Q: What is a digital badge?

A: Digital badges are web-enabled versions of a credential, certification, or learning outcome which can be verified in real time, online.

Q: Why should I claim my badge?

A: Digital credentials can be carried with you throughout your professional career, and the badges are a great way to start building your collection. They can be added to various platforms, including LinkedIn, for future employers to see.

To learn more about claiming and sharing your badge, watch this helpful video from Credly.

Q: How does my badge get displayed?

A: We have partnered with Credly, an end-to-end solution for issuing and managing digital credentials, to translate the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge, issued and managed through the company’s platform. The technology Credly uses is based on the Open Badge Standards maintained by IMS Global. This enables you to manage, share, and verify your competencies digitally.

Q: What are the benefits of a badge?

A: Representing your skills as a badge gives you a way to share your abilities online in a way that is simple, trusted and can be easily verified in real time. Badges provide concrete evidence of what you had to do to earn your credential and what you’re now capable of.

Q: How will I know if I’ve earned a badge?

A: You will receive an email notification from [email protected] on behalf of the National Student Council with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.

Q: What if I don’t want my badge to be public?

A: You can easily configure your privacy settings in your student profile. You’re in complete control of the information about yourself that is made public.

Q: What’s to keep someone else from copying my badge and using it?

A: While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on Credly’s Platform. This link to verified data makes them more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming your credential and your associated identity.

Q: How do I earn the Distinguished Student Leader badge?

A: In order to earn the Distinguished Student Leader badge, you must have earned the Distinguished Student Leader designation. Learn more about earning this designation here.

Q: I’ve earned the Distinguished Student Leader designation! How can I get my badge?

A: Once you earn the Distinguished Student Leader designation, you will automatically be awarded the accompanying badge. You will receive an e-mail from [email protected] asking you to follow the instructions to accept your badge. Can’t find your email? Just go to www.credly.com/users/sign_up and create an account with the same e-mail address you use for the NatStuCo website. After you confirm your account, you will see your badge, which you can click on and then mark as accepted.

Q: How long will it take to receive my digital badge?

A: After receiving notification that you have earned the Distinguished Student Leader designation, you will receive an email notification from [email protected] within a week. The e-mail will include instructions for setting up your Credly account in order to accept your badge.

Q: Are alumni eligible to earn badges?

A: At this time, only active student members of NatStuCo with verified accounts are able to earn digital badges.