--- schema_version: "1" id: 5ac132a9d6a483be1675f317012958801aad26296569f554a9779e5544efa33e title: Model Certifications and Credentials collection: admin version: current locale: en-us portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/sfdo/264-0-0/eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.md canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 source_site: help.salesforce.com content_type: documentation content_hash: f165b79fbd05f5397cb374255bfc099703714f08855cc3644edf178054db958d description: Keep track of an individual's achievements using the Academic Certification and Credential objects. products: - Education release: "264" --- # Model Certifications and Credentials Keep track of an individual's achievements using the Academic Certification and Credential objects. - **[Model Certifications and Credentials](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)** A student's GPA or a list of courses they took aren't the only ways to measure success. Most institutions want to see a broader and more comprehensive picture of each student. What did they achieve outside of the classroom, as well as in it? Were they recognized in other ways beyond a report card? Keeping track of similar information for faculty and employees is also a priority for most institutions. What licenses does an individual need to maintain for accreditation? What other certifications do my staff hold? You can track all of this information using the Academic Certification and Credential objects. - **[Academic Certifications Versus Credentials](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)** First, let's go over the differences between Academic Certification and Credential. - **[Track a Contact's Achievements](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)** You can use the Academic Certification and Credential objects with the Educational History and Program Enrollment objects to get a complete understanding of a student's achievements. You can see that the student earned a degree from a specific institution by completing a program of study. - **[See Achievements on the Contact Record](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)** Looking in the Education History section of Shay's Contact record, we can see the diplomas and degrees that he previously earned. Each Educational History record lists a certification that was earned from an educational institution. - **[Add Credentialing Identifier Field to Account and Contact Objects](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.eda_model_certifications_and_credentials.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)** Some credentials have an International Resource Identifier that uniquely identifies the credential. You can create a custom field for Credentialing Identifier and add it to the Account and Contact page layouts. ## Model Certifications and Credentials A student's GPA or a list of courses they took aren't the only ways to measure success. Most institutions want to see a broader and more comprehensive picture of each student. What did they achieve outside of the classroom, as well as in it? Were they recognized in other ways beyond a report card? Keeping track of similar information for faculty and employees is also a priority for most institutions. What licenses does an individual need to maintain for accreditation? What other certifications do my staff hold? You can track all of this information using the Academic Certification and Credential objects. ## Academic Certifications Versus Credentials First, let's go over the differences between Academic Certification and Credential. Academic Certification Represents a diploma, degree, or academic certificate that a student has earned. These records are associated with a Contact's Education History record. Here are some examples of certifications. - A high school diploma from Trailblazer Academy - A B.A. in Music from Connected University - A certificate acknowledging completion of a teacher training program Credential Represents an industry or organizational achievement. It’s a one-and-done certification that has no parts to it. Credentials can be a badge, a non-credit certification, or a license. These records are associated with a Contact’s Attribute record. Here are some examples of credentials. - A badge issued by your institution for a specific achievement - A teaching certificate issued by a state - A bus driver's Commercial Driver's License (CDL) ## Track a Contact's Achievements You can use the Academic Certification and Credential objects with the Educational History and Program Enrollment objects to get a complete understanding of a student's achievements. You can see that the student earned a degree from a specific institution by completing a program of study. For example, Shay West earned a Bachelor's Degree from Connected University in Biology. Here's how these different objects work together to create a complete story of Shay's achievements. - Shay West is a Contact. - Connected University is an Account with the Educational Institution record type. - Bachelor's Degree is an Academic Certification with the Degree record type. - B.S. in Biology is a Program Enrollment with the Academic Program record type. ![Objects showing student achievement](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-education_data_architecture-264-0-0-production-enus/6bcf23e4-1d0f-4cd5-8405-b8e231f03ed0/resources-product/images/achievement_objects.png) ## See Achievements on the Contact Record Looking in the Education History section of Shay's Contact record, we can see the diplomas and degrees that he previously earned. Each Educational History record lists a certification that was earned from an educational institution. Likewise, in the Attributes section of Shay's Contact record, we can see other Credentials, such as badges, certifications, and licenses. Each Attribute record lists a credential that was earned from an educational institution. ![Shay's contact record with Education History, Academic Certification, Attribute and Credential.](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-education_data_architecture-264-0-0-production-enus/6bcf23e4-1d0f-4cd5-8405-b8e231f03ed0/resources-product/images/contact_achievements.png) ## Add Credentialing Identifier Field to Account and Contact Objects Some credentials have an International Resource Identifier that uniquely identifies the credential. You can create a custom field for Credentialing Identifier and add it to the Account and Contact page layouts. To add Credentialing Identifier to your page layouts: 1. Click ![Setup](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-education_data_architecture-264-0-0-production-enus/6bcf23e4-1d0f-4cd5-8405-b8e231f03ed0/resources-product/images/setup.png), then click **Setup**. 2. Click the **Object Manager** tab. 3. Click the object that you want to add Credentialing Identifier to. 4. Click **Fields & Relationships**, and then click **New**. 5. Click **Text**, and then click **Next**. 6. In the Field Label field, enter Credentialing Identifier. 7. In the Length field, enter 255. 8. In the Field Name field, enter Credentialing\_Identifer. 9. In the Description and Help Text fields, enter An International Resource Identifier that uniquely identifies an Account for credentialing purposes. 10. Check the **Do not allow duplicate values** box. 11. Make sure **Treat "ABC" and "abc" as duplicate values (case insensitive)** is selected. 12. Check the **Set this field as the unique record identifier from an external system** box and click **Next**. 13. Select the profiles that you want to add Credentialing Identifier to and click **Next**. 14. Select the page layouts that you want Credentialing Identifier to be on and click **Save**.