MyCreds™ | MesCertif™

MyCreds logo

The University of Alberta is partnering with MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ , powered by Digitary, a leading digital credential expert and platform for certifying, sharing, and verifying academic credentials. MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ is owned by the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC). It is a national credential wallet for post-secondary learners that has been created by Canadian higher education leadership.

The wallet provides you with access to view and share your digitized and portable post-secondary transcripts and credentials anytime, anywhere. Documents issued through the network are authentic, tamper-evident, and legally valid. 

How does the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ network work?
University of Alberta Learners Employers/Third Parties
  • Provision documents
  • Digitally certify the digital documents
  • Provide login to document owners
  • Can revoke or update the documents
  • Can view the documents with successful login/authentication
  • Cannot upload documents
  • Cannot alter documents
  • Can determine who documents are shared with and for how long
  • Can view shared documents
  • Can verify the documents
  • Can download and save the documents
  • Cannot alter or upload the documents

MyCreds™ Document Availability

Digital degree parchment (for future convocating students)
Parchments for students convocating in the spring will be available in July.
Official transcript (e-Transcript)

Issued on-demand

e-Transcripts are not available to: 

  • Students who attended post-secondary studies at the University of Alberta prior to 1980.
  • Students who attended Augustana University College prior to September 2006.
  • Students who attended Camrose Lutheran College.
  • Students seeking a Continuing Education transcript.
Microcredentials (Digital Badges)
Badges issued automatically upon completion of an eligible microcredential.
Enrolment Verification documents (called Confirmation of Enrolment in MyCreds™)
The ​enrolment verification document ​for current undergraduate and graduate students verifies enrolment in a program and enrolment status for up to two terms based on course enrolment in Bear Tracks.
Degree Verification documents (called Confirmation of Degree/Credentials in MyCreds™)
The degree/credentials verification document for undergraduate and graduate students verifies completion of degree/credentials.
Offer of Admission letter

Students applying to the University of Alberta for Spring/Summer 2022 and Fall 2022:

  • Offer of admission letter is available in Launchpad. 
  • Students will be able to access their admission letter in Launchpad until the Winter term add/delete deadline of the academic year in which they were admitted.

International students admitted to the University of Alberta for Fall 2020 and Fall 2021:

  • Offer of Admission letter is available in MyCreds™ starting February 28, 2022.

International students admitted to the University of Alberta for Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 and Winter 2022:

  • Offer of Admission letter can be requested through the Student Service Centre until September 2022.   
  • Starting in September 2022, Offer of Admission letter will be available in MyCreds™. 
  • Effective October 1, 2022, students can only access their Offer of Admission in  MyCreds™ (and not through the Student Service Centre).

International students admitted between Fall 2015 and Fall 2019:

  • Offer of Admission letter is available in Bear Tracks. Note: If your faculty issued the letter, you need to reach out to them for your Offer of Admission letter.
MyCreds™ Document Costs
Document Fee Share Period
Digital degree parchment Free Lifetime access
Official e-Transcript (current students) $6 Pay per share
Official e-Transcript (former students or alumni) $12 Pay per share
Offer of Admission letter (international students) $6 Pay per share
Enrolment Verification (called Confirmation of Enrolment in MyCreds™) $10 Pay to unlock

FAQs

About MyCreds™ | MesCertif™

What is MyCreds™ | MesCertif™?

MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ is owned by the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC). It is a national credential wallet for post-secondary learners that has been created by Canadian higher education leadership. It represents an example of how ARUCC and Canadian colleges, institutes, and universities are committed to ensuring official and secure document exchange and adhering to the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) principles, which emphasize, “Citizens worldwide should be able to consult and share their authentic educational data with whomever they want, whenever they want, wherever.” ARUCC became a signatory to the GDN principles in 2015 and the U of A became a signatory in 2019.

Why did the U of A join the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ network?
There are many benefits to students and graduates. Not only does an individual have stronger control over who their documents are shared with, documents issued through the network are authentic, tamper-evident, and legally valid. Additionally, using the network will speed up the time it takes to process requests. Once issued, individuals will have 24/7 access to their documents.
How do I know my documents are secure and my privacy is protected?

Credential fraud has become a significant issue for employers, higher education institutions, government authorities, and others who need to validate the documents they receive. Through digitized credentials, the issuing institution cryptographically signs all documents to prevent tampering. Once a student authorizes the release of their information, MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ shares it with them through the secure, trusted network, eliminating third parties. Unlike paper, digital transcripts are secure, tamper-evident, and efficient.

How will the receiver of my document know the document is authentic?

All certified documents carry a digital signature that meets the legal standards set by the European Union for authentic electronic documents, which meets and exceeds requirements in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

An authentic document will always have a blue-ribbon symbol that validates the document has not been altered after it has been downloaded. If a document has been altered or if the digital signature is not authentic, a symbol with a red cross will signify the document is not valid.

