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Skill Accelerator Badges

Boost your career with Skill Accelerator badges at Hood College.

Designed for working professionals, these flexible, graduate-level microcredentials help you build in-demand skills fast. Earned by completing one to two graduate courses with a B or better, badges are awarded digitally through Milestone™ and can be shared on LinkedIn, resumes and online portfolios.

With foundational, intermediate and advanced badge options, you can grow from basic understanding to advanced application. Topics include data analytics, finance, AI, trauma-informed care and more in fields like business, biotech, education and equity.

Open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5+ GPA. Badges are stackable and may count toward future master’s degrees.

Explore details in the catalog →.

Questions? Contact skillaccelerator@hood.edu.

 Apply Now

"Skill Accelerator badges have not only helped me highlight the skills I’ve gained throughout the cybersecurity M.S. program, but also serve as a tangible reflection of my progress."

A photo of Anthony Lombardi wearing a suit and tie.

-Anthony Lombardi, current student 

Belonging

Bioinformatics

Biomedical Science

  • Ethics in Science (BMS 542) | Fall 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online synchronous course

Business

Computing and Information Technology

Education

Environmental Biology

Mathematics

  • Explorations in Geometry (MATH 501) | Online synchronous course
  • Mathematical Modeling for Teaching (MATH 505) | Summer II 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online synchronous course
  • Statistics (MATH 500) | Summer I 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online synchronous course

Wellness

  • Developmental Perspectives in Thanatology (COUN 528) | Fall 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online asynchronous course
  • Historical and Multicultural Perspectives in Thanatology (COUN 529) | Summer II 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online asynchronous course
  • Grief, Mourning and Bereavement (COUN 521) | Summer I 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Fall 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online asynchronous course
  • Principles in Thanatology (COUN 523) | Fall 2025 (Registration opens April 14, 2025, for current students; April 21, 2025, for new students.) | Online asynchronous course

Hood College Employee Training

The applicant should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (although some badges may require a higher GPA). Professionals applying for Skill Accelerator courses should enroll using the non-degree enrollment process. Information about current 2025-26 tuition and fees is available through accounting services.

Based on the applicant’s background, the program director may apply alternative criteria for approving enrollment into the badge course. With appropriate verification of successful completion, a badge may be retroactively awarded, up to one year after completion of the course.

Learn More

What are digital badges?

Digital badges are non-degree credentials that provide focused skills, knowledge and experience.

What are the admission requirements for Skill Accelerator badges?

Anyone with a bachelor’s degree or higher can enroll in a Skill Accelerator badge course. (See Admission Requirements above for more details.)

What are the benefits of earning a Skill Accelerator badge?

Badges are a form of professional development. Current and future employers can easily verify the issuing organization, skills developed and industry standards achieved by earning a badge. Badges enhance a resume by providing additional details regarding the knowledge gained. With various focus areas, the Skill Accelerator badge program is an excellent option for professional development in fields like medicine/healthcare, education, business administration and military/defense.

What is the cost of enrolling in a badge course?

For information about per credit cost of badges, visit our Graduate Tuition and Fees page. Reduced pricing opportunities are available for business and organizational cohorts.

What does a badge look like?

When someone clicks on the badge icon, they will be directed to the Milestone platform to view the badge information. A badge description, criteria for earning the badge and aligned outcomes will be visible, providing the viewer verified insight into your learned skills. View a sample badge here.

How do I access my badge?

Badges are issued through Milestone. If you don’t have a Milestone account, an invitation to set up your free Milestone account will be emailed to you. You will also be given the opportunity to set up your account at the time your badge is awarded. All your earned badges will then be available through Milestone and accessible to you throughout you career, whether you complete future badges or not.

How do I share my badge on LinkedIn?

Earned badges can be accessed through your Milestone account and are available to be posted on your LinkedIn profile. The best way to display your badge is by adding it to the “Certifications” section of your profile for maximum visibility. Simply follow the step-by-step guidelines here.

Headshot for Skill Accelerator Badges Page

 

Marcy Taylor | Skill Accelerator Program Coordinator
Tel:  301-964-4678
Email: mtaylor@hood.edu

Marcy Taylor is managing the launch of Hood College’s new Skill Accelerator badge program, which is designed especially for working professionals seeking to boost their credentials by earning verifiable badges.Recently retired from a long career in aerospace, Taylor is applying her program management skills to launch this exciting program. 

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Taylor came to Frederick, Maryland, to attend Hood College. After earning a B.A. in chemistry (Class of 1981), she settled in Frederick to start her career in the aerospace industry, managing NASA, commercial and development projects that included designing, manufacturing and launching satellites, rocket motor development and the construction of a launch pad in Wallops, Virginia.  She earned her MBA from Hood College (Class of 2000) and is also serving on the College’s Board of Associates.

Melissa DiMercurio

Melissa DiMercurio | Skill Accelerator Program Coordinator

Tel: 301-992-6984
Email: dimercurio@hood.edu 

Melissa DiMercurio is a public relations (PR) and communications specialist with more than a decade of experience working in corporate communications. As a new business owner herself, DiMercurio brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of professional growth, whether navigating demands of an evolving workforce and leading as an employer or entrepreneur. She is the founder of Avanti Communications, a boutique communications consulting firm serving mission-driven businesses, organizations and professionals by amplifying their message through PR. She also leads a coaching program that specifically empowers women entrepreneurs with the tools to confidently market and build sustainable businesses.

Born on Long Island, New York, and later raised in Washington County, Maryland, DiMercurio brings a unique perspective to this role rooted in her local upbringing but shaped by global experiences. She earned her B.A. in public relations and communications from Hofstra University and went on to work at some of the top PR agencies in New York City and Washington, D.C., where she led campaigns for multi-million-dollar brands, nonprofits and public sector organizations across national and international audiences. She is based in Clarksburg, Maryland, and is passionate about using her expertise to support both local institutions and mission-driven clients nationwide.

Connect with Melissa: LinkedIn
 

Christy Graybeal

Graduate Faculty Focus | Christy Graybeal

“I am very enthusiastic and passionate about math. I feel like I get the best of both worlds by helping teachers and instructing students. By working with teachers, I am hopefully impacting their students as well.”

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