Certification + Degree Pathways in Support of First-Generation, Low-Income, and Adult Learners

As part of a three-year grant from ECMC Foundation, Workcred, the League for Innovation in the Community College, and the Higher Learning Commission teamed up to develop an affordable, scalable approach to align associate degrees with industry needs through Certification + Degree (C+D) Pathways.

C+D Pathways, which involves embedding industry certifications into associate degree programs, aligns with both student goals and industry needs. Furthermore, they better position students in their field and help to build a pipeline of skilled workers.

During the project, Workcred and its partners collaborated with the Community College of Aurora, Delta College, Kirkwood Community College, and Moraine Valley Community College to develop and implement C+D Pathways in IT and health science programs, and establish a process for economical replication. See the pathways that were developed below.

By aligning their curricula with the competencies assessed on certification exams, community colleges are ensuring that their curricula is up-to-date and meets the skill needs defined by employers. Also, community colleges benefit from nationally-validated industry competencies while maintaining the flexibility to incorporate additional competencies identified by regional employers.

The project culminated in the following resources: