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Only half (53%) of post-secondary credentials are offered by universities: There are 370,000 different and unique credit-bearing degrees and certificates offered by U.S. colleges and universities. The fact that Credential Engine counted more than 7,000 different MOOCS with dozens of different credential types (nanodegree, micro-master, specialization, certificate, etc.) has led to confusion in regard to what all of these credentials mean to employers in need for employees with documented, verifiable skills. Badges Really Are the Rage: At last count, there were more than 190,000 digital badges available that are designed to signify verifiable skills or knowledge in a specific subject at a wide range of vendors – including Badgr, Credly, Acclaim. Other recent reports indicate that while employers are demanding that new – and ongoing – employees demonstrate mastery of essential skills and competencies (as opposed to being satisfied with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree), there is also a significant lack of clarity about what all of these various alternative credentials are, and what an employer can expect of an employee who has completed such a credential.

Several weeks ago, Google announced their much-anticipated Lead Form Extension for their Search campaigns. This form works similarly to those found on Facebook and LinkedIn by triggering a form to pop-up instead of taking users to a landing page. However, as time goes on and Lead Generation Forms see more widespread adoption, it is likely Lead Form Extensions will grow in popularity among users. And while this is speculative, it would make sense that Google will continue to develop the Lead Generation tactic, perhaps creating a separate Search campaign type where all clicks trigger the form to appear instead of just one extension.

Among 36 million students with some college credit but no degree (6.6m more than in 2013), the 10 percent with 2+ years of credit are significantly more likely to re-enroll and finish a credential. Two-thirds of this population started at or last attended a community college (compared with about 20 percent at four-year publics); the largest share (57 percent) chose to re-enroll at a community college; and the largest share (44 percent) graduated from a community college. The largest share of associate degree completers (40 percent) get their degree in liberal/general studies—a common precursor to a bachelor’s degree—while the largest share of bachelor’s degree completers (23 percent) get their degree in business/management. This report makes is clear that colleges seeking to recruit adults returning to college who have less than two years of college credit will have a difficult time doing so; they will have a harder time keeping these students enrolled through to completion.

Only half (53%) of post-secondary credentials are offered by universities: There are 370,000 different and unique credit-bearing degrees and certificates offered by U.S. colleges and universities. A litany of business and organizations provide the other half: A wide range of training companies, government agencies, quasi-public organizations, and MOOC providers offer more than 322,000 different and unique credentials including professional licenses (11k), registered apprenticeships (22k), and industry certifications (7k). MOOCs have no consistency: The fact that Credential Engine counted more than 7,000 different MOOCS with dozens of different credential types (nanodegree, micro-master, specialization, certificate, etc.) has led to confusion in regard to what all of these credentials mean to employers in need for employees with documented, verifiable skills. Other recent reports indicate that while employers are demanding that new — and ongoing — employees demonstrate mastery of essential skills and competencies (as opposed to being satisfied with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree), there is also a significant lack of clarity about what all of these various alternative credentials are, and what an employer can expect of an employee who has completed such a credential.