Stackable Credentials

by Karen Stevens, Health/Medical Program Specialist, FCPS Adult and Community Education (ACE)

Did you know that professional certifications and credentials are in high demand? Why, you ask? Half of America's jobs require more than a high school diploma and less than a college degree.

That’s where “stackable credentials” come in. Stackable credentials are a practical way to progress along an educational path. “Stackable” means you can earn credentials one at a time that build on each other. They align with industry standards and have real labor market value. These credentials are building blocks for career pathways that maximize employability, teach hands-on skills, and effectively utilize time and financial resources. As students complete credentials aligned to in-demand skills and employment opportunities, they can also secure entry-level employment in their chosen career fields while continuing their education. Recognizing that students may have their education interrupted, a program of study with stackable credentials also provides multiple exit points; they leave with a workforce-ready and relevant credential and can re-enter the educational pathway at a later time.

A major advantage of stackable credentials is that each credential can be part of a series of industry-recognized credentials that can be accumulated over time. These credentials demonstrate an individual’s expanded knowledge and competencies, increase employability or advancement in a career and enhance his/her marketability and earning potential.

Stackable credentials are an attractive educational option for learners seeking to improve their employment prospects by providing validation of their industry-specific competencies to employers.

Stackable opportunities in healthcare include:





For more information about stackable credentials offered through FCPS ACE, please visit https://aceclasses.fcps.edu or contact healthmed@fcps.edu.

–U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Introduction to Stackable Credentials, Washington, D.C., 2021
– www.nhanow.com