Navigating the Landscape of Alternative Credentials
Learn about various types of alternative credentials and the value they create for students, institutions, and employers.
![[Featured Image] An instructor discusses the role of alternative credentials, including micro-credentials and certifications, in a group session.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/2pudprfttvy6/6OgrONW3LfGAn5ZmSG5sgA/ef5a149c367159438d030420ed12980b/GettyImages-1998567539.jpg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
Alternative credentials offer learning options outside of traditional degree programs, such as professional certificates, micro-credentials, bootcamps, and certifications. These education options provide flexible learning opportunities. With online, in-person, and hybrid options available, alternative credentials make it possible to develop industry-specific skills in a short period [1].
Explore examples of alternative credential programs and their value for learners, institutions, and employers.

Understanding the rise of alternative credentials
With a growing demand for upskilling and people looking to develop new abilities for a career change, partly due to the impact of COVID, alternative credentials are an increasingly common way for people to broaden their skill set and career options [2]. When professionals want to develop their skills further and better align them with current demands, it generally isn’t feasible to simply return to school and earn another degree. This is where alternative credentials come in.
However, it’s not just those already in the workforce who benefit. Although completing a degree certainly has value, degree programs sometimes fall short in terms of preparing students with the specific skills they will need. Earning an alternative credential, where the material is more hyper-focused on relevant skills, will help candidates become more job-ready.
The value alternative credentials offer
The value of alternative credentials reaches beyond those who earn them, extending to the companies that benefit from this trend. Focusing more on skills-based qualifications and providing opportunities for those with alternative credentials enables an organization to expand its pool of appropriately skilled candidates. It can ultimately lead to a more diverse workforce thanks to the removal of specific barriers to entry, such as a college degree [2]. Alternative credentials also help ensure organizations are hiring candidates who have the necessary qualifications and skills, since they cover industry and job-specific material that will directly translate to their position.
In addition to bringing in qualified workers, alternative credentials are an effective strategy for developing the skills of an existing workforce. It helps the organization address skill gaps and improve options for internal promotions while showing staff members that the company is invested in their personal development.
Types of alternative credentials
Certificates, certifications, bootcamps, and micro-credentials all belong under the umbrella of alternative credentials. Let’s examine each in more detail, including some of each option's advantages.
Certificates and certifications
Certificate programs allow learners to gain knowledge of specific subject material and award a certificate for successful completion. Certificates, like Coursera's Professional Certificates, are valuable for advancing careers and upskilling your workforce while also taking less time to complete than earning a degree. Another benefit of some certificate programs is that it’s possible to take the credits earned during the program and apply them toward a degree, so you don’t have to choose between one or the other. You can work toward earning both simultaneously.
Certifications and certificates are, in fact, two different credential types. While both focus on skills, certifications often include a specific, industry-accepted exam or assessment, like the PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute. Valuable certifications are desired and earned throughout industries, and they include relevant skills and knowledge that help people perform their jobs at a high level.
Empower your students and staff with industry-recognized skills
- Learn: Access job-aligned Professional Certificates from world-class leaders
- Integrate: Support faculty in embedding micro-credentials into existing courses and programs
- Apply: Provide students with faculty-coached, hands-on learning experiences that reinforce certificate skills
Bootcamps
Bootcamps offer an accelerated alternative to degree programs. In them, learners can develop job-ready skills in areas such as computer programming in a matter of months. Due to their accelerated nature, the material taught focuses on the skills needed for success in real-world settings. In addition to their efficient nature, bootcamps also cost less than a college degree. For employers, hiring bootcamp graduates means getting someone with training focusing specifically on practical skill development [3].
Micro-credentials
Available both online and in person, micro-credentials allow you to develop industry-specific skills in just a matter of days or weeks. Often accessible through educational institutions or organizations, micro-credentials are a reliable way to help your employees gain relevant, up-to-date skills while costing less than alternative options such as a certificate program. Through micro-credential courses, learners can earn digital badges to display their competence and proficiency in various skills.
Measuring the effectiveness of alternative credentials
Earning alternative credentials certainly has its advantages, such as lower costs compared to a college degree, faster time to completion, and the ability to develop skills in highly relevant areas. However, it can be challenging to measure how these alternative credentials affect the workplace. Especially if you’re a business leader investing in these learning efforts in support of a workforce, assessing the return you’re getting on the investment is essential. One way to measure their effectiveness is through employee productivity, which can also give you a good idea about how the new skills impact employees’ work.
Leveraging technology for alternative credential programs
The online availability of alternative credential programs makes them easily accessible and convenient. Certificates, certifications, bootcamps, and micro-credentials are available through online sources such as colleges and universities, with Coursera providing access to several options. Many colleges and learning institutions have partnered with Coursera to expand their alternative credential offerings, which learners can also access directly on Coursera to develop a wide range of skills and earn certificates.
Getting started with Coursera
Alternative credentials are an increasingly popular option for those looking to upskill their current abilities or make a career move. By utilizing online learning options, learners may save money while benefiting from the flexibility and efficiency of alternative credential programs while developing new skills. Coursera’s highly-rated courses, specializations, and professional certificates are here to help learners on their journey.
Coursera for Campus empowers any university to offer job-relevant, credit-ready* online education to students, faculty, and staff. With Coursera for Campus, you can promote student employability by teaching in-demand skills for high-growth fields and help students master job-ready skills with Guided Projects, programming assignments, and in-course assessments—online, offline, and via mobile. Enable faculty to create projects, assessments, and courses tailored to learner needs with Coursera for Campus.
* Credit eligibility determined by your institution.
Article sources
University of Miami. “Alternative Credentials, https://miamioh.edu/academic-affairs/admin-resources/curriculum/alternative-credentials/index.html.” Accessed June 25, 2025.
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.