Recent guidelines enable universities across 49 EU member countries and the US higher education system to confer credit for employment-relevant industry certifications

Authored by Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera

Today, Coursera is excited to reveal that the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) has accredited 17 Professional Certificates from Meta, Microsoft, and IBM, with European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit endorsements. Additionally, five Professional Certificates have received credit recommendations from the American Council on Education.

Students, higher education institutions, and governmental bodies can now accept and transfer academic credit for 21 industry micro-credentials offered on Coursera across 49 member countries in the European Higher Education Area and more than 440 accredited institutions in the United States. This cross-sector effort signifies an advancement toward establishing a comprehensive global network for credit recognition in online education.

As Generative AI and digital transformation rapidly reshape labor markets and employer expectations, universities globally are progressively opting for online learning to enhance student employability. Nevertheless, inconsistent credit frameworks across various higher education systems have historically posed challenges for governments and institutions aiming to achieve uniform recognition for non-traditional credentials, online learning, or time spent studying abroad.

With over 30 of Coursera’s micro-credentials having obtained ECTS credit recommendations and more than 40 achieving ACE credit recommendations, we are progressing towards ensuring that all students can have their online learning acknowledged by institutions worldwide. The following credentials are now eligible for credit under the ECTS framework:

Meta:

• Meta iOS Developer (equivalent to 11 ECTS)
• Meta Android Developer (11 ECTS)
• Meta Database Engineer (9 ECTS)
• Meta Front-End Developer (8 ECTS)
• Meta Back-End Developer (8 ECTS)
• Meta Marketing Analytics (5 ECTS)
• Meta Social Media Marketing (3 ECTS)

Microsoft:

• Microsoft Power BI Developer (8 ECTS)
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst (7 ECTS)
• Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (3 ECTS)

IBM:

• IBM DevOps and Software Engineering (8 ECTS)
• IBM Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst (6 ECTS)
• IBM IT Project Manager (6 ECTS)
• IBM and ISC2 Cybersecurity Specialist (5 ECTS)
• IBM IT Support (4 ECTS)
• IBM Product Manager (4 ECTS)
• IBM Project Manager (4 ECTS)

The following Professional Certificates have been granted ACE Credit Recommendations:

• Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (12 Semester Hours (3 Lower Division, 9 Upper Division)
• Microsoft UX Design (10 Semester Hours (7 Lower Division, 3 Upper Division)
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst (9 Semester Hours / Lower-Division)
• Microsoft Power BI Analyst (5 Semester Hours / Lower-Division)
• HRCI Human Resources Associate (3 Semester Hours / Lower Division)

“Meta Professional Certificates on Coursera enable individuals to elevate their careers with globally-recognized credentials, irrespective of their background or expertise. Our collaboration with Coursera has been affirmed by the recent ECTS endorsements, showcasing our dedication to connecting higher education with industry demands, and furnishing learners with the essential skills needed for sought-after digital professions,” remarked Vikas Wadhwani, Director of Learning and Certifications, Meta.

ECTS facilitates the planning, implementation, and evaluation of European higher education programs, as well as the adaptability of student study structures, including Erasmus. It plays a vital role in the Bologna Process, which aims to enhance the comparability of national education systems on an international scale.

As the primary coordinating entity for the nation’s colleges and universities, ACE encompasses over 1,600 colleges and universities, relevant associations, and additional organizations both in the United States and abroad. ACE stands as the sole significant higher education association that represents all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. Its members educate two out of every three students in all accredited, degree-granting U.S. institutions.

To ensure that higher education can respond to the swiftly-evolving requirements of students and employers, collaboration among higher education, industry, and international organizations is crucial. Coursera is dedicated to further expanding its alliances with leading institutions and credit recognition systems such as ECTS and ACE, facilitating the seamless integration of online credentials into university qualifications and lifelong educational records for all learners.

Discover more about ECTS Credit Recommendations on Coursera here and ACE Credit Recommendations on Coursera here. For additional details regarding Coursera for Campus, visit coursera.org/campus.

The article 21 Meta, Microsoft, and IBM Professional Certificates on Coursera receive new ACE, ECTS credit recommendations originally appeared on Coursera Blog.