The higher education landscape is evolving rapidly, and short-term credentials—including microcredentials, sub-baccalaureate credentials, and non-degree credentials—are increasingly taking center stage. With the job market constantly changing, there is growing demand for these valuable certificates and micro-degrees, which can enhance individuals’ career prospects and help meet the evolving needs of today’s economy.
Yet despite the rapid proliferation in state funding for short-term credentials, relatively little is known about these investments. As a result, the expansion of sub-baccalaureate offerings has led to a lack of consistency and capacity at the state level to define, evaluate, and track the quality, equity, and impact of these programs.
This report from HCM Strategists highlights actions that states are taking to expand short-term credentials to meet economic demands. Specifically, it identifies 59 different state-led initiatives across 28 states totaling almost $4 billion in state funding.