Digital Badges

Digital badges help you acquire industry-aligned skills quickly, and all badge courses apply to a master’s degree at the College of Professional Studies.

Our Badges

The College of Professional Studies offers the following badges:

Communication Management

DU Badge wide

Data-Driven Storytelling

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4324	Marketing Analytics
COMM 4905	Storytelling through Research and Measurement

Description

Earners of the Data-Driven Storytelling badge navigate the complex landscape of marketing analytics, make informed decisions, optimize marketing strategies, and effectively communicate performance. They craft persuasive, data-driven stories that resonate with stakeholders and demonstrate ROI. They track and measure behavior, outcomes, and experiences, leveraging data analysis to uncover actionable insights and formulate strategies that drive business growth. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

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Search and Mobile Marketing

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4325	Search Marketing
COMM 4318	Mobile Marketing

Description

Earners of this badge have expertise in understanding the global impact of mobile devices and adopting a mobile-first mindset. They've developed multi-channel mobile marketing strategies for optimal user experiences and mastered search marketing techniques like SEO and PPC. This badge signifies proficiency in overcoming challenges related to search engine algorithms, mobile device usage, and social media, making them skilled at implementing effective search marketing strategies. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

DU Badge wide

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4140	Marketing Strategy and Process
COMM 4301	Brand Management Strategies

Description

Strategic Marketing & Brand Management badge earners formulate and implement sound marketing decisions and apply strategies impacting business performance. They design strategic marketing plans with target market/segmentation, positioning, product lifecycle, promotion strategy, and measurement. They craft comprehensive strategies for enduring brand recognition, resonance, and loyalty, ensuring the alignment of brand vision and marketing tactics while integrating people, processes, and systems. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

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Digital Content Strategy & Optimization

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

COMM 4320	Social Media Strategy
COMM 4321	Integrated Digital Marketing

Description

Digital Content Strategy & Optimization badge earners analyze the digital marketplace, navigate channels, and make strategic decisions to achieve marketing goals. They devise comprehensive strategies with best practices in planning, execution, and measurement to stand out in a crowded digital space. They orchestrate and evaluate diverse digital marketing efforts like social media, SEO/SEM, web, email, etc., fostering a strong online presence and meaningful interactions with target audiences. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

Information Technology

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Cybersecurity Foundations in Application Security

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

ICT 4200	Cybersecurity Essentials
ICT 4695	Application Security

Description

Earners of this badge have demonstrated the integration of sound cybersecurity policies, procedures, and systems, as well as the processes, technology, and people-related aspects of secure software development and operations using a DevSecOps approach. Skills acquired include incorporating secure design principles such as application risk analysis, application lifecycle management, defensive programming, and software supply chain security into the Agile development process. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

DU Badge wide

AI Literacy, Ethics, and Governance

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

ICT 4700	AI Concepts, Capabilities and Tools
ICT 4705	AI Ethics, Policy and Governance

Description

Earners of this badge have working knowledge of AI capabilities, limitations, and practical applications, that they can use to develop strategies and adapt to a changing AI environment. They also have the skills to evaluate ethical and policy considerations that enable them to help influence responsible AI practices. This digital badge is valid for two years from issuance.

DU Badge wide

Cybersecurity Foundations in Database Security

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

ICT 4200	Cybersecurity Essentials
ICT 4430	Database Security

Description

Earners of this badge have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of implementing sound cybersecurity policies, procedures, and systems. They understand different types of threats, strategies to protect an enterprise's data footprint, and how data is protected from multiple perspectives. They have working knowledge of database security concepts including those specific to the Oracle, MySQL, and Microsoft SQL Server RDBMSs systems. This digital badge is valid for five years from issuance.

Human Resources

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Leveraging AI for Strategic HR

Requirements

Complete the following two courses with a grade of A− or above:

ICT 4700	AI Concepts, Capabilities and Tools
HRA 4140	HR as a Strategic Partner

Description

Recipients of this badge possess a working knowledge of AI capabilities, limitations, and practical applications that will help them address opportunities and challenges in the evolving AI landscape in HR. This badge will equip recipients to contribute to the creation of HR strategy, the evaluation of successful HR outcomes, and the development of AI approaches in various functional areas of HR such recruitment, retention, talent development, benefits design, and employee relations. This digital badge is valid for two years from issuance.

What is a badge?

A badge visually represents skills you’ve learned and is also a digital repository of those skills.

Our badges consist of two graduate courses. When you complete requirements for a badge, you receive a digital badge that you can display on your resume and on social media to communicate your professional acumen. You’ll also receive an online link that details and verifies your badge and the skills you learned, including:

Date the badge is issued.
The skills verified by the badge and the requirements for earning the badge.
Whether the badge meets any outside accrediting standards.
Evidence of skills or knowledge earned (example: a report or project completed).

Badge requirements

Courses that apply to the digital badge must be completed within two years of
completing first course.
You must apply for the badge prior to completing both required courses.
When all digital badge requirements are met, you will earn the badge.
Students can earn only one of the three cybersecurity digital badges.

Why a badge?

Badges are unique in that they communicate specific skills you learned, and in doing so can help you stand out and be more marketable to employers. You can share your badge on LinkedIn, on your digital resume, in online job applications, and in electronic portfolios.

Badges are also a quick way to deepen your existing skills, acquire new skills, or explore your interests prior to committing to a master’s degree or graduate certificate.

How much does a badge cost?

Each badge consists of two graduate courses. You may access current graduate tuition here.

How do I earn a badge?

If you are interested in pursuing a badge, contact Jessica Rayman, Associate Director of Enrollment, at 303-871-7457 or Jessica.Rayman@DU.edu or complete the badge request form. If you are a current graduate student at the College of Professional Studies, please contact your academic advisor.