Picture this: You’re ready to start a new career or level up your skills. You find an online course promising skills in AI, data analytics or cybersecurity. The website is polished. The testimonials are glowing. But is this all enough for you to have the confidence that your investment in time and money will deliver a quality, respected credential. How will you go about making sure a credential is valid? Will your future or current employer respect this credential? Wouldn’t it be great to not have to make this decision on your own?
This is the growing dilemma facing learners and employers alike in a rapidly expanding world of short-term, nondegree credentials. They know the importance of making sure a credential is valid. As demand has exploded, so too has confusion about what these credentials really mean — and which ones are worth your time, money and trust.
It’s exactly this problem that led ABET, the global leader in quality assurance for higher education programs, to launch something new: the Recognition of Credentials service.
“Our Recognition of Credentials service began over a decade ago, when we identified significant growth in professional development, continuing education, and workforce preparation,” said Dr. Michael Milligan, CEO of ABET. “It was clear there was a need — and a natural place — for ABET to play a role in validating quality through credential recognition. From there, we developed rigorous standards to ensure the quality and integrity of this new service.”
What Is a Credential — and Why Should You Care?
With so many credentials flooding the market — especially in rapidly evolving fields like AI, cybersecurity and data science — learners and employers alike face a dizzying question: Which of these actually mean something?
“There’s a bewildering array of offerings out there,” said Larry Jones, who serves on the ABET Credential Recognition Steering Committee. “As a learner, you’re often left guessing which ones are meaningful and which are just glossy marketing.”
(from left to right) ABET CFO/COO, Jessica Silwick, Dr. Larry Jones and Dr. Donna Reese
Even the term “credential” can be confusing.
“We centered on the word because it’s the broadest umbrella,” said Donna Reese, fellow Steering Committee member. “We’re talking about all of these short-term, nondegree learning experiences — badges, certificates, microcredentials — that are often completely unregulated.”
ABET’s new service addresses that head-on.
Instead of accrediting academic programs (like ABET has done for nearly a century), this recognition service evaluates non-degree credentials to ensure they meet ABET’s high standards for process, structure and learner outcomes.
Think of it like the Michelin Guide — but for credentials.
Just like a Michelin star signals an exceptional dining experience, ABET recognition tells you that an organization’s recognized credential has been thoroughly reviewed, is reliable and meets high quality standards. Most importantly: what’s promised is actually delivered.
ABET reviews credentials on a quarterly basis, with each recognition lasting three years. The system is designed to be faster and more agile than traditional academic accreditation, making it ideal for areas like artificial intelligence or data science, where change is constant.
“You say what you’re going to do, you do it, you measure how well it worked and you improve it,” Reese said. “That’s what we look for.”
Why ABET?
ABET isn’t new to quality assurance. Since 1932, its quality assurance services have set the global standard for higher education programs. That same credibility is now being applied to non-degree credentials.
Before diving head-first into the credential space, ABET closely monitored the evolving landscape. “We became convinced this was a meaningful opportunity to serve learners,” Dr. Milligan said. “This became a strategic objective supported by our Board of Directors. Under Larry and Donna’s leadership, a dedicated task force began working in earnest to build the framework.”
This new recognition service is built for the speed of industry. Each recognition lasts three years — long enough to maintain stability, but short enough to keep pace with evolving technologies.
And in a marketplace where new credentials can appear overnight and fade just as fast, that kind of responsiveness is essential.
Why This Matters — Now More Than Ever
This is more than a service — it’s a safeguard. For learners. For employers. For the institutions and organizations providing credentials.
“If I’m a learner investing in a credential, I want assurance it’s going to do what it promises,” said Reese. “If I’m an employer, I want confidence that someone with that credential has truly gained the skills it claims to offer.”
ABET’s recognition provides that confidence.
“’Truth in advertising’ is the phrase we keep coming back to,” Jones said. “Even big names can drop the ball. ABET’s recognition aims to prevent that.”
For providers, it adds credibility and competitive value.
“Why does a restaurant go after a Michelin star?” Reese asked. “It’s not just about prestige. It builds trust.”
Who Stands to Benefit?
- Learners gain confidence that the credential they earn will mean something to future employers.
- Employers can trust that recognized credentials represent real, verifiable skills.
- Credential providers build credibility and attract more learners by earning ABET’s stamp of recognition.
Just like restaurants proudly display their Michelin stars, credential providers who earn ABET recognition can showcase their commitment to quality — backed by one of the most trusted names in STEM education.
What’s Next?
ABET’s Recognition of Credentials service is just getting started, but it’s already attracting attention from major players like Siemens, who saw the value in independent quality assurance early on.
As Dr. Milligan shared, “Given our history of setting global standards in higher education, ABET was the logical choice.”
And if you’re a learner, an employer or a credential provider navigating today’s crowded and chaotic professional development market, that logic couldn’t be clearer.
Because not all credentials are created equal — and the right recognition can make all the difference.
Ready to Elevate Your Offerings?
Let’s ensure quality for alternative learning pathways that you come to expect with ABET. Learn more and express your interest today!