Now that the idea that getting a college degree is the key to prosperity has faded like a week-old bouquet of flowers, students are considering alternatives, including “microcredentials,” which are educational programs leading to certifiable skills.

In today’s Martin Center article, Sophia Damian looks at a recent study on microcredentials. As one would expect, their value seems to vary greatly. She writes: “The study authors posit that ‘short-term credentials are worthwhile if they also lead to jobs that pay a premium above the high school diploma.’” Sometimes they do, for example in Information Technology.

As with all other educational undertakings, the student should proceed cautiously — caveat emptor.