Maine universities award college credit for

The University of Maine System will award college credit for career-readiness microcredentials earned by high school students. Starting this fall, students in the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) program can earn up to eight credits for skills like financial literacy and entrepreneurship, according to an announcement made Wednesday.

JMG serves more than 13,000 students annually. Kim Lipp, JMG's CEO, said nearly 70 percent of those students come from economically disadvantaged households where neither parent attended college. For them, college can feel unfamiliar. "They don’t see themselves as college-going," Lipp said.

Faculty Governance Approval

This marks the first time faculty governance groups at Maine’s public universities have agreed to accept microcredentials for college credit. The university system evaluated the JMG courses through its standard process for awarding credit for prior learning, which includes work and military experience.

How the credits apply will vary by each institution in the system. "Some may count for elective credit, and some may count, for example, financial literacy may count as a personal financial literacy 101 course on other campuses," Lipp explained. JMG collaborated with the university system early on to develop the microcredential framework.

A Broader Credentialing Shift

Craig Larrabee, CEO of GenUS, a national JMG affiliate, said the initiative reflects a move away from viewing postsecondary education solely as four-year degree attainment. "Higher education is no longer just about degree attainment, it’s a credentialing world," Larrabee stated. He argued that conversations about diverse pathways are not happening enough with high school students.

The microcredentials are designed as portable digital badges earned over multiple high school years. Larrabee said recognizing this learning is valuable for students who have historically faced barriers. "Recognizing and validating durable skills is creating a level of confidence for these young people," he said.

Aligning with State Goals

The program supports a statewide goal. Maine aims for 70 percent of working-age adults to hold a credential leading to a good job by 2035. Currently, about 55 percent of residents hold such a credential. Lipp believes the new initiative can help narrow that gap.

"Many students can benefit," Lipp said. "They’re leaving high school with eight college credits that they’ve earned by attaining these credentials." She added that this gives students something valuable to take with them, potentially changing their perception of what is possible.

The approach may extend beyond Maine. According to JMG, education systems in Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are considering similar models. Lipp noted that celebrating durable skills attainment is another way to build student confidence for postsecondary pursuits.

Students develop at different rates, she said. Some do not succeed in traditional academics while in high school. Allowing them to be recognized for durable skills can provide a crucial confidence boost.