Embedded and Stackable Credentials: An Innovative Approach to Learning

The U.S. Department of Labor defines a stackable credential as “part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to build up an individual’s qualifications and help them move along a career pathway or up a career ladder. The best way to understand stackable credentials is to view them as individual milestones that you enroll in – and complete – one-by-one along your education journey.

With stackable credentials, you start at the beginning. This typically means enrolling in an undergraduate certificate program. Once you complete your certificate, you can then move on to your next-level goal. Oftentimes that next step is an associate degree. Then ultimately a bachelor’s. With each new qualifying program you enroll in, all or most of your previous program’s credit hours will typically apply toward your new degree. This process of stacking credentials allows you to tackle one education milestone at a time while making the most of the qualifying credit hours you’ve already earned.

An embedded credential is a certificate or degree earned on your way to a higher-level degree. It can be a smart way to build your resume as you advance through different points in your education.

To earn embedded credentials, you start by enrolling in the highest-level degree program you wish to pursue at the time. Let’s, for example, say that’s a bachelor’s degree. The curriculum may require you to complete a set of core courses as a first step to learning the basics. Once you successfully complete them, you may qualify to earn an undergraduate certificate. As you continue your studies, you’ll eventually satisfy enough requirements for an associate degree – all while simply moving along the path toward your bachelor’s. This is an example of a certificate and associate degree being embedded within the bachelor’s degree program.

You can pursue your educational aspirations whether you choose to embed or stack your credentials. Simply decide if it benefits you to start with a higher-level degree and earn credentials as part of a single program (embedded) or earn your credentials one at a time through individual programs (stackable).

At DeVry University, our embedded degree programs allow you to demonstrate new skills and understanding at every step of your education. We currently offer embedded credentials for students interested in select programs in Information Technology.

Here’s an example of how embedded credentials work in one of our specialized IT programs:

Several of our undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to stack, so that you can earn credentials while following a specific career pathway. Stackable credentials allow you to grow at your own pace, adding new learning experiences over time.

One of our most popular stackable degree programs is in Health Information Management. The stackable approach works like this:

Whether you choose a program with an embedded or stackable credentials approach, you can have the opportunity to advance your education in the way that works best for your individual needs.

Your decision may be different if you are full-time student right out of high school, a working professional who attends classes part time or a career changer who wants to try something new. We support all of our students equally and champion your biggest dreams for the future.

With DeVry, you can:

Let us help you find a program and learning approach that fits your life. Contact us today