Walton College Executive Education Launches Digital Badges

by Alondra Cruz, student intern Walton College Executive Education

Walton College Executive Education launched a digital badge program. Digital badges are web-based versions of a credential, certification or learning outcome. Upon completion of select Walton College Executive Education programs for individuals and organizations, participants receive a digital badge. The badges will be displayed on the LinkedIn platform, where participants can showcase the skill they have developed and verify their professional or technical expertise.

Certificate programs meet parameters indicating a level of rigor or time investment. Each program must meet required standards including time investment,

rigor and assessments to verify the participant has learned a new skill or behavior.

Executive Education has partnered with Accredible, a leading digital credential organization, to provide participants with badges.

Walton Executive Education offers three digital badge certificates. These certificates include the open enrollment programs Walton Proven Leader and Leadership Circle. The Proven Leader certificate program is comprised of three open-enrollment courses: The Power of Leadership, Ethical Leadership, and Strategic Leadership.

To earn the Proven Leader certification, participants must complete the three qualifying courses within a 24-month period.  Leadership Circle is an industry-specific immersive six-month program that provides industry leaders with skills, experiences and connections that create a lasting personal, professional and industry impact. Digital badges are also available for custom organizational program offerings through Executive Education’s Business Foundations program. Business Foundations is completely customizable and designed to meet an organization’s goals and desired outcomes. Suggested content ranges from leadership and management to finance and process improvement skills. Walton College Executive Education looks forward to adding more badge programs in the future.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) participated in the Walton College Executive Education Business Foundations program in 2019. DHS Secretary Cindy Gillespie is pictured here with Tonya Williams, Director of Childcare and Early Childhood Education, and Brent Williams, Associate Dean of Outreach and Executive Education, at the certificate ceremony in September 2019.

“Digital badging helps learners to communicate and externalize the knowledge they have gained. They also help employers better understand the skill sets of employees and potential employees,” said Walton College Associate Dean for Executive Education and Outreach Brent Williams.

An Executive Certificate demonstrates an individual’s commitment to learning and development and the acquisition of new skills and leadership capabilities. Showcasing skills with a digital badge allows participants to share their abilities online in a way that is simple, trusted and verifiable. Badges provide employers and peers corroboration of efforts and capabilities.