Resources and training
Gather essential tools, review standards and find guidance to help you create and issue high-quality noncredit digital badges.
This information is designed for badge issuers and unit administrators participating in the noncredit digital badging experience, whether you’re designing your first noncredit digital badge or expanding your unit’s offerings.
Badge categories at a glance
Oregon State noncredit digital badges fall into three categories. Each category has distinct criteria, design elements and use cases:
| Badge type | Purpose | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Professional development | Recognizes assessed, skills-based learning with clear outcomes | OSU employees and noncredit learners |
| Completion and participation | Acknowledges attendance or exposure to learning experiences | OSU employees and noncredit learners |
| Service and recognition | Celebrates contributions, honors or awards for exceptional service | OSU employees only |
Earning criteria by badge type
Each badge type includes different expectations for rigor and assessment. Here’s how to determine what applies:
| Badge type | Required elements |
|---|---|
| Professional development | • Assessed learning (graded or pass/fail) • Learning outcomes aligned with OSU/industry standards • Examples: simulations, written analysis, multi-step projects |
| Completion and participation | • Full attendance/engagement in defined experience • Learning outcomes not required • Optional quiz • Examples: conference, seminar, webinar, workshop |
| Service and recognition | • Nomination or fulfillment of recognized service • Reflects exceptional impact or dedication • No assessment, but criteria must be clear and tied to significance • Examples: committee leadership, mentorship award |
Badge design
Every Oregon State noncredit badge follows a consistent visual rooted in OSU’s brand. These design elements help badge earners, employers and educators quickly recognize the badge purpose and rigor. During the pilot phase, the Division of Educational Ventures will create a digital badge for each participating unit.
Badge metadata standards
Each badge issued in Credly — OSU’s badge platform — must include clear, learner-centered metadata that reinforces its value and usability. This information will be collected via the badge submission form. During badge development, the Director of Alternative Credentials can offer guidance on metadata language and skills tags.
| Metadata field | What to include |
|---|---|
| Name | Clear, action-oriented (e.g., “Effective Team Leadership”) |
| Description | What the earner achieved, how it benefits them and context for where the skill applies |
| Earning criteria | Transparent explanation of what the learner completed or demonstrated |
| Skills tags | Machine-readable keywords aligned with workforce relevance (Tools: Lightcast Skills, WEF Skills Framework, Skills-First Workforce) |
| Issuing organization | “Oregon State University – [Your College/Division/Unit]” |
| Issue/expiration | Permanent unless tied to time-sensitive compliance training |
Writing effective badge descriptions
Use language that reflects both the learner’s achievement and Oregon State’s credibility. Strong descriptions should:
- Be learner-centered (e.g., “This badge recognizes the earner’s ability to…”).
- Emphasize skills and real-world application.
- Clearly position OSU as the issuer and quality assurer.
Governance and approval requirements
To ensure credibility and consistency:
- All badge proposals must be approved by the college dean, vice provost or unit designee.
- The Director of Alternative Credentials must confirm badge criteria and metadata prior to launch.
- DEV’s Alternative Credentials Unit will:
- Provide a badge for use in Credly during the pilot.
- Maintain a centralized badge submission process.
- Review and audit badge content before issuance.
Quality assurance and evaluation
To maintain high standards across the university:
- All metadata fields must be complete and accurate.
- The ACU, in partnership with University Human Resources and University Information and Technology, will evaluate:
- Badge acceptance and sharing rates.
- Unit participation.
- Learner and issuer feedback during the pilot year.
Access key resources
