Continuing Studies

Micro-Credentials

Continuing Studies

Micro-Credentials

Expand Your Toolkit
+ Advance Your Career

Micro-Credentials are short, focused learning options that help you develop skills in high-demand areas. They’re flexible, affordable and designed for learners at every stage of their career or education.

They also give you a clear way to showcase your skills to employers and shine in a competitive market.

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Two Types of Micro-Credentials

You can earn Micro-Credentials in two ways:

Skills Badges

  • Earned by completing an eligible individual course
  • Highlight specific, job-ready expertise you can share with employers or on LinkedIn

Micro-Certificates

  • Earned by completing a short, bundled program of courses
  • Build broad competencies and often include portfolio-ready projects

Why Micro-Credentials Matter

Micro-Credentials let you build practical skills quickly, without committing to a full degree program.

They are designed with industry input, so what you learn is relevant, recognized and immediately applicable.

Not sure where to start?

Book a chat with an Advisor.

Earn Skills Badges


When you successfully complete an individual Micro-Credentials course, you’ll earn a digital Skills Badge. This badge can be shared on your social media (like LinkedIn) to signal your skills to employers, setting you apart from the crowd.

Choose from a roster of industry-informed courses and add sought-after skills to your toolkit.

Teaching + Learning in Art + Design


Education at the intersection of art, design, learning and community

What does it mean to teach art and design? In classrooms of diverse learners, educators balance unique perspectives, experiences and ideas — their students’ and their own.

This workshop offers tools and exercises to spark inquiry-based learning, plan for collaboration, create inspiring environments and document teaching as part of the artistic process. Strengthen your skills as an educator and find new inspiration for the classroom.

Teaching + Learning in Art + Design1 Courses
Course Name Course No. Availability
Teaching + Learning in Art and Design CSED-100 Spring 2026
Web + Digital Design


Make the digital pivot: Create a responsive online presence for your business

In B.C., Web Designers and Interactive Media Developers are high-opportunity occupations. As more businesses move online, demand for skilled digital creators continues to grow.

Build your web and digital design toolkit today. Earn a Skills Badge for each course and create a learning pathway that grows with your career.

Digital Design 4 Courses
Course Name Course No. Availability
Introductory Adobe Photoshop CSSO-100 Spring 2026
Introductory Adobe Illustrator CSSO-101 Spring 2026
Introductory Adobe InDesign CSSO-102 TBA
Adobe CC Essentials CSSO-109 TBA
Web Design 5 Courses
Course Name Course No. Availability
Introductory WordPress CSWD-100 TBA
Introductory Web Design CSWD-101 Spring 2026
Intermediate Web Design CSWD-201 TBA
Introductory JavaScript CSCO-100 TBA
Introductory UX Design CSUX-100 Spring 2026
Creative Technology


Ignite and accelerate your career in Animation, Visual Effects and Game Development

Earn a Skills Badge for each course and create a learning pathway that grows with your career.

  • If you’re new to Creative Tech: Start with Software Essentials to build core skills in industry tools
  • If you already know + use the main tools: Level up with Experience Design, Collaboration and Leadership
  • If you know your creative direction: Look at our Animation, Visual FX and Game Dev courses
Software Essentials13 Courses

Designed for beginners and diverse learners, these introductory courses feature small class sizes. Gain practical knowledge of the most powerful and popular software used in the Creative Technology industry.

With a solid foundation in software essentials, apply your new skills towards animated films, visual effects, and video games. Our other Creative Technology courses are the perfect next step to bring your creative visions to life.

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Course Name Course No. Availability
Introductory Adobe Photoshop CSSO-100 Spring 2026
Introductory Adobe Illustrator CSSO-101 Spring 2026
Introductory Adobe After Effects CSSO-104 Spring 2026
Introductory Unity CSSO-115 Spring 2026
Intro Windows for Optimized Workflow CSSO-010 TBA
Introductory Adobe InDesign CSSO-102 TBA
Introductory Adobe Premiere Pro CSSO-103 TBA
Introductory Maya CSSO-105 TBA
Introductory 3DS Max CSSO-106 TBA
Introductory Blender CSSO-107 TBA
Introductory Houdini CSSO-108 TBA
Adobe CC Essentials CSSO-109 TBA
Introductory Unreal CSSO-116 TBA
Animation5 Courses

Elevate your interest in animation and take your skills to the next level. Whether you’re a self-taught enthusiast or have minimal experience in the field, we’ll guide you through the journey of becoming a skilled animator.

With new technical skills, you’ll be ready to showcase your creativity with a compelling portfolio. Whether you strive to work in the film and TV, advertising, or video game industries, you’ll be able to showcase your abilities with confidence.

Person wearing headphones using a pen tablet to draw storyboards on a screen, with a keyboard, water bottle, and small monitor in the background.
Course Name Course No. Availability
Principles of Animation CSAN-100 Spring 2026
Intro 3D Modeling for Animation (Maya) CSAN-105 Spring 2026
Innovations in Animation CSAN-101 TBA
Intro 3D Modeling + Animation (Blender) CSAN-107 TBA
Introductory 3D Animation (Maya) CSAN-115 TBA
Game Development7 Courses

If you’ve been experimenting with game design and coding, our courses give you the expert industry insights to kick-start a career pivot. Beginner and intermediate learners can hone their skills through courses up-to-date with industry standards.

You’ll be ready to build a portfolio that highlights your technical prowess and creative abilities. Take the next step towards a rewarding career developing indie games, working in a game studio, or even starting your own venture.

