Twelve Google and IBM Professional Certificates on Coursera Receive ECTS Credit Recommendations

Coursera is announcing today the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) has certified 12 Professional Certificates from Google and IBM, with European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credit recommendations available exclusively on Coursera. Now, ministries, higher education institutions, and students can accept and transfer university credit for eligible industry micro-credentials on Coursera at institutions across 49 member nations in the ECC/Bologna process. This cross-sector initiative represents a major step toward establishing a global ecosystem for credit recognition of online learning and industry micro-credentials.

In a competitive labor market, universities and employers are increasingly using online learning to bridge skills gaps for graduates. However, varying national systems can hinder qualification recognition, posing challenges for governments and institutions seeking consistent credit recognition for non-traditional credentials, online learning, or mobility periods abroad.

"The recognition of ECTS credits for industry micro-credentials makes it easier for universities to offer ‘career electives’ that count as credit towards a college degree and prepare students for jobs when they graduate,” said Jeff Maggioncalda, Coursera CEO. “Higher education must collaborate with industry to meet the rapidly changing needs of employers and students, and industry micro-credentials with ECTS credits are a simple and easy way to do that.”

“Industry micro-credentials offer individuals of varied backgrounds a clear path to future career readiness, and FIBAA certification provides certainty to stakeholders that each Professional Certificate is a quality-assured education and training programme,” said Diane Freiberger, FIBAA Managing Director. “This certification simplifies credit recognition for higher education institutions, increases employer trust in the skills of applicants, and reassures learners that their educational investment will be recognized.”

ECTS certifications by FIBAA help learners earn academic credit for courses completed outside of academic institutions by evaluating the quality and creditworthiness of non-traditional content. Entry-level Professional Certificates on Coursera, designed by leading global companies to prepare students without prior work experience for in-demand digital jobs in fields such as data science, cybersecurity, and UX design, have been certified by FIBAA and are recommended for recognition of the following ECTS credits: