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We are excited to announce that certain OCPE programs will issue a new credential—a digital badge—to students who successfully complete the program requirements.
Once you earn a digital badge through one of our courses or certificate programs, we encourage you to display the badge proudly as a demonstration of your educational accomplishment. Look for the “Earn a Digital Badge” information on webpages for courses that offer them!
What Is a Digital Badge? How Will It Help Me?
A digital badge is a credential you can earn and share digitally by completing an approved Rutgers OCPE training program. It demonstrates to prospective employers, schools, peers, and others the saleable skills you acquired and what you accomplished.
How Will I Receive My Digital Badge?
After your course concludes and all final assignments and exams are scored, the program coordinator will email those who successfully met the program requirements to let them know that a digital badge will be issued. Within 48 hours after you receive that message, the digital badge will be sent to you via email from Rutgers Digital Credentials (credentials@docs.rutgers.edu). It will include instructions on how to access and share your badge.
How Can I Show Off My Digital Badge?
You can share or display your badges on your social media accounts, LinkedIn profile, email signature, or even your resumes via a QR code or the badge URL. The simple steps to do so will be provided to you when your badge is issued.
How Does a Digital Badge Display Information about the Training I Completed?
By clicking on the badge, anyone can view on a secure webpage embedded data (“metadata”) created by the training provider that details the requirements you met to earn the badge. This may include the time commitment to earn the badge, the skills and knowledge you acquired, a portfolio of your work, the reputable institution that issued it, and other information about the training program you successfully completed.
How Is a Digital Badge Better Than a Paper Certificate?
The transparent and digital nature of a badge makes it quick and easy for others to understand your achievement and to be sure that the information about the program you completed is trustworthy and accurate. The badge can’t be duplicated by others because it is tied specifically to your achievement and the metadata is stored in the servers of a third-party badging company which designates whether the information has been verified or not.
The badge metadata also provides a more detailed picture of the competencies you acquired, making it a more valuable addition to your portfolio than a standard paper certificate. Some badges can also be stacked to demonstrate an earner’s cumulative skills in a particular area.
Will I Still Receive a Certificate?
Any course that already issues a certificate—whether on paper or via email—will continue to do so. If you successfully complete the requirements of the program, you will not need to make a special request; the certificate will automatically be issued to you.