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Micro-Credentials

A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition. NEA offers over 175 micro-credentials that have been created by educators for educators.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re interested in taking steps to improve your practice as an educator and create better outcomes for your students. Congratulations! Your commitment to lifelong professional learning is essential in helping NEA fulfill its mission to provide a great public education for every student.

Unfortunately, not all educators have access to the professional development support they need. That’s why we created NEA Micro-credentials—to make it easy for all educators (teachers and education support professionals alike) to access professional learning opportunities throughout our careers.

Visit nea.certificationbank.com to get started

What’s a Micro-Credential? 

A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area. NEA micro-credentials are grounded in research and best practice and designed to be: 

  • Personalized: You can create your own learning journey, based on your interests and career goals; gaps in your skills; and the specific needs of your students, school, and district. 
  • Flexible: You can study when it’s convenient for you, alone or with your peers. 
  • Performance-based: Unlike “sit-and-get” certifications, NEA micro-credentials are awarded based on demonstrated mastery of the subject matter, not just for showing up. 

How Do Micro-Credentials Work? 

Micro-credentials are flexible. You can choose to learn on your own, or join a learning community and support each other through the process. The process is rigorous, so working with a group can help you earn your micro-credential sooner. Contact your local NEA affiliate to learn more about your options. 

I chose the NEA micro-credentials specifically because of the reputation of the organization. Unlike private firms who offer micro-credentials for a cost, I knew that the NEA had the best interest of educators in mind and that they would be consistent and reliable. –Kristen Pierce (IL)  

Ready to get started? Here's how it works, at a glance:

  • Go to nea.certificationbank.com to get started. 
  • Select a skill you have developed or would like to develop. 
  • Collect the required evidence demonstrating your competence in the selected area.  
  • Submit by uploading your evidence.   
  • Share your achievement with others! 

Partnerships

Digital Promise

NEA works in close partnership with Digital Promise on micro-credential development. Digital Promise has built an ecosystem of more than 400 micro-credentials covering a wide variety of topics and skills to personalize learning for educators. To learn more, visit microcredentials.digitalpromise.org.

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Teaching with Primary Sources

NEA has partnered with Citizen U®, as part of the Barat Education Foundation Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program grant, to develop a series of micro-credentials. These micro-credentials, developed in conjunction with other TPS Consortium members, are designed to help educators better integrate inquiry learning with primary sources into instruction across grades and disciplines using a variety of frameworks and strategies. More micro-credentials will be added yearly. Access the TPS micro-credentials by visiting nea.certificationbank.com/TPS.

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National Center for Safe Supportive Schools NCS3

NEA acknowledges the National Center for Safe Supportive Schools (NCS3) for their review and endorsement of the following stacks of micro-credentials.

National Center for Safe Supportive Schools logo

CodeVA

NEA acknowledges CodeVA for their collaboration on the Computer Science micro-credentials.

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Micro-credentials Resources for Affiliates

Need some help promoting NEA's micro-credentials or administering professional learning groups among your members? We've created a set of resources that make it easy for you to hit the ground running.
National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.