College, Piece by Piece
Nolan Cottingham, a former In-N-Out Burger employee, enrolled in a debt-free credential program between Maricopa Community Colleges and TSMC to enter Arizona’s semiconductor industry as a process technician. Maricopa’s fast-track, stackable credential programs—including microcredentials, certificates, and associate degrees—are expanding to address student debt concerns and enrollment declines post-pandemic.
Nolan Cottingham worked for six years at In-N-Out Burger, delaying his plans for flight school due to the $80,000 upfront cost of college. Instead, he enrolled in a credential program between Maricopa Community Colleges and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in Tempe, Arizona, which offers hands-on training in semiconductor manufacturing. After completing the six-month apprenticeship, Cottingham now monitors silicon wafers in TSMC’s 1,100-acre facility. The program, a collaboration between Maricopa, TSMC, and Northern Arizona University, provides 19 college credits, a technician certificate, and a journeyman’s license. With one more year of classes, he can earn an associate degree in semiconductor manufacturing—all without student debt. Maricopa’s system offers nearly 100 stackable credentials, including certificates in car-engine repair, bookkeeping, phlebotomy, and applied artificial intelligence. These programs, often completed in one or two semesters, allow students to earn digital badges and gradually build toward associate or bachelor’s degrees. The model aims to provide quick, job-ready skills while reducing financial barriers. Microcredentials, which emerged over a decade ago alongside MOOCs, initially faced low completion rates but are now gaining traction as colleges adapt to enrollment declines. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward flexible, online, and modular learning pathways. Programs like Maricopa’s now serve as a bridge for students hesitant to pursue traditional four-year degrees. Tara Zirkel, director of strategic research at EAB, notes that stackable credentials offer immediate motivation, contrasting with the perceived grind of a four-year degree. These programs align with industry needs, such as Arizona’s growing semiconductor sector, while helping students avoid debt. Since 2021, colleges have increasingly adopted this model to retain students and provide clearer career pathways.
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