Why micro-credential? 

The ADEA Micro-credentialing Program is a way to verify that individual professional development has been put into practice. It is a way to clearly communicate these achievements to employers and peers, and assist with lifelong learning. 

What's the benefit to the individual submitter?

ADEA Micro-credentials document your lifelong learning, mastery of specific skills and achievements by a national-level provider. These peer-reviewed forms of scholarship can be beneficial when applying for new positions and demonstrate abilities that may not be as readily recognized elsewhere in your CV. The secure digital badge that is awarded upon earning a micro-credential can also be included in LinkedIn profiles, digital portfolios and email signatures for self-promotion and recognition

What's the benefit to the institution? 

There are numerous benefits at the institutional level including: 

• Easily identifying faculty/staff who have skills in specific areas to help with upcoming initiatives or fill needed positions. 
• Fostering local learning communities and the professional development of faculty/staff.
• Preparing for the evolving needs of dental education by encouraging faculty/staff to develop in specific and timely skill areas. 
• Potentially raising an institution’s national profile as more faculty earn ADEA micro-credentials. 

What's involved in the program? 

ADEA Micro-credentials are an assessment-based program. They contain a thorough three-part submission process to gauge an individual submitter’s development and innovations in the workplace. The three-part submission process includes responses to:

1. A series of overview/background questions designed to assess the individual’s baseline understanding and views of the topic area. 
2. A series of reflective essays assessing the individual’s contributions to the topic area and critiquing their portfolio artifact(s) included as part of the submission.
3. Work-based portfolio artifact(s) based on the topic area.

Note: ADEA Micro-credentials do not include a prescribed curriculum though a set of introductory resources is provided if needed. Submitters are free to use any professional development they have received either on the job, through ADEA or another similar association, publications, etc. to complete the submission. 

Is it rigorous? 

Yes. The three-part assessment described above is designed to critically assess an individual's development within a topic area. Importantly, a workplace artifact serves as the demonstration that the necessary skill has been applied to earn the micro-credential. Each part of the assessment has an associated rubric to assess mastery. If any item on the rubric is not achieved, the submission is returned to the submitter for revision at no extra cost.

What do I earn? 

Each earner of an ADEA Micro-credential is issued a unique and verifiable digital badge. Every ADEA Micro-credential badge contains meta-data that is unique to the earner and cannot be modified. When someone (e.g., a peer, current or prospective employer) views the meta-data, they can see when you earned the badge, what requirements it took to earn the micro-credential and even the work sample you submitted (if requested).

How/where can I display or advertise my micro-credential once I’ve earned it? 

Digital badges can be embedded in your social media profile (LinkedIn is most common), email signature or CV. Each micro-credential earner is provided instructions on how to display their achievement.

Is this a certification? 

ADEA Micro-credentials are not a certification and are not meant to replace or supersede any existing standards, requirements, licensures or similar items. The micro-credential program supports recognition of participants’ efforts toward lifelong learning, self-directed learning, evidence-based practice and focused skills development in targeted areas.

How can I get started on a submission?

Browse the catalog of available ADEA Micro-credentials. The criteria for each is detailed so that you, and any potential viewers of the earned micro-credential, are clear on the rigor involved. Regardless of microcredential topic, each micro-credential contains a three-part submission which includes:

• Overview/background Questions
• Reflective Essays
• Work-based portfolio artifact(s)

Once you have selected a micro-credential to pursue, you can purchase access and download the PDF submission form to get started. 

Can I submit work that was done in collaboration with others?

Sections 1 and 2 (“Overview” and “Reflection Questions”) should be your own work. Section 3 (“Portfolio Artifact”) may have been developed in collaboration with peers, but you must have provided significant contributions to the final product.

How long does it take to complete the submission process for an ADEA Micro-credential?

Submission timelines can vary depending on the state of your intended artifact(s) submissions in Part 3. Artifacts take significant time to complete and are typically a reflection of work done in your regular duties as faculty/staff. 

If the artifact to be included in Part 3 of the submission is already complete as part of a past project, then only the overview questions (Part 1) and reflective essays (Part 2) need to be developed before submitting. 

When are submissions due?

Submissions are accepted at any time. They are collected for review on Jan. 15 and July 15 each year.

How long will it take to go through the review process?

Peer reviews take approximately 8 weeks to complete.

• Example: A submission completed on June 1 would be included in the July 15 review cycle, with results communicated around mid-September. 

What is the cost and why is there a fee for submission?

Each micro-credential is $100 for ADEA members and $125 for nonmembers. Fees can be paid directly through ADEA eLearn.

Costs go to supporting the technology and staff time needed to maintain the program

Who do I contact if I have questions while I am preparing my submission?

Please contact learn@adea.org with any questions

Can I resubmit?

Yes! If the original submission does not meet the requirements as outlined in the rubrics, you can revise and resubmit with no additional charge. Revisions are accepted as needed until the micro-credential is earned.

Who developed the micro-credentials?  

ADEA Micro-credentials were developed by the ADEA Council of Sections and its membership. Each micro-credential’s criteria are developed and submissions are peer-reviewed by subject matter experts. Please navigate to this page to view a listing of contributors. 

How can I contribute as a peer reviewer? 

If interested in peer reviewing micro-credential submissions, please provide your information on this page. Micro-credential submission deadlines are Jan. 15 and July 15 each year. If requested for peer review, you will be contacted by ADEA staff shortly after those deadlines to either accept or decline the opportunity. If selected, your identity will remain anonymous to the submitter.

How are peer reviewers selected? 

Peer reviewers are selected for their expertise, as evidenced by documented professional experience or scholarly work, in a given micro-credential topic. The pool of reviewers may be bigger than the number of submissions received in any given review cycle, so all volunteers may not be asked to review with each deadline.