What is a micro-credential?

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A micro-credential from the University of Maine System (UMS) is a certification of your competency in skills needed in today’s workforce. Quicker than a degree, a micro-credential focuses on knowledge and practical ability in a specific area — and demonstrates your proficiency to employers.

Our Nursing Micro-Credential Pathways are part of the University of Maine System’s (UMS) Micro-Credential Initiative. Micro-credentials are ideal for UMS students and working professionals seeking opportunities to advance or increase their marketability. Micro-credentials earned through the UMS are verified, stackable, competency-based, and shareable.

What are UMS micro-credential pathways?

Each UMS micro-credential pathway includes several courses. As you progress through the pathway and complete each course, you earn stackable digital badges. Upon completion of the pathway, you are awarded a UMS micro-credential. Your digital badges and UMS micro-credential highlight the skills employers are seeking.

Nursing Education Micro-Credential Pathway

Designed for bachelor-prepared nurses and based on the National League for Nursing Academic Nurse Educator Competencies, this micro-credential can enhance your current nursing role or advance your career.

3 start dates per year

Get started in the Spring, Summer, or Fall

Accelerated courses

Progress quickly with 7-week accelerated online courses & an in-person practicum

Earn graduate credits

Gain 12 graduate course credits toward a degree or certificate

Finish in 6 months

Obtain your Nursing Micro-Credential in just 6 months

Our flexible micro-credential pathway includes three levels. In each level, you’ll complete one or two graduate courses. You’ll learn to design, implement, and evaluate different teaching strategies in various settings. In the final practicum course, you will use these skills and competencies in an academic setting.

A nursing faculty member smiles as two undergraduate nursing students practice using a blood pressure cuff.

Micro-Credential pathway highlights

  • Credits earned in the courses count toward your master’s degree or post-master’s certificate. Credits earned can be transferred to our MSN in Nursing Education or post-master’s Nursing Education Certificate of Graduate Study if admission and credit transfer requirements are met.
  • Accelerated online. Courses are designed for working professionals and offered online in 7-week sessions.
  • Hands-on experience. You will complete an individualized, precepted practicum experiences in an academic setting.
  • Career advancement. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% increase in nursing faculty demand through 2029, roughly twice as high as the average increase in demand!

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the pathway you will be able to:

  • Model the role of the nurse educator
  • Apply nurse educator competencies in classroom, experiential learning, and clinical settings
  • Design, implement, and evaluate teaching strategies
  • Establish a professional nurse educator presence and identity

The Nursing Education Micro-Credential Pathway includes four 3-credit graduate courses. Each course lasts just 7 weeks. Online courses are offered in an asynchronous format, so you can complete coursework from anywhere and on your own schedule. Your final course includes an in-person practicum experience in an academic setting.

Along with each graduate course, you will complete assessments. In Level 1 & 2, you will be assessed on your knowledge and skills, and in Level 3 you will demonstrate your competencies. You must meet all of the assessment criteria to earn the micro-credential.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

We offer three start dates per year. You can choose to begin the pathway in the Spring, Summer, or Fall.

  • Spring 2025 start date: January 21, 2025
  • Summer 2025 start date: May 19, 2025
  • Fall 2025 start date: Late-August 2025

Any licensed nursing professional with a bachelor’s degree or higher is eligible to enroll, including:

  • Licensed nursing professionals who are not currently studying at the University of Southern Maine (USM)
  • Current USM graduate students

Digital badges

There are 3 levels in this pathway. After completing each level you will earn a digital badge. Badges are provided by Canvas Credentials (formerly Badgr), a leading digital credential platform. When you complete the 3 levels, your micro-credential is awarded by the University of Maine System, verifying your knowledge, skills, and competencies. Promote your progress with colleagues and employers by sharing your badges on sites such as LinkedIn.

A badge image with the words University of Maine System, Nursing Education, and one star.
Level 1 Badge: Foundations
A badge image with the words University of Maine System, Nursing Education, and two stars.
Level 2 Badge: Assessment and Evaluation; Curriculum Design
A badge image with the words University of Maine System, Nursing Education, and two stars.
Level 3 Badge: Educator Practicum
A badge image with the words University of Maine System, Nursing Education.
The University of Maine System Nursing Education Micro-credential

Costs

Your cost will vary depending on two factors: whether you are currently enrolled in a USM degree program; and your residency (in-state, out-of-state, or Canadian). Many employers offer tuition reimbursement.

Questions? Connect with our helpful Student Financial Services team.

Courses and credit hoursIn-state & CanadianOut-of-state
Cost for each course (3 credit hours)
$1,653		$4,446
Total cost for all four courses (12 credit hours)$6,612$17,784
The Nursing Micro-Credential Pathway includes four courses. Each course equals 3 credit hours. The costs above include the tuition and fees for 3-credit hour courses. You are considered a non-degree student if you are not currently enrolled in a degree program at USM.

Your cost for each course will be the same as your tuition and fees according to the program you are enrolled in. Each course is 3 credit hours. The Micro-Crential pathway includes four courses, for a total of 12 credit hours. The credit hours earned count toward our MSN in Nursing Education or post-master’s Nursing Education Certificate of Graduate Study.

For your program’s rates, view Graduate Tuition & Fees.

Apply for the Nursing Education Micro-Credential Pathway

Not a current USM student?

Apply for the pathway

Currently enrolled in a USM program?

Current USM students can contact Jill Olausson to enroll.
Scroll down for contact information.

Contact:

Photo of Jill Olausson. She is wearing a zebra and orange sweater and is smiling. She has fair skin and blonde hair.

Jill Olausson PhD, MSN, BSN

SHE | HER | HERS

  • Associate Professor of Nursing
  • Director of Online Nursing Programs
(207) 780-4309
jill.olausson@maine.edu