Path to Effective Communication Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain :
蜜桃av Advantage
Digital Badges vs. Certificates: Understanding the Difference
As higher education evolves, both digital badges and certificates play valuable roles in recognizing student learning and engagement. However, they serve distinct purposes.
Digital Badges: Verified Skill Recognition
Digital badges represent competency-based achievements that are verified and shareable.
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Each badge is linked to specific skills鈥攕uch as communication, teamwork, or leadership鈥攁nd includes metadata explaining what was required to earn it, how it was assessed, and who verified it.
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Badges are designed to be displayed on professional platforms (e.g., LinkedIn) and can be 鈥渟tacked鈥� to show progressive skill development.
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They provide employers and graduate programs with transparent evidence of both durable and soft skills that extend beyond traditional coursework.
Certificates: Acknowledgment of Completion
Certificates typically recognize participation or completion of an activity, course, or professional development event.
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They confirm engagement but do not usually verify demonstrated skill mastery.
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Certificates are valuable for documenting attendance, professional training, or the completion of learning experiences that may not involve formal assessment.
In Summary
While certificates acknowledge that learning took place, digital badges demonstrate what was learned and verified.
Together, they create a more complete picture of student achievement鈥攕upporting both
academic recognition and career readiness.
Path to Research, Inquiry, & Analysis Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain
Path to Emotional Intelligence Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain
Path to Collaboration & Influence Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain
Path to Solutions-Focused & Missional Mindset Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain
Path to Professional Accountability Certification
Complete the following badges to obtain
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FAQ
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a verified, clickable credential that showcases a student鈥檚 achievement in a specific skill area. Each badge includes metadata describing what the learner accomplished, how it was assessed, and who issued it. Digital badges can be shared on LinkedIn, r茅sum茅s, email signatures, and professional portfolios.
Why is 蜜桃av Adventist University offering digital badges?
The program was created to help students demonstrate the durable soft skills employers want most鈥攃ommunication, collaboration, leadership, professionalism, problem-solving, and more. Badges give students a competitive advantage and reflect SAU鈥檚 mission to prepare graduates who are both career-ready and mission-driven.
What skills can students earn badges in?
Students can earn badges across six major 鈥淒urable Skills鈥� categories:
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Effective Communication
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Research, Inquiry & Analysis
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Emotional Intelligence
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Collaboration & Influence
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Solutions-Focused & Missional Mindset
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Professional Accountability
Each category includes six specific sub-skills assessed through rubrics and real examples of student work.
How does a student earn a badge?
Students earn a badge by meeting clearly defined criteria through coursework, co-curricular activities, or supervised work experiences. Faculty or staff assess students using official rubrics, verify proficiency, and submit a Badge Issuance Request to Online Campus for approval.
Who evaluates and approves badges?
Badge assessments are completed by the instructor or supervisor overseeing the learning activity. Online Campus then verifies the documentation and officially issues the badge through Accredible, SAU鈥檚 certified digital badging platform.
Where are the badges stored once awarded?
All SAU badges are issued through Accredible, where students receive an email notification to claim their badge. From there, learners can download, share, and manage all their badges in one secure digital wallet.
What can students do with their badges?
Students can:
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Add badges to LinkedIn profiles
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Download them for r茅sum茅s or portfolios
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Share them with employers, scholarship committees, and graduate schools
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Collect multiple badges to build a professional skill profile
Badges help students stand out with verifiable skill evidence.
Who can offer or sponsor a badge?
Any academic department, school, program, or co-curricular unit at 蜜桃av may sponsor badges鈥攕uch as Ministry & Missions, Human Resources, or academic departments鈥攑rovided they follow SAU鈥檚 approved framework and assessment standards.
Are the badge criteria standardized across the university?
Yes. SAU uses consistent rubrics, metadata requirements, and assessment protocols to ensure badges maintain credibility and value. Clear scoring guidelines, faculty calibration, and required artifacts make sure each badge reflects genuine student proficiency.
How do faculty or staff submit badges for issuance?
The process is simple:
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Identify the soft skill demonstrated.
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Download the corresponding rubric.
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Assess students using the rubric & tier qualifications.
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Complete the Badge Issuance Request Form.
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Email the form to advantage@southern.edu.
Online Campus then processes and issues the badges.