Earn free micro-credentials in leadership, career readiness, public speaking, business, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The Learning Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is excited to offer UMB students, staff, and faculty access to five free-to-participate micro-courses.
Upon completing a micro-course, individuals are awarded a digital micro-credential and badge, which can be shared and displayed on a resume, CV, email signature, and/or LinkedIn profile.
Each micro-course within The Learning Institute was designed around specific learning objectives that showcase measurable professional skills development desirable to prospective and current employers.
Micro-courses within The Learning Lab are housed online through Blackboard and are completed asynchronously through a semi-structured eight-week schedule. Through The Learning Lab’s micro-courses, participants will have the opportunity to develop their professional skills while reflecting and engaging with a cohort of peers through video-based discussion boards.
CLICK HERE to learn more about The Learning Institute, or scroll down to check out the five exciting micro-courses available this summer and fall.
Available Micro-Courses:
Safe Space Online Micro-Course
Safe Space Online brings UMB’s traditional LGBTQ+ Safe Space program to the virtual world, allowing participants to build their LGBTQ+ allyship skills, engage with a cohort of online peers, and learn about LGBTQ+ identities, activism, support, and inclusive best practices, all from the comfort of their home or office, at any time or any day.
This pilot program is free for all UMB students and employees. As an overview, this program will require a two-month commitment, starting in early October and ending in late November. Enrolled participants will be required to dedicate one to two hours per week and will watch videos, read articles, engage in video-based discussion boards, and complete learning quizzes.
Modules will be opened semi-weekly and require that participants stay on track with the cohort. Individuals who complete this free course will receive a digital certificate, online micro-credential, and digital badge to place on their LinkedIn profile.
Course Schedule: 10/3/22 - 11/28/22
Learning Objectives:
- LGBTQ+ terminology
- How to support someone when as they “come out” to you
- The differences between birth/assigned sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression
- LGBTQ+ history and legal issues
- Inclusive best practices such as gender-neutral and gender-inclusive language and pronouns
Public Speaking Micro-Course
Focusing on the four components of public speaking — speech writing, articulation, body language, and applied practice — this micro-course is designed to provide participants with both the knowledge to be strong public speakers and an opportunity to record themselves, practice, and receive positive feedback from a cohort of fellow learners.
This pilot program will require a two-month commitment, starting in July and ending in late August. Enrolled participants will be required to dedicate two to three hours per week and will watch videos, engage in video-based discussion boards, read assigned readings, and complete learning quizzes.
This course will be hosted online through Blackboard and modules will be opened semi-weekly and require that participants stay on track with the cohort. Individuals who complete this free course will receive a digital certificate, online micro-credential, and digital badge on their LinkedIn profile.
Course Schedule: 7/4/22 - 8/28/22
Guest Presenters:
- Alex Likowski. Executive Director, Media Relations
- Monica Castillo Maggiano. Director, Leadership Communications
Micro-Course Learning Objectives:
- How to use public speaking skills in everyday life
- How to structure and write a written speech
- How to use body language as a communication method
- How to use the voice modulations of tone, tempo, and timbre to improve public speaking as a performative tool
- How to design and use a PowerPoint presentation in a public speaking setting
Career Readiness Micro-Course
Starting in August 2022, this micro-course provides a cohort-based opportunity to learn the essentials of career development such as resume and cover letter writing, virtual and in-person interviewing, LinkedIn and digital branding, and professional networking. This eight-week micro-course will see individuals expand their career opportunities through applied learning, mock interviews, resume and cover letter critiques, and career tips and tricks provided by UMB’s leadership.
This program is free for all UMB students and employees, and requires a two-month commitment, starting in August and ending in late September. Enrolled participants will be required to dedicate one to two hours per week and will watch videos, read articles, engage in video-based discussion boards, and complete learning quizzes.
Modules will be opened semi-weekly and require that participants stay on track with the cohort. Individuals who complete this free course will receive a digital certificate, online micro-credential, and digital badge to place on their LinkedIn profile.
Course Schedule: 8/1/22 - 9/26/22
Micro-Course Learning Objectives:
- How to write a strong cover letter
- How to interview in both an in-person and virtual format
- How to write and the differences between both a resume and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Tips and tricks for reviewing and editing a resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
Principles of Leadership Micro-Course
This eight-week micro-course sees participants learning about leadership’s theoretical and practical foundations. Taught alongside the book “Leadership: Touching Lives” by Cam Caldwell and Verl Anderson, participants will gain a greater understanding of socially responsible leadership, how to build authentic relationships with followers, servant leadership, and how to be a leader who supports and develops other leaders.
Participants will be provided with free digital access to the course textbook. Enrolled participants will be required to dedicate two to three hours per week and will watch videos, read the course textbook, learn about leadership from university leaders, engage in video-based discussion boards, and complete learning quizzes.
Modules will be opened semi-weekly and require that participants stay on track with the cohort. Individuals who complete this free course will receive a digital certificate, online micro-credential, and digital badge to display on their LinkedIn profile.
Course Schedule 9/5/22 - 10/31/22
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the prominent leadership theories such as servant leadership, agency theory, feminine leadership, stewardship theory, principle theory, etc.
- Be able to describe the key characteristics of integrity as a leader and the ethical considerations of leadership
- Have knowledge related to leadership’s role in organizational change
- Have the ability to explain servant leadership and the role a leader plays in serving others
Business Basics Micro-Course
This micro-course provides an introductory overview of key business concepts for individuals looking to explore starting a small business. This course will expose learners to basic business terminology; business plans and proposals; legal business structures (i.e., sole proprietorship, LLC, partnerships, and corporations); simple bookkeeping, accounting, and financial management systems; and a general overview of small business taxation and reporting.
This program is free for all UMB students and employees. Enrolled participants will be required to dedicate two to three hours per week to watch webinars, read, engage in video-based discussion boards, and complete learning quizzes.
Modules will be opened semi-weekly and require that participants stick to a semi-structured learning schedule. Individuals who complete this free course will receive a digital certificate, online micro-credential, and digital badge to place on their LinkedIn profile.
Course Schedule: 10/31/22 - 1/9/23 (schedule adjusted for UMB’s winter break)
Course Learning Objectives:
- Understand commonly used business terminology such as revenue, income, assets, expenses, liabilities, etc.
- Be able to differentiate the various forms of legal business entities, how they are taxed differently, and their levels of liabilities.
- Be able to read and understand simple bookkeeping documents.
- Be able to write a simple business proposal and marketing plan.