Historically, the Idaho State University (ISU) Law Enforcement Program attracted only three to four students each semester who enrolled at ISU without prior connections to law enforcement agencies. Instead, most of the law enforcement participants had already been hired by a local law enforcement agency but needed to complete their Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to continue working, with their agencies covering the costs of their coursework through the WTC. Because of this enrollment process, these students weren’t enrolled as degree-seeking students, so they couldn’t receive ISU credit toward a certificate for their efforts.

To earn a degree, which benefits career advancement, these students previously had to navigate an extensive prior learning assessment process. However, this approach saw little success, with very few applications submitted over the program’s history. The program aimed to find a more effective way to recognize students’ accomplishments while satisfying the requirements for a Basic Technical Certificate (BTC). 

The IDCTE SkillStack® microcredentialing program offered a unique solution to this challenge.

I can use the college credits I earned while [I also] obtain my Idaho POST Certification.

Benjamin Avolio, ISU Law Enforcement student

ISU faculty contacted IDCTE to discuss converting existing coursework into a series of stacked badges. After the university provost, registrar and College of Technology dean granted provisional approval for the process to begin as a pilot, the IDCTE team aligned the badges with the law enforcement curriculum, demonstrating how the activities associated with the badges matched the courses’ learning outcomes. A key challenge was ensuring that students could enroll without incurring extra costs. To address this, the ISU team created a zero-credit course, allowing students to pay an application fee to ISU. After completing the coursework, instructors log achievements in SkillStack® and send a memo of completion to the university registrar to award academic credit. This streamlined process integrated practical training with academic recognition, enabling students to apply for graduation.

“SkillStack® is a neat program. I can use the college credits I earned while [I also] obtain my Idaho POST Certification,” said Benjamin Avolio, a current ISU Law Enforcement student.

Since implementing SkillStack®, the number of BTC recipients in the law enforcement program increased dramatically, from 15 over five years to 38 in the first year. More importantly, law enforcement agencies have expressed strong support for the program, encouraging their officers to participate to enhance career prospects.

By sharing this successful model, ISU aims to improve law enforcement training across Idaho and foster cooperation among educational institutions, with the College of Western Idaho and CSI expressing interest in adopting SkillStack® for their programs. Overall, the SkillStack® microcredentialing program at ISU represents a significant shift in law enforcement education, enhancing the educational experience for students and contributing to more effective training in the state. This innovative approach sets a precedent for similar initiatives in other programs and institutions.