Building Success Step-by-Step
Sequenced certificates, certifications, and degrees designed to build on one another allow students to accumulate qualifications over time while advancing toward higher-paying employment opportunities.
Non-Linear Education
Traditional continuous full-time education doesn’t serve today’s students or employers
Workforce Mismatch
Rapid technological change requires current, specific skills alongside traditional degrees
Access Barriers
Many students cannot commit to traditional degree timelines due to work and family responsibilities
Proof Points
Stackable credentials provide immediate workforce value while maintaining pathways to advanced education, reducing financial risk and accommodating diverse student needs.
- Students earning stackable credentials are 30% more likely to complete higher-level qualifications
- 16% average wage increase after initial credentials, with additional 18% for each subsequent credential
- 40% higher retention rates for adult learners compared to traditional degree programs
- 25% reduction in completion gaps for historically underserved populations
Ivy Tech Community College’s Career Accelerator Program allows students to earn meaningful credentials in 8-week cycles, with each certificate aligned to employment opportunities and contributing fully toward associate degrees. This achieved 45% increase in credential completion rates with 68% continuing to stack additional credentials.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indiana
Benefits
Stackable credentials provide flexible pathways to career advancement while helping institutions serve diverse populations and respond quickly to changing workforce needs.
Career Advancement
Immediate workforce entry with continuous pathways to higher qualifications
Flexible Learning
Accommodation of work, family, and life circumstances while pursuing education
Economic Returns
Measurable wage gains at each credential level with cumulative benefits over time
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