Rockland Community College Offers Microcredentials

Rockland Community College is offering four micro-credentialing initiatives to help students distinguish themselves in a competitive marketplace. Microcredentials fully leverage workforce capabilities with highly marketable skills by gaining specific knowledge in emerging fields and promoting professional growth for students in a new distance economy. They are aligned with high-demand industry areas to help employers navigate digital transformation and identify a new way of doing business while closing the skills gap. Microcredentials and skills badges are used by students to upskill for better career opportunities or stack toward a degree for added value and greater marketability.

At present, 23 credit-bearing microcredentials are offered, including Automotive Technology Fundamentals program, Early Childhood Education Fundamentals program, IT Support Professional – Desktop Support and Networking and Security programs, and Firefighter & Emergency Service I and Firefighter & Emergency Service II.

“Our goal with this initiative is to meet the emerging demands of both our students and employers, to accelerate the pace of economic progress in our community,” states Dr. Victoria Ukachukwu, Provost of Rockland Community College. “We are preparing students with the essential skills and certifications to enhance their employability, ensuring they are well equipped to compete in a dynamic and constantly evolving job market.” 

In the Automotive Technology Fundamentals microcredential microcredential, students take two college courses to earn the microcredential. Upon successful completion of the requirements, students are prepared to apply for quick lane, lube tech, prep tech, or entry-level positions with an automotive dealership or repair shop. Participants will learn about career opportunities through our industry partners, and be able to seamlessly transition to the automotive technology degree program. The shortage of automotive technicians is expected to grow to over 800,000 by 2025. 

Early Childhood Education Fundamentals microcredential is designed for those who aspire to work with children from birth to 5 years of age. Participants will learn about the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, as well as the interconnections between history, theory, culture, research, and practice in diverse educational settings. They will also document educational outcomes. Fieldwork is required. This microcredential aligns with the college coursework required for New York State Level II and III Teaching Assistant certifications. 

The IT Support Professional - Desktop Support microcredential prepares students for an entry-level role in IT support. Course topics include equipment installation, maintenance and management of computer hardware, operating systems, and software in home and corporate environments, along with an introduction to networking and security. Students will earn certifications in TestOut® Client Pro and TestOut PC Pro®. 

Building upon the skills learned in Desktop Support, the IT Professional - Networking and Security courses include network device installation, configuration and management, security policies, network and host defense, disaster and recovery planning and vulnerability assessments. Students will earn certifications in TestOut® Network Pro and TestOut Security Pro®. Both IT professional microcredentials lead to a degree in Cyber Security. The college is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency. 

Firefighter & Emergency Service I microcredential prepares learners for career firefighter interviews and fulfills the 15-credit course requirement for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) exam. A firefighter is a skilled professional who combats fires, rescues people, and protects life, property, and the environment. They respond to emergencies such as car accidents, natural disasters, and other critical incidents while safeguarding vital infrastructure (energy, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture, etc.) and collaborating with police and medical services. The coursework also covers protection principles, investigation techniques, and concepts related to industrial espionage and competitive intelligence. 

Firefighter & Emergency Services II includes advanced topics such as fire and emergency services administration, which focuses on the organizational and managerial aspects of fire and emergency services; terrorism and homeland security, which examines the complexities of counter-terrorism and homeland security measures; and principles of management, which provides essential management skills for leading teams and managing resources in emergency situations. This microcredential prepares learners for career firefighter interviews and fulfills the 15-credit course requirement for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) exam.

Additional microcredentials are in development for in-demand industries. The credential is listed on a student’s transcript to present to prospective employers, and students are awarded a digital badge for career networking and displayed on social media platforms.

For more information about enrolling in microcredentials at RCC, visit: https://sunyrockland.edu/academics/micro/or email micro@sunyrockland.edu.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at www.sunyrockland.edu.