Wichita State University now offers badges for undergraduate and graduate credit, with several programs that make workforce training and continued education accessible and affordable.

Once completed, employers are able to view a digital badge to understand what skills potential employees have learned and developed. Designed for practicing professionals, badges can also help with certification or re-licensure.

“Employers will be able to evaluate applicants based on learning outcomes rather than just a letter grade,” said Kimberly Moore, director of Workforce, Professional and Community Education. “Badges will assist employers in identifying the best candidates for a job opening.”

A badge is worth up to one credit hour and requires about 22.5 hours of online instruction and study time. The coursework can be completed at a student’s own pace, making the workload manageable for those with jobs or other commitments.

“The response has been very positive,” said Moore. “Students like the convenience and affordability of the badges.”

Badge topics covered at WSU include health sciences, behavioral science, business, education, engineering and general workforce. Each course has documented learning outcomes, detailing what students learned from the course.

Earning credit through badges helps students remain desirable candidates in highly competitive markets, and badge coursework will appear on a WSU transcript. Badge courses are only for non-degree-seeking students.

“It is very important that there is a skilled and trained workforce in our community in order to attract and keep and grow business and industry,” said Moore.

To learn more about the badge program, go to badges.wichita.edu. For frequently asked questions, go to http://badges.wichita.edu/node/14.