English and Reading Microcredentials | Montgomery College, Maryland

What’s a Microcredential, and Why Should You Care?

Want to show off your writing and research skills in a way employers and universities will actually notice? Montgomery College’s English and Reading microcredentials are designed to do just that. These digital badges recognize real-world competencies like critical thinking, effective communication, cultural awareness, and digital literacy—skills that are always in demand, no matter your major or career path. Whether you craft a compelling argument, analyze media through a cultural lens, or create a professional document or story, these credentials prove you're more than just college-ready—you’re career-ready.

Available for free to current students and employees, our badges are flexible and accessible, built to support different learning styles. You can earn them through classes, cohort programs, or independent projects. And once you’ve earned one, you can easily share it on your résumé, email signature, or LinkedIn profile—making your skills instantly visible to employers, grad schools, and scholarship committees.

In short? It’s a smart, low-stress way to turn your English and Reading work into career-building power.

Here’s Why Students Love Microcredentials

Demonstrate Your Skills (Without the Full Degree Price Tag)
Want to showcase your abilities without diving into a whole degree program? Micro-credentials let you zoom in on skills that benefit you most.
Total Flexibility
Courses are often self-paced or short-term, so you can level up your skills without rearranging your life.
Boost Your Resume and LinkedIn
Show off your accomplishments! A micro-credential is a great way to demonstrate initiative, skill, and passion for a subject.
Feel Good, Do More
Finishing one feels great—and builds your confidence to keep learning and trying new things.
Meet Like-Minded Learners
You’ll join a network of peers and professionals, which could lead to mentorships, internships, or creative collaborations.
Get Noticed by Employers
These credentials show that you’re proactive and serious about your growth—two things employers love.

Which Microcredentials Can I Earn?

The English and Reading department offers a variety of microcredentials that showcase research and writing skills.

Creative Writing Microcredential: Expressing Innovation Through Storytelling

This micro-credential showcases your ability to think outside the box and communicate your ideas with creativity, clarity, and cultural awareness. Whether you're drafting a short story, marketing pitch, lesson plan, or innovation proposal, this badge proves that you can create engaging content that reflects your unique perspective while respecting global diversity. Employers will recognize your ability to craft compelling narratives, think critically, and communicate across cultural contexts—skills that are essential in today’s global workforce. This credential tells the world, "I have a voice, and I know how to use it to inspire, inform, and connect."

Creative Writing

Level Up with English and Reading Microcredentials

Why Earn a Microcredential?

In today's job market, it's not just about what you know but how you show it. Microcredentials are portable, digital badges that prove you've mastered key skills like communication, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and workplace writing, Employers love people who can:

Think creatively
Communicate clearly
Respect diverse cultures
Write with purpose and impact

This badge tells them: "I've got the skills to lead, create, and connect." Whether you're applying to a job, transferring to a university, or just want to boost your résumé, these badges signal to others: "I've got the skills—and I've got the proof."

How to develop and submit your creative writing sample

Choose Your Project
Pick a writing idea that:
Reflects your interests or career goals
Shows off your creativity
Includes some research or understanding of another culture, belief, or global issue

Show the World What You Can Do—With Your Words.

Not sure where to start?
Choose your writing,

Short stories or poems
Personal essays
A marketing pitch, product idea, or innovation concept
A lesson plan using stories
A reimagined club, course, or activity you'd recommend

Then what?

Create Your Work
Make sure your project:
Is creative and original
Clearly communicates your ideas
Shows cultural awareness or global understanding
Uses good writing, structure, and design (where needed)
Is appropriate for your chosen audience

What will the Microcredential show?

Communication
Critical Thinking
Equity & Inclusion
Digital Literacy

You can include visuals or multimedia if they help express your ideas!

Learn More

Critical Analysis Microcredential: Reading With an Analytical Eye

With this microcredential, you’re not just reading—you’re dissecting, evaluating, and reshaping information to solve problems and spark new ideas. It shows employers you can analyze trends, assess credibility, and make logical, well-reasoned decisions using both traditional and digital tools. Whether you build a media campaign, critique an app, or create a solution for a global issue, this badge proves you're a strategic thinker who can adapt and lead in today’s information-driven world. It signals to employers: “I don’t just consume content - I critique it, improve it, and use it to make smarter decisions.”

