New recommendations empower universities across 49 EU member nations, and the US HE system, to award credit for job-relevant industry credentials
By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
Today, Coursera is pleased to announce that the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) has certified 17 Professional Certificates from Meta, Microsoft, and IBM, with European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit recommendations. Five Professional Certificates have also been awarded credit recommendations from the American Council on Education.
Now, students, higher education institutions, and ministries can accept and transfer academic credit for 22 industry micro-credentials on Coursera at any institution across 49 member nations in the European Higher Education Area, and across over 440 accredited institutions in the United States. This cross-sector initiative represents further progress toward establishing a comprehensive global ecosystem of transferable credit recognition for online learning.
As Generative AI and digital transformation rapidly transform labour markets and employer needs, universities worldwide are increasingly turning to online learning to help enhance student employability. However, different credit standards across different higher education systems have traditionally presented a challenge for governments and institutions seeking to achieve consistent recognition for non-traditional credentials, online education, or time spent studying abroad.
Now, with over 30 of Coursera’s micro-credentials having received ECTS credit recommendations, and over 40 having received ACE credit recommendations, we are moving closer to ensuring that all students can see their online learning recognized by institutions worldwide. The following credentials are newly-eligible for credit under the ECTS system:
Meta:
Microsoft:
IBM:
The following Professional Certificates have been awarded ACE Credit Recommendations:
“Meta Professional Certificates on Coursera empower individuals to advance their careers with globally-recognized qualifications, regardless of background or experience. Our partnership with Coursera has been validated by the latest ECTS approvals, demonstrating our commitment to bridging the gap between higher education and industry needs, and equipping learners with the skills required for in-demand digital careers” said Vikas Wadhwani, Director of Learning and Certifications, Meta.
ECTS supports the planning, delivery and evaluation of European higher education programmes, and the flexibility of student study schemes, including Erasmus. It is a central tool in the Bologna Process, which aims to make national education systems more comparable internationally.
As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, ACE represents over 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. Its members educate two out of every three students in all accredited, degree-granting U.S. institutions.
To ensure that higher education is able to meet the rapidly-changing needs of students and employers, collaboration between higher education, industry, and supranational bodies is essential. Coursera is committed to further extending its partnerships with leading institutions and credit recognition systems like ECTS and ACE to ensure that all learners are able to seamlessly integrate their online credentials into their university qualifications, and their lifelong educational records.
Learn more about ECTS Credit Recommendations on Coursera here and ACE Credit Recommendations on Coursera here. For more information about Coursera for Campus, visit coursera.org/campus.