Person standing in front of a computer monitor displaying a colorful animated game scene with cats in sweaters and the text 'you win, congrats, meow.'
Course Name Course No. Availability
Industry Intro: Game Development CSGD-102 Spring 2026
Principles of Game Development CSGD-100 TBA
Innovations in Game Development CSGD-101 TBA
Design Thinking for Games CSGD-103 TBA
UX/UI for Games (Unity) CSGD-104 TBA
Intro 2D Game Development (unity) CSGD-115 TBA
Intro 3D Game Development (unity) CSGD-125 TBA
Visual Effects5 Courses

Elevate your interest in VFX to the next level with industry insights and expertise. If you’re looking to refine your existing skills, these courses will help you start breaking into the VFX industry.

You’ll have the technical skills and vision to create a portfolio for your work. Get ready to pursue a fulfilling career working on blockbuster films, creating mind-bending effects for advertisements, or contribute to the world of animation.

Person wearing headphones working on a digital drawing tablet at a desk, with a large monitor in the background displaying a color reference board.
Course Name Course No. Availability
Industry Intro: Visual Effects CSFX-100 Spring 2026
Innovations in Visual Effects CSFX-101 TBA
Introductory Motion Graphics CSFX-102 TBA
Adobe CC for Visual Effects CSFX-110 TBA
Procedural Art With Houdini CSFX-118 TBA
Experience Design5 Courses

Whether you’re an aspiring innovator or a creative professional, Experience Design opens up a world of opportunities. Learn to craft immersive, captivating experiences that bridge technology and user engagement. You’ll gain valuable skills to bring your creative ideas to life.

With confidence using user-centric principles and the latest technology, you’ll embark on an exciting new career path. Whether you want to work in animation, game development or graphic design, you’ll set your work apart in a competitive industry.

Design student at ECU
Course Name Course No. Availability
Introductory UX Design CSUX-100 Spring 2026
Intermediate UX Design CSUX-200 Spring 2026
Introductory UI Design CSUX-101 TBA
Digital Tools for Design Prototyping CSUX-110 TBA
Intermediate UI Design CSUX-201 TBA
Collaboration + Leadership10 Courses

Looking to make the jump from contributor to team leader? Our courses help identify your leadership potential, move up in your organization and start leading your own teams or projects.

Get ready to excel as a leader. Thanks to skills like effective communication, strategic thinking and team management, you can use your leadership potential to make a significant impact in your organization.

Group of students seated at desks with laptops watching a presentation projected on a screen at the front of the classroom.
Course Name Course No. Availability
Portfolio Websites CSPD-100 Spring 2026
Grants, Residencies + Exhibitions CSPD-102 Spring 2026
Interview Prep + Networking Skills CSPD-104 Spring 2026
Financial Practices for Gig Work CSPD-106 Spring 2026
AI & Creativity: Gen Tools + Ethics CSPD-107 Spring 2026
Business Planning for Creative CSPD-105 TBA
Workplace Culture + Community CSPD-200 TBA
Client Relations + Partnership CSPD-203 TBA
Leadership Visioning CSPD-204 TBA
Effective Comm Through Storytelling CSPD-205 TBA

Complete a Micro-Certificate

Our four Micro-Certificates combine focused courses to build core competencies, hands-on projects and portfolio-ready work. At ECU, they fall into two categories: UI Design and UX/UI Design Leadership.

Learn the tools and techniques behind the interfaces we use every day. These programs provide training in visual systems, interaction design and motion, helping you design digital experiences that are clear, engaging and user-focused.

Explore our 4 curated Micro-Certificate programs below.

UI Design


Learn the tools and techniques behind the interfaces we use every day. User Interface (UI) design is about the look and feel of digital products — the buttons, layouts and visual systems people interact with daily. These programs provide hands-on training in visual systems, interaction design and motion, helping you design digital experiences that are clear, engaging and user-focused.

UI Design Foundations

Gain a practical introduction to user interface design. Learn the core principles of visual design, user behaviour and prototyping tools to create intuitive, user-centred interfaces.

UI Visual Design

Take your UI skills further by exploring content design, motion and brand storytelling. Build navigation systems, animations and brand-consistent UI elements to strengthen digital experiences.

UX/UI Design Leadership


These programs are built for experienced designers who want to expand their role, grow their strategic voice and confidently lead. Learn frameworks, tools and mindsets to guide teams, shape design culture and influence organizational strategy.

UX/UI Design Leadership Essentials

Build the skills to manage projects, communicate value to stakeholders and integrate future-facing tools such as generative AI. A toolkit for product designers, freelancers and emerging team leads.

UX/UI Design Visioning + Team Leadership

Step into senior leadership with the strategies and interpersonal tools to lead high-performing teams. Define your leadership philosophy, mentor others and align design culture with business goals.

Reap the Rewards

Creative Technology is among B.C.’s fastest-growing and highest-paying sectors. The creative tech scene in British Columbia (B.C.), including video games, animation, visual effects (VFX) and the up-and-coming extended reality (XR), is a bustling playground for tech enthusiasts.

This rapid growth means that demand is high for qualified candidates, and micro-credentials can help you start or advance a career in creative tech.

Future Skills Grant

Due to the high demand for qualified candidates in these fields, the B.C. government periodically makes substantial tuition assistance available to B.C. residents 19 and older.

*You must apply for funding before you register

Get the Latest Updates

Our Continuing Studies programs are always evolving. Sign up today to be the first in line for new courses and upcoming registration dates.

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