What Are Short-Term Credentials?
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Front page of 2-page resource defining short-term credentials

What Are Short-Term Credentials?

A vital measure of post–high school educational attainment in the United States

Posted: July 1, 2020
Organization(s): Lumina Foundation

Short-term credentials, including college-level certificates and industry-recognized certifications, generally take less time and money to earn than degrees. Still, they meet Lumina’s benchmarks for quality if they:

  • Lead to meaningful employment
  • Serve as a stepping stone to career advancement, higher pay, and future opportunities
  • Provide a pathway to continued education training—and lifelong learning
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