Recognize Your Skills. Show What You Know.
What Are Digital Badges?
Digital badges are verified, shareable credentials that recognize your skills, knowledge, and achievements—beyond grades and degrees. They’re designed to highlight what you can do in the real world, not just what you’ve studied.
Each badge tells a story about your learning journey. It includes details about what you did to earn it, the skills you demonstrated, and why it matters in the workplace.
Why Digital Badges Matter for Adult Learners
As an adult learner, you bring valuable life and work experience to your education. Digital badges help you connect what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world applications—and then share that with employers, peers, and your network. With digital badges, you can:
- Showcase your professional skills to employers on LinkedIn, résumés, and e-portfolios.
- Track your progress in key areas like leadership, communication, and critical thinking.
- Build your confidence by recognizing your growth and achievements along the way.
How It Works
- Learn & Earn
You’ll complete specific assignments, projects, or milestones in your course or program that align with specific competencies. - Verify
Once completed, your badge is awarded through Canvas Credentials and includes detailed evidence of your achievement. - Share!
Add your badge to your LinkedIn profile, résumé, email signature, or online portfolio to show your skills in action.
Durable Skill Badges
The Division of Continuing Studies offers our learners the opportunity to earn Durable Skill Badges. These badges align with the Education Design Lab’s Durable Skill framework and are embedded in our MLTI Seminar courses as well as other learning experiences outside of the classroom.
The nine Durable Skills include:
Collaboration | Creative Problem-Solving | Critical Thinking | Empathy | Initiative | Intercultural Fluency
Oral Communication | Resilience | Self-Directed Learning
Durable Skills = Transferable, Transformational, Timeless
Durable Skills stay valuable no matter how jobs, industries, or technologies change. Unlike technical skills that may become outdated, Durable Skills last a lifetime—and they’re in high demand across every career field. These skills combine how you think, how you work with others, and how you adapt to change.
They're the foundation of strong leadership, effective communication, and lifelong learning. No matter your background, goals, or experience, investing in Durable Skills development is investing in your long-term success—at work, at home, and in your community.
Why Durable Skills Matter for Every Learner
Whether you're new to college, returning after years away, or advancing in your career, Durable Skills give you the tools to thrive in a changing world. Here’s how:
They Grow with You Durable Skills don’t expire or become obsolete. They evolve as you do. As you move through different jobs, roles, or stages of life, these skills continue to support your growth and adaptability. Your ability to think critically and communicate effectively will help you lead a team today—and help you transition to a new field tomorrow.
They Complement Technical Skills You may already have strong technical knowledge or industry-specific training. Durable Skills enhance those abilities, making you more effective, confident, and capable in real-world settings. Employers consistently say they want people who can work well with others, solve problems, and adapt to change—not just people who can complete tasks.
They Build Confidence and Career Agility By strengthening skills like collaboration, confidence, and creative problem-solving, you’re not just checking boxes—you’re becoming a more empowered learner, leader, and professional. Confidence helps you speak up, take initiative, and own your value—whether you’re in a classroom, a team meeting, or a job interview.
They Support Academic and Personal Success Durable Skills help you manage your time, make thoughtful decisions, and stay focused on your goals. These are essential tools for navigating college and life as an adult learner. Skills like self-directed learning and critical thinking help you take charge of your education—and apply what you’re learning in meaningful ways.
They Open Doors and Tell Your Story When you earn a digital badge for a Durable Skill, you can show others—not just tell them—what you’re capable of. These verified credentials can be shared with employers, added to your résumé or LinkedIn, and used to demonstrate real-world readiness.