Academic Credit Articulation
Institutions must demonstrate that successful completion of an eligible workforce training program results in the award of clearly defined academic credit -- whether directly or through Credit for Prior Learning methodologies -- that is applicable toward a related certificate or degree program.
For-credit programs: As part of the approval, institutions must confirm the stackability of a credit-bearing programs, such as microcredentials, to a registered certificate or degree program, i.e., that credits earned in the microcredential can be directly applied to meet the credit requirements of an existing registered certificate or degree program at those institutions. Information about existing articulation agreements that facilitate the acceptance of credit for the credit-bearing program must also be provided.
Non-credit programs: There must be a policy for institutions to establish that an eligible non-credit workforce program will ensure the award of academic credit toward a certificate or degree program upon a student’s successful completion of the eligible workforce program and enrollment in such certificate or degree program. Such credit must be accepted at one or more eligible institutions through written agreements, including established articulation agreements, transfer-of-credit agreements, consortium or partnership agreements, or similar arrangements.
Institutions as part of their submission to the Committee are required to submit the following for each proposed program:
- A certification upon completion of a credit-bearing program the student will immediately be awarded academic credit and meets other requirements (e.g., earning a passing grade; or passing the exam to earn an industry credential), has been approved for stackability to one or more certificate and degree programs.
- A certification that, upon completion of the non-credit program and if the student meets other requirements (e.g., earning a passing grade; or passing the exam to earn an industry credential), the student may apply to a related certificate or degree program at the institution offering the program or at another postsecondary institution where an articulation agreement has been established to receive academic credit for program completion that is counted toward meeting the requirements of that certificate or degree program.
- Proof of this arrangement including: Signed statement by the campus Chief Academic Officer, articulation agreements, transfer-of-credit agreements, consortium or partnership agreements, or similar arrangements.
Industry Validation Policy
Regulations require the state to have a written policy for determining whether a program meets the hiring requirements of employers in the high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors and occupations. This policy must consider the alignment between the expected competencies verified by attaining the recognized postsecondary credential and the competencies needed in the named high-skill, high-wage or in-demand sectors and occupations. The policy must also incorporate direct input from employers, which may be secured from the state board and local workforce development boards, industry or sector partnerships, sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship programs, joint labor-management partnerships, or through other methodologies established by the State.
As such, the following will be considered as meeting the hiring requirements of employers as outlined in statue and regulation and must be submitted by an institution to the Committee as part of the review. Each of following requirements must be met: 1) demonstrate direct engagement with employers in the industries of interest, and 2) evidence a conversation about the specific credentials in question.
At minimum, one of the following is required:
- Advisory Boards: An advisory board approval, evidenced by a notice from the institution as part of their submission outlining substantive participation from industry (e.g. not just a single business) in development of the credential. Additionally, the institution must attest that the advisory board considered that expected competencies from the program/credential align with the competencies in the industry sector(s) and occupation(s).
- Employer Letters: At least one letter of support from individual businesses or industry groups comprised of member businesses that accompany the institution’s submission verifying the utility of this program. Letters must discuss how expected competencies from the program/credential align with the competencies in the industry sector(s) and occupation(s).
- Board Vote: The State Workforce Investment Board or a Local Workforce Investment Board or similar group as approved by the Committee, may submit a letter of support for the program and credential that discusses how the expected competencies from the program/credential align with the competencies in the industry sector(s) and occupation(s).
- Work-Based Learning: Evidence of work-based or experiential learning in partnership with an employer or employers that demonstrates a connection between the specific program, credential and inclusion of hands-on training and experiential learning tied to job outcomes.
An individual institution, acting as an employer, may support programs as outlined above.
Stackable and Portable Policy
Regulations also require the establishment of a written policy for determining if a credential is stackable and portable. The process must also document connections to additional credentials, considering, if available, real-time labor market information and other data showing whether students have obtained additional credentials through career pathways, and include a process for employer validation.
Acceptable means of demonstrating stackability and portability for each proposed Workforce Pell program include the following, with a requirement for a minimum of one of these, or another means of demonstrating stackability and portability that is similar:
- Written agreements between a non-degree program or provider and an academic department
- Listing of an agreement on an official college web page, degree map or credit for prior learning or microcredential page
- Evidence that programs are recorded on an official transcript in a way that is recognized by other accredited institutions
- Documentation showing the curriculum aligns directly with the requirements of a professional certification that is recognized nationally by multiple employers
- Inclusion of the credential in a pathway framework linked to both short-term job outcomes and future higher-level certifications and career opportunities. This may include institution web pages or advertisements
- Employer validation letters
- Labor market information from online job postings or public databases demonstrating that the specific skills and certification gained and how it can lead to further career advancement
Additional Policy Considerations
As part of the eligibility determination, the Committee reserves the right to cap the number of available programs per occupation or industry, including by geographic region.
Additionally, the Committee may limit approvals to certain sectors or take other related actions on behalf of the Governor.
The Committee also may impose future quality standards that exceed federal regulations, including:
- Higher completion rate thresholds
- Stronger employer validation requirements
- Tuition cost caps