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Report

Counting U.S. Postsecondary and Secondary Credentials (2019)

Our 2019 report about the credential ecosystem and current count of postsecondary and secondary credentials.
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Despite increased attention on the need for education and training as a foundation for social and economic security as well as a nationwide expansion in education and training opportunities, the country has never had a good estimate of the number of credentials, much less a strong accounting of their various characteristics and potential returns.

This new report from Credential Engine moves us forward—performing an extensive count and using computational models, when necessary, to estimate that the United States has at least 738,428 unique credentials across 17 separate subcategories. To tackle the credential marketplace we must come together to:

  • Publish Complete and Comprehensive Data on ALL Credentials to the Credential Registry
  • Incorporate Linked Data on Credentials into Tools and AppsLearn more about working with Credential Engine and how you can be part of the solution by reading the report.
Counting US Postsecondary and Secondary Credentials_190925_FINAL

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Report

Equity Advisory Council Report and Recommendations

Credential Engine’s work is centered around data transparency. Transparent, linked, open data has been identified as a particularly valuable tool for revealing inequities, understanding their root causes, and then informing and driving systemic change in a number of areas, including postsecondary education and training. Credential Engine understands that in a society rife with inequities, a commitment to open data use alone is not sufficient. To support the intentional identification and publishing of key data to aid the field in assessing equitable pathways, transfer, and the recognition of learning, Credential Engine convened a broad coalition of equity-focused thought leaders, called the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The Council, along with HCM Strategists, and Credential Engine staff worked diligently to create a report of recommendations.

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The Fast Train from Chaos

Board member, Kathleen deLaski, shares her thoughts on the chaos caused by the "unbundling" of higher education and examines the findings of the 2022 Counting Credentials report.

Report

Counting U.S. Secondary and Postsecondary Credentials Report (2022)

Learners, educators, and policymakers recognize that high school completion and education beyond high school are critical for individuals to thrive in a complex global economy. This fourth Counting Credentials report attempts to count the total credentials available, following a thorough and rigorous method for each credential type. The report identifies 1,076,358 unique credentials in the U.S.

View All Resources
Report

Equity Advisory Council Report and Recommendations

Credential Engine’s work is centered around data transparency. Transparent, linked, open data has been identified as a particularly valuable tool for revealing inequities, understanding their root causes, and then informing and driving systemic change in a number of areas, including postsecondary education and training. Credential Engine understands that in a society rife with inequities, a commitment to open data use alone is not sufficient. To support the intentional identification and publishing of key data to aid the field in assessing equitable pathways, transfer, and the recognition of learning, Credential Engine convened a broad coalition of equity-focused thought leaders, called the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The Council, along with HCM Strategists, and Credential Engine staff worked diligently to create a report of recommendations.

Blog

The Fast Train from Chaos

Board member, Kathleen deLaski, shares her thoughts on the chaos caused by the "unbundling" of higher education and examines the findings of the 2022 Counting Credentials report.

Report

Counting U.S. Secondary and Postsecondary Credentials Report (2022)

Learners, educators, and policymakers recognize that high school completion and education beyond high school are critical for individuals to thrive in a complex global economy. This fourth Counting Credentials report attempts to count the total credentials available, following a thorough and rigorous method for each credential type. The report identifies 1,076,358 unique credentials in the U.S.

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