Funding for SWFL Residents

A micro-credential is a focused learning achievement where you demonstrate mastery in a specific area. These credentials are defined by industry or community partners and are assessed with the help of university experts. They provide a flexible and accessible way for individuals to showcase their expertise and for employers to verify specific skills.

A digital badge is a visual representation of an accomplishment, skill, or certification that can be displayed electronically. It typically contains metadata that provides information about the achievement, such as the issuer, criteria, and expiration date. They can be displayed on websites, social media profiles, or digital resumes, allowing individuals to easily share and verify their accomplishments.

A certificate is an official document that confirms someone has completed a course of study or training, often indicating proficiency or competency in a particular subject or skill.

These programs help make skills visible to employers while also gaining new skills. These credentials are designed to close skills gaps identified by employers and are held to high academic standards. They provide learners with valuable tools to enhance their career prospects, build their personal brand, and network professionally. Additionally, micro-credentialing allows individuals to collaborate directly with employers to meet specific industry needs and contribute to regional impact.

The cost per program differs depending on complexity, modality and duration. You may be eligible for free enrollment courtesy of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the EDA grant. To determine your eligibility for funding, please submit your application for further consideration.

The duration of these programs can vary depending on the specific program and the complexity of the skills being taught. However, many of them are designed to be completed within a relatively short time frame, often ranging from a few weeks to a few months. FGCU offers flexible learning options to accommodate your schedules, including self-paced online courses and accelerated learning pathways.

Follow the ‘Application Process’ steps listed above for further instruction on how to apply for your desired program.

Micro-credentials differ from majors and minors in that they are more narrowly focused on specific workforce-related skills and generally are offered in shorter or more flexible time spans. Micro-credentials do not replace or compete with traditional degree programs, and are not directly part of the for-credit curriculum. 

Industry specific skills are micro-credential created in partnership with industries/employers (public or private) to develop in-demand skills and practices. These micro-credentials build upon and supplement credit-bearing course(s). Learners participate in additional curricular or co-curricular activities in order to qualify for an FGCU digital badge following successful completion of the course criteria.

Continuing Education and Skills Academy micro-credentials are non-credit bearing credentials focused on specific workforce skills. These micro-credentials are designed to upskill and reskill employees and close the skills gaps identified by industry or employer and community partners. These credentials are open to students, alumni and members of the community.

To add these credentials to your LinkedIn profile, update your licenses and certifications section with the credential's name, issuing institution (like FGCU), issue date, credential ID and URL. Upon doing so, your digital badge will appear on your profile, available for your network and employers to view and verify the credential. For digital badges, many platforms support direct integration.

FGCU digital badges are hosted by Canvas Credentials, a leading secure platform for earning, sharing and displaying digital badges. FGCU digital badges are awarded to a student via FGCU email or to a community participant through the email address they provide when registering. Each earned badge has a unique URL and cannot be copied. Badges issued and received on Badgr.com are fully compliant with the Open Badges infrastructure, a universal framework for badges.