PhD Progression Guides and FAQs
Explore the resources below to get acquainted with PhD Progression and answer any questions you may have.
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a validated indicator of an achievement or skill. Digital badges are gaining popularity with many employers and educational institutions as markers of professional training and development completed outside of traditional learning environments. These badges contain metadata describing the specific tasks completed to earn that badge. In addition, they can be shared on social media platforms like LinkedIn and X (Twitter) to show potential employers that you have invested time and energy in increasing your marketability.
What is a micro-credential?
A digital badge is a type of micro-credential. Micro-credentials are like competency-based mini-courses or certifications in certain topics, typically offered outside traditional curricular structures or learning environments. Micro-credentials are offered by verifiable issuers, like Boston University, and are grounded in research and best practices in educational technology.
I don’t want to subscribe to an entire pathway. Can I just complete individual badges?
Yes! We’ve designed PhD Progression to be a choose your own adventure type of program. While we created the pathways to give guidance on the trajectory of learning we would recommend, feel free to complete individual badges at any time.
I finished a badge and completed the Qualtrics Completion Survey, but it’s not showing up in Badgr. Did I miss something?
It can take 3-5 days for our team to review your submissions in Qualtrics and award badges. If it has been more than a week since you completed a badge and it has still not been awarded, please email us at gradpd@bu.edu.
I’ve already completed the requirements for a badge through another program. Can I get credit for that?
If you believe you have done work equivalent to one of our badges and would like to earn a badge as a marker of that achievement, please fill out the form on the Badging Appeals page, located in the menu.
I found a broken link. What should I do?
If you’ve found a broken link or are experiencing other issues with a badge, please let us know using the PhD Progression feedback form linked at the bottom of this page or email us at gradpd@bu.edu.
If you have questions regarding the Badgr platform once you have set up your account, please consult the BadgrPro Pathways FAQ and User Guide.
Once you’ve subscribed to a pathway, check out this Quick Guide to help you get started. You can also watch the video below for an overview of how to sign up.
If you have feedback or suggestions regarding PhD Progression, please fill out this form. You can also reach out to us directly at gradpd@bu.edu with any questions.