{"id":44548,"date":"2026-04-08T14:17:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/?page_id=44548"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:18:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T18:18:00","slug":"cdp-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/cdp-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"CDP FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1><\/div><\/div>
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Please see our answers to common questions about the RI-NEST Career Development Program below! There is a glossary defining some of the more complex terms at the end of the page.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

General<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is RI-NEST?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Rhode Island Network for Excellence in Science & Technology (RI-NEST) is a four-year initiative that will strengthen research infrastructure and capacity in RI and position the state to develop transdisciplinary, use-inspired research, specifically around the Blue Economy, as well as societal and economic growth into the future.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Who are the partner institutions?<\/span><\/p>\n

The partner institutions for this initiative include University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Brown University, Community College of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, and Rhode Island School of Design. These schools are all primary partners for the RI-NEST initiative.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is the Career Development Program (CDP)?<\/span><\/p>\n

The CDP is a training program that implements transdisciplinary, use-inspired research and practices to foster science, art, design, communication, and leadership skills in undergraduates, graduate students, and early career professionals. Participants will complete modules they are interested in to work towards a CDP badge in a specific competency.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is the cost of participating in the Career Development Program (CDP)?<\/span><\/p>\n

The CDP is a free and asynchronous program open to students and early career professionals in Rhode Island.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What can I learn here?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Career Development Program (CDP) will allow you to explore skillsets outside of your degree to provide a holistic approach to your learning. You are invited to explore topics to build your literacy in areas of art, science, leadership, communication and more.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Structure<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is a competency?<\/span><\/p>\n

A competency is a themed skillset cultivated after completing 2 prerequisite modules and at least 3 modules in a topic area. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What competencies might I gain from participating in the CDP?<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants are encouraged to start by completing the modules in the CDP Core Competencies badge. This will provide core skills in transdisciplinary thinking to support learning in our other topic areas. Each of the other badges is related to a specific competency: Art & Design, Scientific Thinking, Communication & Engagement, Leadership & Career Development, or Social Impact & Use-Inspired Research.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is a module?<\/span><\/p>\n

A module is a 3-hour online course providing introductory education or skills on a specific topic.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is an elective?<\/span><\/p>\n

Electives are modules that students get to choose in working towards a badge. To earn a badge for a specific competency you need to complete multiple elective modules that fall under that competency.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How many modules do I need to complete to earn a badge?<\/span><\/p>\n

You are encouraged to start with the first two modules in the CDP Core Competencies badge, which will provide core skills in transdisciplinary thinking to enhance learning in the other competencies. After that, you can pursue additional badges, which will require at least 3 additional modules.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Will I need to submit coursework?<\/span><\/p>\n

While there are no graded submissions, you can follow along and complete activities that will enhance your learning experience and at the end of every module you will find a quiz that recaps and tests your understanding of the course. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Will I receive a certificate after completing a competency?<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes! A CDP badge is a digital micro-credential that can be listed on your LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your specific skills to recruiters or potential supervisors. You will also be able to download the digital badge to include in your email signature.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Access<\/span><\/h2>\n

How do I sign up for a module?<\/span><\/p>\n

Register for any module on our website with the link provided. You must use a personal Google account email to register. Once you fill out the form, you will be sent the information for how to access the module materials on Google Classroom.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Does it matter which email address I use to sign up?<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes! You will need to use a personal Gmail account to sign up. School-affiliated accounts will not grant access to the program.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Where can I access the modules once I have signed up?<\/span><\/p>\n

You will be able to access the modules on Google Classroom.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How do I receive my badge?<\/span><\/p>\n

Once all the required modules have been completed for a specific badge, you will be invited to complete a form from Credly, our microcredentialing partner, that will allow you to download or link the badge to your LinkedIn profile. <\/span><\/i>PLEASE NOTE:<\/span><\/i> You must accept and fill out the form to be able to access your badge.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Technical <\/span><\/h2>\n

Do the modules need to be completed within a certain time frame?<\/span><\/p>\n

This program is completely asynchronous and you are free to finish the modules at your own pace. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Can I use my phone to complete the program?<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a larger screen like a laptop is recommended to enhance your learning experience but you are welcome to use any device you have at your disposal that can support Google Classroom.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How long does it take to receive confirmation that I have earned a badge once I\u2019ve completed all the necessary modules?<\/span><\/p>\n

Up to a week. After you complete the required number of modules for a given badge, including the final quiz, we will certify your badge within a week. Please reach out to <\/span><\/i>rinestcdp@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> if you have any questions or concerns.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

GLOSSARY<\/span><\/h2>\n

CDP –<\/span> Career Development Program. This is often initialized as CDP and refers to the overall training program open to students and early career professionals across Rhode Island. The program is part of the workforce training efforts of the larger RI-NEST grant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Competencies –<\/span> A competency is a themed skillset that a student develops after completing a set number of prerequisite and elective modules in that topic area. <\/span><\/p>\n

Micro-credential –<\/span> Micro-credentials are short and flexible programs that culminate in a digital badge to provide validated, digital proof of the newly learned skillsets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modules –<\/span> A module is a 3-hour online course providing introductory education or skills on a specific topic.<\/span><\/p>\n

RI-NEST –<\/span> Rhode Island Network for Excellence in Science & Technology (RI-NEST),  a state-wide collaborative research effort funded by the National Science Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transdisciplinary –<\/span> Research that integrates theories and approaches from multiple and different disciplines in order to<\/span>  generate knowledge or develop solutions <\/span><\/a> to scientific and societal challenges holistically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use-Inspired Research –<\/span> Research that  prioritizes building connections among scientists, practitioners and communities in order to investigate the societal and economic issues underpinning scientific investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Please see our answers to common questions about the RI-NEST Career Development Program below! There is a glossary defining some of the more complex terms at the end of the page. General What is RI-NEST? The Rhode Island Network for Excellence in Science & Technology (RI-NEST) is a four-year initiative that will strengthen research infrastructure […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1994,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-44548","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1994"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44548"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44551,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/44548\/revisions\/44551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/rinsfepscor\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}