
Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials are tightly focused learning experiences that allow you to acquire knowledge or skillsets essential to a particular career demand. While micro-credentials may consist of credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing components, Northwestern’s micro-credentials programs are primarily credit-bearing and embedded in other degree programs. This means that they may be used to satisfy requirements for a bachelor’s degree while simultaneously giving you a vital professional skillset or body of knowledge. You may also choose to take a micro-credential in isolation to develop critical workforce skills for a current or future job.
Information about Northwestern’s micro-credentials may be found below or at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s UpskillOK webpage - https://upskillok.org/.
CONTACTS:
Dr. James Bell
Vice President for Academics
Herod Hall, second floor
(580) 327-8590
JLBell@nwosu.edu
OR
Contact the Chair of the department in which a micro-credential resides here at Northwestern.
Alternative Certification Micro-Credential in Graduate Education
Alternative Placement (Certification) Program
To apply for the alternative certification program (housed in NWOSU's graduate studies department):
1. Apply for Admission or Readmission to NWOSU
- Send in official transcripts
- Complete immunization form
- All official E-transcripts must be submitted by the issuing institution to Sheri Lahr at sklahr@nwosu.edu or Teri Warren at tlwarren@nwosu.edu to be considered official. Mail official transcripts to NWOSU-Registrar 709 Oklahoma Blvd. Alva, OK 73717
2. Apply to Graduate Studies Alternative Certification Program of Study. This application requires two documents to be uploaded. If you do not have one, simply upload the same one twice or a blank document.
3. Once accepted to the university and graduate studies, meet with Dr. Jen Oswald, program advisor, for individual advisement and plan of study.
NWOSU Plan of Study for Individuals Seeking Alternative Teaching Certification
Northwestern Oklahoma State University supports individuals seeking alternative certification and strives to prepare individuals for success as educators. The Division of Education provides classes through the Curriculum and Instruction graduate program, which is designed to meet the needs of those who are alternatively or emergency certified. (No prior educational knowledge expected.)
Individuals can:
- Elect to take individual courses at the graduate level from the Curriculum and Instruction plan of study to meet additional coursework required by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Completion of graduate-level courses may move an individual across the salary schedule to earn more money.
- Complete a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, which provides a deeper understanding of teaching through the study of curriculum and pedagogy. In addition to being better prepared to teach, the completion of the master’s degree places an individual in a higher earning bracket on the salary schedule.
Either option will meet the state’s alternative certification requirement through Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).
To learn more about the classes needed to complete this micro-credential see the information labeled Curriculum Outline, and Alternative Certification Micro-Credentials at https://www.nwosu.edu/graduate-studies/education/curriculum-instruction
Corrections Professional Micro-Credential in Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement/Corrections
Are you interested in increasing your knowledge base and professional potential in the corrections field?
Corrections Professional Micro-Credential
This nine-hour online program provides a solid grounding in knowledge and skills essential for entry-level correctional officers. Coursework offers an introduction to the corrections field, an exploration of underlying social issues and problems associated with criminal behavior, and foundational knowledge related to the corrections system and environment. Courses are taught by faculty in the highly respected criminal justice program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
The Curriculum
The program is designed to be completed in 2-3 semesters, with summer courses available.
CJUS 2113 Intro to Corrections
SOC 2123 Social Problems & Issues
CJUS 1223 Criminal Law
OR
CJUS 3333 Organization of Criminal Justice Systems
OR
CJUS 4403 Probation, Parole and Community Treatment
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.
Getting Started
- Complete and save to your computer the interest form found at www.nwosu.edu//uploads//academics/social-sciences/corrections-professional-micro-credential-app.pdf . You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
- Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
- On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
- You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process.
Information
If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. James Bell, Vice President for Academic Affairs (jlbell@nwosu.edu, (580) 327-8406).
Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Micro-Credential in Social Work
Are you interested in increasing your knowledge base in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health?
Micro-credentials are a form of certification for professionals to demonstrate their skills and expertise in specialized areas and can provide a pathway for continuing education and professional development.
Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Micro-Credential
NWOSU has developed a micro-credential for social service professionals that includes a 3-credit-hour course and 6 clock hours of approved training. The curriculum and training selected provide a solid foundation in the study of infant and early childhood mental health. The credential emphasizes the importance of supporting the developing parent-infant relationship and promoting secure attachments. Participants will be required to complete one three-credit-hour course and 6 clock hours of approved infant and early childhood mental health training to earn the credential. The course and training are taught by faculty in the highly respected social work program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and leaders in the field of infant & early childhood mental health.
The Curriculum
The program is designed to be completed in 1-2 semesters.
- SOCW 4123 Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (3 credit hour course)
- 6 clocked hours of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health training as approved by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) and/or NWOSU Department of Social Work
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.
Get Started by Enrolling in SOCW4123
- Complete and save to your computer the interest form found at https://www.nwosu.edu/uploads//academics/social-work/infant-early-child-mental-health-micro.pdf
- You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
- Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
- On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
- You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process.
Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training Hours
- Prior Approval Request Form - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training
- Verification of Attendance Form - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training
Information
If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. Kylene Rehder, Department of Social Work Chair at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.
Science of Reading Micro-Credential
Spanish for ESL Pedagogy Micro-Credential
Are you interested in increasing your ability to meet the needs of English language learners in your classroom?
Micro-credentials are a form of certification for professionals to demonstrate their skills and expertise in specialized areas and can provide a pathway for continuing education and professional development.
Spanish for ESL Pedagogy Micro-Credential
NWOSU has developed a micro-credential for current and future educators who seek to interact confidently with Spanish speakers in diverse school settings. Students will gain practical skills in supporting second language learners, including the ability to develop, modify, and implement strategies designed to aid English language learners in acquiring academic language and content-area knowledge.
The Curriculum
The program is designed to be completed in a single semester. Because the course embeds Spanish instruction into its instruction and outcomes, it may be used to meet the general education foreign language requirement at NWOSU. It may also be used as an education elective in some programs.
- Completion of three-hour course in EDUC 3274 or EDUC 5244 Spanish for ESL Pedagogy is required.
- Courses are currently taught synchronously via interactive television (ITV) in the spring semester and online in summer and fall semesters.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.
Get Started by Enrolling in EDUC 3274 or EDUC 5244
If you are not already an admitted Northwestern student:
- Complete the interest form found at https://www.nwosu.edu/forms/esl-pedagogy-micro-credential .
- You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
- Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
- On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
- You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. Jen Oswald, Chair of the Division of Education, at jdoswald@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8451, or Dr. Robert Vest, Associate Professor of Spanish, at rcvest@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8466.
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