The Microcredential Review Board (MRB) will hold five review cycles in Fall 2026. If you are developing a new microcredential proposal or preparing one for review, please plan around the submission deadlines below.

The proposal submission dates are the key dates to remember. Each proposal submitted by a deadline will enter the corresponding MRB review cycle.

Fall 2026 Review Schedule

• FA2026-1
  • Proposal submission deadline: August 28
  • MRB review: August 31–September 18
  • Decision deadline: September 23
• FA2026-2
  • Proposal submission deadline: September 18
  • MRB review: September 21–October 9
  • Decision deadline: October 14
• FA2026-3
  • Proposal submission deadline: October 9
  • MRB review: October 14–November 6
  • Decision deadline: November 11
• FA2026-4
  • Proposal submission deadline: November 6
  • MRB review: November 9–December 4
  • Decision deadline: December 9
• FA2026-5
  • Proposal submission deadline: December 4
  • MRB review: December 7–December 23
  • Decision deadline: January 6, 2027

What does the MRB review?

The MRB is UMBC’s primary governance body for microcredential quality assurance. It reviews formal microcredential proposals to ensure alignment with institutional standards, UMBC’s microcredential taxonomy, and the UMBC Microcredential Evaluation Rubric.

The rubric comprises 12 criteria across six standards: About the Microcredential, Learning Context, Alignment, External Relevance, Stackability, and Rationale. Reviewers provide written feedback and evaluate each applicable criterion as “meets,” “meets with minor revisions,” “does not meet,” or “not applicable.”

A proposal must meet at least 85% of applicable criteria, or be recommended with minor revisions, to be added to the microcredentials portfolio and issued to eligible earners.

Add the MRB Calendar

Want the review dates on your calendar? You can add the MRB calendar to Google Calendar.

More Information

Do you have other questions about the MRB or microcredentials at UMBC? Check us out on the web, review our FAQs, or submit a ticket to contact the DCI team directly.