A micro-credential is an official recognition of your achievements of a defined set of skills, knowledge, and/or competencies. Micro-credentials are different from more traditional learning experiences. A micro-credential may recognize learning obtained from a particular experience (workshop, module, on-the-job experience, volunteer work, formal education, etc.). They are designed to fit within busy schedules and adapt quickly to changing needs in the workforce. When you earn a micro-credential, you receive a digital badge, which is a portable and verifiable certification to add to your CV or teaching portfolio.

Any graduate student at Trent University can complete any of the GTA micro-credentials during their studies at Trent. If you are a new Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), you will be automatically enrolled in the Introduction to Graduate Teaching Micro-Credential and GTA Training site on Blackboard in late August. Any GTA can self-enroll in any of the asynchronous micro-credentials at any time. Synchronous micro-credentials are offered annually, and dates will be made available on the Teaching Commons GTA events page and by direct email.

GTAs provide direct instruction to thousands of Trent University undergraduate students each year. They lead discussions, facilitate lab sections, hold office hours, and mark student work. However, many GTAs come into their roles with little training in instruction or assessing student work. Indeed, a survey of GTAs conducted by the School of Graduate Studies (2023) revealed that most respondents wanted more training in advance of their teaching duties. The GTA micro-credentials offer ongoing professional development opportunities in a diverse range of topics. They also offer GTAs official recognition of their professional development that can be included in Teaching Portfolios and CVs.

Our micro-credentials are offered in two formats. Some are asynchronous and online . GTAs can self-enroll in these anytime and complete them at their own pace (keep the assessment windows listed below in mind!). Others involve synchronous events or activities. These are offered at different times throughout the year, and the dates will be posted on our GTA Events page (current GTAs will also receive emails when they are offered). 

Our micro-credentials are offered in two formats. Some are asynchronous and online. GTAs can self-enroll in these anytime after September 3, 2025 and complete them at their own pace (keep the assessment windows listed below in mind!). Others involve synchronous events or activities . These are offered at different times throughout the year, and the dates will be posted on our GTA Events page (current GTAs will also receive emails when they are offered). 

In order to complete a micro-credential, participants must submit a culminating assessment, which will be evaluated by a member of the Trent Teaching Commons. As long as you submit a satisfactory assessment by the first day of the assessment window, you should receive your micro-credential within a month:

Assessment Window 1: Submit by October 15th

Assessment Window 2: Submit by April 1

All of the asynchronous micro-credentials are available on Blackboard, and GTAs can self-enroll in the course using the following instructions:

1. Navigate to your Courses page in Blackboard.
2. Select "Course Catalog" from the upper right corner.
3. In the "Search Catalog" box, enter the name of the course and select "Go." If you want to see all of the GTA micro-credentials that are available in Blackboard, type in “MICR-GTA” and hit “Go.”
4. The results box will display courses that match your search criteria. Find the course you want to enroll in, and hover your mouse over the Course ID. All of the GTA Micro-Credentials should begin with “MICR-GTA.”
5. Use the down arrow and select "Enroll."
6. On the Self-Enrollment page, select "Submit."
7. You should see a confirmation page indicating your enrollment was successful. Click "OK" to enter the course page.
8. Refresh your Blackboard homepage, and you should see the course you enrolled in. Once you enter the site, you will find detailed instructions on how to complete the micro-credential.

Yes! All of the GTA micro-credentials are stackable with one another. GTAs who complete three mandatory and three elective micro-credentials will earn an Advanced GTA Studies in Teaching and Learning Badge! Learn more about the Badge on our website.