Why We Are Using Blockchain for Digital Credentialing

• 12/12/19

Putting Blockchain on the ECPI Map

Adopting an innovative technology requires time, planning and testing. At ECPI, we decided on a pilot program and rolled out digital credentials in phases. The first phase consisted of issuing digital degrees to employees who were also ECPI graduates. At the same time, we let students in the upcoming graduating class know that they would be receiving digital diplomas in addition to their pieces of parchment. We made sure to explain to students how the Blockcerts worked, as well as the benefits of having control over their own academic records.

We also needed to educate faculty, staff and campus leadership on the changes. In a mass hands-on exercise, all attendees at the annual faculty conference were asked to install the Blockcerts app on their mobile devices. At the conclusion of the conference, all attendees were able to access a digital certificate of completion that they could download or share with anyone.

Our pilot class of students received their Blockcerts enthusiastically, and with the appreciation that they now had full control over their own credentials. In general, they found the experience to be positive and straightforward and were excited by the use of this innovative technology. At a time when people are paying bills, making purchases and managing their lives on their phones, having their college diplomas accessible in this fashion seemed natural.

Looking Ahead

At ECPI, we're envisioning a time not too far in the future when many more institutions will adopt blockchain technology, not just for the cost-saving benefits to the school, but for the security and protection of students and employers. We are already working with leading corporate institutions that employ ECPI graduates, such as Texas Instruments, Raytheon and others, to enable degree verification and eliminate résumé fraud. We can provide an immediate, straightforward way for employers to eliminate background fraud and streamline degree verification.

Blockcerts can be used for any academic credential, and we're now moving into our next phase where we'll be adding transcripts, badges and other certifications to our students' digital credentials with the help of CampusNexus Student. With that step, we'll be able to give ECPI graduates a complete record of their academic achievements that's theirs to share and distribute as they see fit via the blockchain URL.  

Ultimately, our use of blockchain greatly enhances the portability of ECPI academic credentials while increasing their veracity. We certainly anticipate that this technology will give ECPI students a leg up in competitive job situations where potential employers can receive instant verification of an applicant's credentials. We also foresee this technology one day moving into the high school realm, where students will be able to easily share academic records with universities – making it a self-service process.

In the end, blockchain has helped create a win-win scenario for our institution's constituents. Our students now retain proof of and control over their achievements indefinitely. And employers benefit from a process that allows them to quickly and easily verify educational histories on a résumé.