SUNY Potsdam Announces New Microcredentials to Help Lifelong Learners Gain Targeted Skills in Range of Fields
A Crane School of Music summer program in band instrument repair technology is one of the new microcredential programs recently launched at SUNY Potsdam.
SUNY Potsdam is proud to announce its first series of career-focused microcredentials, designed to help students of all backgrounds gain targeted skills in various fields. The first five approved microcredentials, crafted by expert faculty, address targeted job market needs, and can be completed quickly—typically in just one or two semesters.
Many of the microcredential programs are fully online, accommodating the needs of busy working professionals. In-person programs include hands-on labs and applied learning projects for an enriched educational experience. Upon completion, students will earn shareable digital microcredential badges for their LinkedIn profiles and resumes. The course sequences can also be “stacked” toward completing degrees in the future, if desired.
"Microcredentials are a powerful tool to boost your resume and accelerate your career progression without interrupting your current path. Whether you're aiming for career advancement or seeking new challenges, a microcredential can be your key to success," said Jenica Rogers, director of the Lougheed Learning Commons. “Our faculty have been hard at work developing these new microcredentials to meet the workforce needs of our region and beyond, with five launching today and another 24 already under development.”
Band Instrument Repair Technology Basics
This summer program at The Crane School of Music is designed for music educators and other musicians seeking professional development in the basics of instrument repair, or those interested in exploring instrument repair technology as a potential career. The program can stack to the Master of Music degree in music education.
Financial Statement Analysis
Students will learn the basics of balance sheets, income statements and cash flows, and then learn the accounting ratios used to analyze them. In the capstone course, they will perform an analysis of an actual company’s annual reports from the standpoint of a commercial lender, reviewing liquidity, asset usage, debt, profitability and basic cash flow. This program can stack to a major in business administration.
Local Government: Grant Writing
Students will gain the skills needed in public policy and local government to develop successful public grant applications. The program helps learners to build skills as planners or grant administrators, and can stack to degrees in political science, and other fields.
Public Health: Grant Writing
This program will provide students with the skills required for successful grant writing. The focus is on writing grant applications for public health projects and initiatives, but the skills gained can be generalized to other disciplines and fields. This program can stack to an undergraduate or graduate degree in public health.
Spatial Data Analysis with GIS
Students, practitioners and experts looking for a refresher can gain a foundation for using the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and basic tool functions. Individual applied projects will help students apply GIS techniques such as cartography, remote sensing, data acquisition and management, and spatial analysis. This program stacks to the environmental science degree and other STEM majors.
Current SUNY Potsdam students can complete microcredentials as part of their studies, as an addition beyond their major field of study. Non-matriculated students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program can apply online, by clicking the link at www.potsdam.edu/mc.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: Professor of Politics Dr. Robert Hinckley leads a class at SUNY Potsdam. The department is now offering a grant writing for local government microcredential, for professionals looking to add skills. The program also “stacks” to the College’s 100 percent online Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: SUNY Potsdam Associate Professor of Environment and Sustainability Dr. Jessica Pearson leads a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course. The College is now offering a career-focused microcredential in spatial data analysis in GIS.