
Learning Hours and credit weighting
The minimum Learning Hours required for an offering to qualify as a For-Credit Micro-credential at 鶹’s is 20; the maximum learning hours total is 80. Exceptions to these parameters set on For-Credit Micro-credentials may be sought from the Dean responsible for the unit in question.
The credit weighting assigned to a For-Credit Micro-credential must correlate with the required Learning Hours. As a guide, the following equivalencies apply:
20 learning hours correspond to a 0.5 credit units equivalent
40 learning hours correspond to a 1.0 credit units equivalent
80 learning hours correspond to a 2.0 credit units equivalent
These values are aligned proportionally with a standard 3.0-weight undergraduate course at 鶹’s, which typically represents 120-144 learning hours across a 12-week term. This alignment ensures institutional credibility and transparency for such offerings.
To be eligible for Laddering, multiple For-Credit Micro-credentials must combine to form a total of 3.0 or 6.0 credit unit equivalents.
Laddering and Credit Towards Degree Program Studies
Where appropriate and desired by a Faculty or School, proposals for new For-Credit Micro-credentials may be developed in such a way as to offer a Laddered pathway to a larger academic credential within the same academic level (i.e., undergraduate or graduate). Credits included in a For-Credit Micro-credential can be used towards a diploma/degree program in accordance with the academic rules and procedures specified by the Faculty or School(s) offering the diploma/degree.
As part of the planning for any For-Credit Micro-credential that is open to Laddering, consideration should be given to how it fits into curriculum planning. Thought should be given to how the For-Credit Micro-credential’s learning outcomes directly align with and demonstrate achievement of the program-level learning outcomes it Ladders into.
No more than 6.0 credit units, or 10% of the total credits required for the larger academic credential (whichever is lesser), may be applied through laddered For-Credit Micro-credentials. This limit is intended to maintain the academic integrity, coherence, and distinctiveness of the larger credential. When applying the 10% threshold, results should be rounded down to the nearest 0.5 credit units.
Regular Review
New For-Credit Micro-credentials should be supported and fine-tuned by a concise internal assessment after the first iteration. Thereafter they will be reviewed by the MC-SCADP, 5 years after the date of approval.
Program Changes
For-Credit Micro-credentials are not subject to the 鶹 Quality Assurance Process (QUQAP). Major changes require review and approval only by the appropriate curriculum committee within Faculty or School offering the Micro-Credential, in accordance with local governance practices. Such changes should be forwarded to MC-SCADP for information within 10 business days of approval by the relevant academic governance body.
Awarding of For-credit Micro-credentials
Successful completion of a For-Credit Micro-credential will be officially recognized by a grade report which validates and communicates achievement of the micro-credential’s outcomes. For-Credit Micro-credential grades will not be included in the calculation of a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) unless the credit associated with the For-Credit Micro-credential is applied toward the requirements of a 鶹’s certificate, diploma, or degree program. When such credit is applied toward a credential, the grade will be incorporated into GPA calculations in accordance with the academic regulations of the relevant Faculty or School.
Suspension and Closure
Approval of For-Credit Micro-credentials is granted for a period of five years from the date of first offering. Continuing approval must be sought before the end of this period. If continuing approval is not granted by the expiry date, admissions to the For-Credit Micro-credential will be suspended and may not be offered unless and until continuing approval is granted by a meeting of the MC-SCADP.
Continuing approval will be conditional on indicators of success, including academic quality, enrolment numbers, and financial sustainability. If a For-Credit Micro-credential has been suspended and is not reapproved within three years of suspension it will be considered closed.
A For-Credit Micro-credential may also be voluntarily suspended or closed by the unit offering it with the agreement of the Faculty Dean. In such cases, the Head of Department or equivalent must notify the MC-SCADP, Registrar and Faculty Board. In all cases of closure, the Head of Department must also ensure relevant websites and academic calendars are updated; and make appropriate arrangements for any learners currently enrolled.
Responsibilities
For-Credit Micro-credentials are approved by a delegated expert subcommittee of SCADP. This Micro-credentials Subcommittee consists of a member with Micro-credentials experience at 鶹’s who also serves as committee Chair; a member with budgeting expertise who can assess the indicative budget in the proposal form; and a member with experience of working with external partners. The Registrar may also attend the MC-SCADP in a guidance role. This subcommittee approves the proposal (or returns it for amendment) and passes on the approved proposal to SCADP and the Senate for information.
The process detailed in this document may also be followed to convert a current Non-Credit Micro-credential into a For-Credit Micro-credential.
Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines:
Policies Superseded by this Policy: None
Responsible Officer (senior administrator ultimately responsible): Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning)
Contact: vptl@queensu.ca
Date for Next Review: 2031-2032 academic year