A microcredential is a short program that allows participants to gain skills needed in today’s workforce. SUNY Adirondack offers industry-standard education to build skills to fuel our regional economy and fill the needs of students and employers.
Microcredentials
Build your skillset
Participants in the Adobe Illustrator Basics microcredentials will gain specialized knowledge and experience for the Adobe Illustrator ACA exam. Those who complete the three courses will be able to deftly navigate the program, creating beautiful, detailed designs to begin a career in Media Arts or further promote their employer.
The following Arts, Media & Culture courses provide an introduction to graphic design and illustration on industry-standard vector graphics software used to create logos, illustrations and other graphic arts:
- ART 222 Graphic Arts I
- ART 224 Digital Painting and Illustration
- ART 252 Graphic Arts II
- 3.0 combined GPA
- Student is also able to take Adobe Illustrator ACP exam on campus
This microcredential:
- Comprises 9 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $1,908, plus textbooks and college fees;
These credits are stackable to a degree or certificate:
- Fine Arts Associate in Science
- Media Arts Certificate
- Media Arts Associate in Applied Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences AA or AS degrees
Participants in the Adobe InDesign Basics microcredentials will gain specialized knowledge and experience for the Adobe InDesign ACA exam. Those who complete the three courses will be able to create engaging designs for print or digital pages. Their skills will allow them to begin a career in Media Arts or further promote their current employer.
The following Arts, Media & Culture courses provide an introduction to design and layout on industry-standard software used to create print and digital publications:
- ART 222 Graphic Arts I
- ART 223 Introduction to Typography
- ART 253 Digital Pre-Press
- 3.0 combined GPA
- Student is also able to take Adobe InDesign ACP exam on campus
This microcredential:
- Comprises 9 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $1,908, plus textbooks and college fees;
These credits are stackable to a degree or certificate:
- Fine Arts Associate in Science
- Media Arts Certificate
- Media Arts Associate in Applied Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees
Participants in the Adobe Photoshop Basics microcredentials will gain specialized knowledge and experience for the Adobe Photoshop ACA exam. Those who complete the four courses will be able to successfully edit images for print or digital publication. Their skills will allow them to begin a career in Media Arts or further promote their current employer.
The following Arts, Media & Culture courses provide an introduction to design and layout on industry-standard photo-editing software:
- ART 104 Photography I
- ART 105 Photography II
- ART 222 Graphic Arts I
- ART 252 Graphic Arts II
- 3.0 combined GPA
- Student is also able to take Adobe Photoshop ACP exam on campus
This microcredential:
- Comprises 12 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $2,544, plus textbooks and college fees;
These credits are stackable to a degree or certificate:
- Fine Arts Associate in Science
- Media Arts Certificate
- Media Arts Associate in Applied Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees
Master the Spanish language and be able to communicate at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Intermediate Level. This microcredential consists of nine credits, with a focus on linguistic and intercultural instruction. Audiences served by this microcredential include teachers (full-time and substitute), front line service staff, healthcare and community workers and those working within the global environment.
Six credits must be earned from the following courses:
- SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I
- SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II
- SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I
or
- SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II
AND
- SPA 206 Conversational Spanish II
- 2.0 combined GPA and C or higher in SPA 206
This microcredential:
- Comprises 9 credits;
- Is able to be completed in three semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $1,908, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advanced standing available for those with prior language experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Science Associate in Arts
-
and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
Upon completion of each course, participants will earn a New York state Coaching Certificate. One certificate allows the individual to be hired as a coach; it is expected that all three certificates will be earned within a five-year period. These certificates are mandated for those coaching in a public school system if they do not hold a four-year physical education degree.
The following courses build the foundation for coaching within New York state:
- PED 210 The Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education
- PED 211 Health Sciences Applied to Coaching
- PED 212 Theory and Techniques of Coaching
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 8 credits;
- Is able to be completed in three semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $1,696, plus textbooks and college fees
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
Successful participants will have the opportunity to obtain Professional Climbing Instructors Association: Climbing Wall Instructor and Single Pitch Instructor certifications, which allows for entry-level employment as a rock climbing guide, professional route setter or climbing gym management. This microcredential also provides supplemental knowledge for those with careers in other industries, including forestry, telecommunications and adventure programming, among others.
The following courses are required:
- PED 165 Rock Climbing I
- PED 166 Rock Climbing II
- AVS 265 Rock Climbing Guiding and Instruction
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 5 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $1,060, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advance standing available for those with prior climbing experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Outdoor Education Associate in Applied Science
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
Successful participants will have the opportunity to obtain Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Alpine Level 1 certification, which allows for entry-level employment as a ski instructor. Classes are held at Gore Mountain.
The required courses are:
- PED 124 Skiing I
- PED 174 Skiing II
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 2 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $424, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advance standing is available for those with prior ski experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Outdoor Education Associate in Applied Science
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
This microcredential provides successful students the opportunity to earn Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) Alpine Level 1 certification and either American Red Cross certification or Wilderness First Responder, CPR, AED, EPI pen and Narcan certification. The certification provides individuals with the skills they need for entry-level employment as a ski instructor and develops skills integral to other career paths. Some classes are held at Gore Mountain.
Required courses are:
- PED 124 Skiing I
- PED 174 Skiing II
and
- HED 104 First Aid and Safety
or
- HED 108 Wilderness First Responder
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 4 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $848, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advance standing is available for those with prior ski experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Outdoor Education Associate in Applied Science
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
Successful participants will have the opportunity to obtain American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Level I certification, which allows for entry-level employment as a snowboard instructor. Classes are held at Gore Mountain.
The required courses are:
- PED 144 Snowboarding I
- PED 154 Snowboarding II
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 2 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $424, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advance standing is available for those with prior snowboarding experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Outdoor Education Associate in Applied Science
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
This microcredential provides successful students the opportunity to earn American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) Level I certification and either American Red Cross certification or Wilderness First Responder, CPR, AED, EPI pen and Narcan certification. The certification provides individuals with the skills they need for entry-level employment as a snowboard instructor and develops skills integral to other career paths. Some classes are held at Gore Mountain.
Required courses are:
- PED 144 Snowboarding I
- PED 154 Snowboarding II
and
- HED 104 First Aid and Safety
or
- HED 108 Wilderness First Responder
- 2.0 combined GPA
This microcredential:
- Comprises 4 credits;
- Is able to be completed in two semesters;
- Costs $212 per credit, for a total of $848, plus textbooks and college fees;
- Advance standing is available for those with prior snowboarding experience
These credits are stackable to a degree:
- Outdoor Education Associate in Applied Science
- Physical Education Associate in Science
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies Associate in Science
- and other Liberal Arts and Sciences concentrations and degrees
Why microcredentials?
- Microcredentials take less time to earn than a degree. With nine or fewer credits, microcredentials require less than a degree or advanced certificate and can be earned in as little as two semesters.
- You choose what you need and want. Microcredentials grant you the ability to master a skill you want, without the longer-term commitment of a degree program.
- Microcredentials are flexible. Use them as a less expansive concentration with your degree program, to build on your career, to explore an area of interest outside your field of study or, for those who aren't students, career.
