The approach by community and technical colleges of embedding “stackable” certificates aligned to industry certifications within associate degrees has emerged in recent years as a practical way of helping students progress along the education continuum while earning credentials with labor market value. By organizing programs into a series of certificates that build on each other, colleges can offer incremental milestones on the path to associate degree completion.

The updated Introduction to Stackable Credentials (January 2021) provides practical steps for colleges interested in enhancing employer engagement, stackable certificates design, student success, and program sustainability.