Critical Analysis Microcredential

Level up your academic and career game

Reading with an Analytical Eye

Are You a Sharp Thinker? Do you spot patterns, ask good questions, or challenge assumptions? This microcredential proves you can:

Read closely and think critically
Navigate digital tools for research
Break down complex problems
Communicate findings with clarity

Employers love problem-solvers who:

Use logic and evidence to guide decisions
Spot weak arguments and errors
Interpret data and trends
Reflect and adapt

Project Requirements

Choose a project that fits your major, interests, and goals. You'll

Consult your faculty mentor
Design a research-based critical analysis
Use digital tools effectively
Communicate findings clearly

Projects can be written, digital, visual, or a blend.

Some Project Ideas
Writing Focus

Analyze a brand's message
Explore an artist's deeper themes
Propose a solution to a global issue
Review and recommend improvements for a tech product

Digital Focus

Plan a social media campaign
Build a myth-busting wiki
Create a multimedia research explainer
Design a digital guide or toolkit
Repackage content for a new platform

Develop Career-Ready Skills

Critical Thinking

Evaluate arguments
Interpret data
Solve real-world problems

Communication

Explain ideas clearly
Use persuasion effectively

Technology Savvy

Navigate digital tools ethically
Impactful content presentation

Leadership and Teamwork

Motivate others
Think beyond the obvious

Professionalism and Growth

Stay curious
Deliver high-quality work

Show the World You're Ready.

Learn More

Workplace Writing Microcredential: Communicating Like a Pro

This micro-credential demonstrates your ability to write clearly, concisely, and professionally—skills that are vital in nearly every industry. From crafting user-friendly manuals and reports to designing accessible websites and proposals, this badge proves you can deliver polished communication tailored to specific audiences. You’ll also show your tech-savvy side, using visuals, layout, and language to enhance your message. Employers will see this as a sign of someone who gets the job done right the first time—someone who’s reliable, detail-oriented, and ready to contribute from day one. In short: "I speak fluent workplace."

Workplace Writing

Microcredential

You'll Communicate Like a Pro

Mastering workplace writing—also called technical writing—is your backstage pass to success in any field. From engineering to education, healthcare to hospitality, great writing sets you apart. This badge shows you can create professional documents--like reports, manuals, etc.--that are clear, concise, audience-ready, and visually effective.

You'll Choose Your Project

Here are some writIng sample ieas:

Write a workplace proposal
Build a "how-to" guide
Create content for a company's website
Redesign a form or instruction sheet
Design a job aid or training material
Review a tool, app, or process
Write a recommendation report
Build a website

Your Project Should Demonstrate

In a world of emails, reports, and web content, strong writing is the new power skill. So

Communicate ideas clearly and professionally
Revise and edit with purpose
Write for specific readers and platforms
Create reports, manuals, and how-to guides
Use and cite sources
Design visually effective documents

You'll Have Options

You've got two options. pick your path:

Submit a writing sample
Upload up to 5 pages of your best workplace writing—emails, proposals, manuals, reports, etc.

Build a 5-page website
Use a faculty-provided template and tip sheets to create a polished, professional website that shows off your writing and design skills.

Learn More

How Do You Earn a Microcredential?

To earn a microcredential in English or Reading at Montgomery College, you’ll complete a project that showcases your skills in research, writing, or analysis. You can choose from three badge options: Creative Writing, Critical Analysis, or Workplace Writing—each designed to match your interests and career goals.

Here’s how it works:

Pick a badge and review the project guidelines.
Complete your project—this might be a short story, research-based analysis, or professional document/website.
Submit your work using the ENGL/READ Microcredential Formnew window.
A faculty reviewer will assess your project using a clear rubric.
If needed, you can revise and resubmit your work for a second review.

Once approved, you’ll receive a digital badge that you can proudly share on LinkedIn, your résumé, or email signature—proving to employers and educators that you’ve mastered in-demand communication skills.

Don’t wait—apply today and turn what you’ve learned into a powerful résumé boost!

Submit your Writing