Micro-Credential in Supporting Student Success

Overview

The transition to higher education from the workplace, from secondary school, from further education, or from some other background requires students to be supported in the achievement of both academic readiness and social readiness. Academic readiness requires that students understand their responsibilities as independent learners in a higher education environment and that they are able to engage with the necessary supports, when required, to help achieve their academic potential. Social readiness requires that students develop a sense of belonging and connection to their class group, to their campus and to the wider University community.

This micro-credential provides staff in higher education with the knowledge and skills to help foster an inclusive environment that offers support to all students, considering students' academic and social needs. Participants will engage with the literature and international best practice while also engaging with their students and colleagues to develop their practice in this area. Participants will complete a project culminating in a rigorously developed action plan to enhance their practice.

Details

10 ECTS credits; 24 hours of class time plus peer engagement and independent learning; typically delivered mostly online with some in-person sessions.

Upon successful completion of Supporting Student Success, participants may choose to progress to the "Supporting Student Success in Practice" micro-credential (5 ECTS credits, see bottom of this page for details) through which the action plan developed in the Supporting Student Success micro-credential will be implemented, evaluated and disseminated.

Entry Requirements

Participants must be working in a role in TU Dublin where they can influence student success from an academic and/or social perspective. Participants must have an NFQ Level 8 (or higher) qualification or complete a Recognition of Prior Learning process to demonstrate their capacity to participate in this microcredential.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module the participant will be able to:

Critically explore and evaluate the social, academic, and institutional factors, structures, and practices that shape student success, considering issues such as transitions, engagement, retention, belonging, inclusion, and their impact.
Engage with and apply key theories, frameworks, and insights from research to inform reflective and evidence-based practice toward enhancing student success.
Reflect on their personal and professional experience of supporting student success in a higher education institution.
Investigate evidence-informed practices and resources that support student success across university settings.
Design and justify evidence-informed strategies to enhance student success within higher education contexts.

Assessment

Participants will engage in a three-part project focused on supporting student success in higher education.

First, participants will critically reflect on a chosen theme from the module—such as transitions, belonging, retention, engagement, or support for specific groups—using Brookfield’s Four Lenses to inform their approach.

This will be followed by the development of a practical resource addressing the selected theme.

Finally, participants will produce an action plan outlining how the resource will be implemented, including key prerequisites, resources, timelines, and feedback mechanisms.

Critical and scholarly reflection will underpin the entire process.

Indicative Syllabus

Understanding Student Success

The foundational elements and various dimensions that define student success within higher education, and their underpinning theoretical basis.

Student Transitions and Engagement

Strategies for supporting students as they enter and progress through higher education, along with fostering their active engagement and motivation.

Inclusive Learning Environments

The creation of learning spaces that foster belonging, are culturally responsive, and promote a strong sense of learner identity.

Student Support Systems

The design, implementation, and evaluation of effective models and frameworks for providing comprehensive student support.

Holistic Student Development

Exploring efforts to enhance students' career readiness, personal agency, and the application of educational theories to practical success.

Institutional Context and Professional Growth

The broader institutional factors influencing student outcomes and the importance of ongoing professional reflection and development for educators.

Progressing to Assessment and Feedback in Practice

The Supporting Student Success in Practice micro-credential follows from the Supporting Student Success micro-credential. It cannot be taken prior to the successful completion of the Supporting Student Success, however, it does not need to be taken immediately following the completion of that micro-credential.

In the Supporting Student Success in Practice micro-credential, participants will implement a focused, evidence-informed change in their assessment and feedback practices, critically evaluate its impact and disseminate insights to colleagues.

Acting on the plan developed during the pre-requisite Supporting Student Success microcredential, participants will design an evaluation strategy to assess the impact of their actions, they will then implement the innovation within their action plan and gather insights, feedback, data etc. in tandem.

They will disseminate their findings to a group of five or more colleagues with the intention to influence the the supporting of student success more broadly in their professional environment.

Details: 5 ECTS credits; runs over one semester. Can be taken in any semester, once Supporting Student Success has been successfully completed.