How to Create Stackable Credentials That Will Draw Learners to Your School

March 5, 2025 |

Over the past few years, non-traditional learning options—such as dual enrollment, non-credit certificates, and certifications—have become increasingly popular. As employers continue to look for skilled workers, many students are looking to gain those skills via flexible online learning programs. That’s where stackable credentials come in. A key feature of stackable credentials is that a simple micro-credential can lead to academic credit. By linking micro-credentials with full academic courses, students can transition smoothly into formal degree programs, offering them greater flexibility and a clear onramp to higher education. If you haven’t already started, how can you build stackable credential programs?

Whether you’re looking to enhance your current offerings or build a program from scratch, adding stackable credentials to your curriculum can help you meet the needs of today’s learners. Let’s go over what you need to consider when creating a successful stackable credential program.

Design Courses for Flexibility and Engagement

Creating a successful online course isn’t just about offering good content, it’s about how that content is presented and how students engage with it. Looking at some of the top-performing courses in the online learning space, one thing you typically see are courses designed around bite-sized, manageable modules.

When building courses based on stackable credentials, it’s important to think about how a micro-credential can be derived from an existing for-credit course. Typically, a 3-credit course requires 135 hours of work, while a successful micro-credential course may only require 20 hours. A best practice is to reverse-engineer these longer courses into smaller, skill-focused micro-credentials. In doing so, learners can build their experience in stages, earning credentials as they progress through specialized modules.

Based on analysis of the most successful online courses, effective courses generally feature the following elements:

Short, Engaging Lessons: The ideal course consists of 20-minute lessons, divided into 4-6 modules. Each module is typically 4-5 minutes long, making the content digestible and easy to follow.

Video-Centric Content: Video lectures are the backbone of many online courses. For subjects like data analytics, using video tutorials can significantly enhance comprehension, allowing learners to visualize complex concepts.

Minimal Reading: Instead of relying heavily on textbooks, course content is largely delivered through video, with just a few supplemental readings. This approach ensures that students are not overwhelmed and can focus on key takeaways.

Self-Assessment: Frequent quizzes allow students to test their knowledge and progress. A good practice is to make these quizzes formative, meaning students can retake them until they achieve mastery.

Interactive Assignments: Unlike larger platforms that often rely on automated grading, your courses can stand out if you incorporate personalized feedback from instructors or adjuncts. This level of interaction can be a major differentiator.

Choose Tools That Allow for the Creation of High-Quality Content

Developing high-quality courses doesn’t have to be a complex or costly process. With the right tools, institutions can create engaging online courses relatively quickly. Look for tools that enable the following:

Scriptwriting: AI tools like Google Gemini or ChatGPT can assist in generating scripts for course content. For instance, if you're designing a course on data analytics, simply prompt the AI to generate a script that explains the different ways data can be visualized. This saves time and helps course creators get a head start.

Video Creation: Modern smartphones offer excellent video quality, allowing you to shoot course material directly on campus or during interviews with experts. Editing can be done using accessible programs like iMovie or Camtasia, while platforms like YouTube or Kaltura ensure your videos are compatible across various devices and internet speeds. AI is also making great strides in image and video creation. For visuals, platforms like Google Gemini can generate royalty-free, high-definition images. As video generation tools improve, expect this capability to extend to creating video content as well.

Voiceovers: If your instructors aren’t available for voiceover work, there are online platforms that can help you hire professional voice talent to narrate your course videos, ensuring high-quality, engaging audio content.

Effectively Market Your Courses

Once your courses have been created and are ready for students, the next step is to promote them. Effective marketing is absolutely essential to attract students and ensure your program’s success. Here are some strategies to help you stand out:

SEO-Optimized Descriptions: Use search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to ensure your course descriptions appear in search results when potential students are looking for relevant content.

Free Trials and Demos: Offer free trials or demo lessons to give prospective students a chance to sample your courses and see the value they’ll gain before committing.

User Ratings and Feedback: Include user and instructor ratings to help students make informed decisions when choosing between courses. Positive reviews from former students can influence potential learners.

Time to Completion: Let students know how long each course will take to complete. This transparency helps them decide if they can fit the course into their schedule.

You’ll also want to ensure that you have a system in place that allows students to easily enroll in your courses. Consider systems that offer self-registration features and familiar, user-friendly ecommerce purchasing options.

Get Your Program Off the Ground Quickly

The shift towards stackable credentials and micro-credentials is not just a passing trend; it’s turning into the future of higher education. By embracing these flexible, affordable, and engaging learning formats, institutions can better serve today’s learners, offering them the pathways to success that meet their evolving needs. But creating an online learning program requires careful planning, the right tools, and a commitment to providing value. With the strategies outlined above, your institution can build a program that attracts students and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the modern workforce.