How do I register for the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ network?
When you are issued a digital degree parchment on the day of your convocation and/or when you request a document through Bear Tracks or the Transcript Request Form (for current or former students without access to Bear Tracks), specific information on how to access your documents and how to join the network will be sent to you when your document is issued.
Where can I find more information about MyCreds™ | MesCertif™?
  1. Visit the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ website for Learner FAQs
  2. Watch the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ How-To Videos.
  3. View the infographic.

Logging in to the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ portal

How do I log in to the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ Learner Portal?

If you have the email notification you received from MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ when the document was issued,  follow the link in the email notification and log in with your U of A username and password.

If you no longer have the email notification you received from MyCreds™, navigate to the MyCreds™ Education Provider sign in page and select University of Alberta from the Institution drop down menu, then log in with your U of A username and password.

All MyCreds™ notifications for current students will be sent to your U of A email address.

I am a former student and no longer have an active U of A email account or access to Bear Tracks. How do I request a digital degree parchment or e-Transcript?

Digital degree parchments will be issued to graduating students on the day of their convocation. We are not currently issuing digital degree parchments to students who graduated prior to June 2021.

For instructions on how to request an e-Transcript, visit How to Request an Official U of A Transcript.

How do MyCreds™payments work?

How do I view my new or updated “pay to share” document?
When you sign in to your MyCreds™️ portal, you will be presented with a list of all your documents. Click on the document you would like to open. If this is your first time opening a new document or updated document, you may see a Payment required notice. You must have at least one share credit associated with your document to view your document. If you see the Payment required notice, you must purchase at least one share credit. After at least one share credit is purchased, you can open and view your document at any time until it is updated, even after you use the share credit.
Does opening my document use up my share credit?
No, opening your document to view it does not use up your share credit. Your share credit will stay in your account until you decide to share your document by clicking the blue “Share” button. Viewing does not consume a share credit.
Do I have to purchase a share credit every time I want to view my document?
No, you must purchase at least one share credit the very first time you want to view your document or when the document is updated and you have no share credits associated with the document (ie. zero share credit balance).
Will I still be able to view my document after I use up its share credits?
Yes, if your document has not been updated with new information. If your document has been updated with new information, you will need to purchase at least one share credit to view and share it.
Why can I still view some of my documents without purchasing share credits?
After February 28, 2022, only documents newly added or updated to your MyCreds™️ account will require the document to have a share credit associated with it before you can view and share it. You can continue to view and share previously issued documents that have not been updated or new documents with a non-zero share credit balance.
Why do I need to include my address on the payment form?
All purchases made within MyCreds™ will require your residential address and your billing address associated with your payment card to meet Canada Revenue Agency requirements. Your billing address postal code must match the postal code associated with your bank’s payment card, otherwise your payment will be rejected.

e-Transcripts

What are the benefits of e-Transcripts?

Not only does MyCreds™ provide you with fast and easy access to your certified and official electronic transcript (e-Transcript), but you can also share your transcripts securely with educational institutions, employers, government offices and others.

Benefits for current students: 

  • Generate your official transcript for sharing in no more than one hour. 
  • Get your Official Transcript sent anywhere that has an email.
  • It’s secure. We do not send your transcript through email.
  • It’s certified.
  • At $6 per share is less than courier charges in Canada, the US and internationally.
  • It’s faster than regular mail service.

Benefits for former students and alumni: 

  • Generate your official transcript for sharing in no more than one hour if you have retained your Bear Tracks access. 
  • If you don’t have access to Bear Tracks, you can submit your request through the Transcript Request Form and we will process it within one business day.  
  • Get your official transcript sent anywhere that has an email.
  • It’s secure. We do not send your transcript through email.
  • It’s certified.
  • At $12 per share is less than courier charges in Canada, the US and internationally.
  • It’s faster than our courier service and our regular mail service; whether you have access to Bear Tracks or not.
How long does it take from the time I complete my order to when I can share my e-Transcript through the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ platform?

Current undergraduate or graduate students with access to Bear Tracks

e-Transcript orders are processed and transmitted from the U of A to MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ hourly (except on Saturdays).

Former undergraduate or graduate students without access to Bear Tracks

e-Transcript orders are processed and transmitted from the U of A to MyCreds™ | MesCertif™ up to 5 business days.

*e-Transcripts are not available to undergraduate or graduate students who attended the University of Alberta prior to 1980, Camrose Lutheran College, or Augustana University College prior to 2006.

How do I share a copy of my e-transcript with a third-party recipient?

From the portal, you can share your e-Transcript with a recipient by clicking “Share” and entering the recipient’s email address. The recipient will receive an email notification from MyCreds™ including your name and indicating you have shared a document with them. The recipient will click on the link provided in this email notification to view your transcript. The recipient will also be able to download your transcript. Note that you can only share your e-Transcript with a number of recipients equal to the amount of Share Credits you purchase when ordering.

You have full control over how your document is shared - you can designate recipients, specify how long they can access your document or require them to use a PIN that you set. You can also send the document to another post-secondary institution directly through the MyCreds™ platform if the school is registered on the MyCreds™ network.

Offer of Admission letter

What is an Offer of Admission letter?
Your Offer of Admission letter is official correspondence confirming you have been admitted to study at the University of Alberta.
I am applying to attend the University of Alberta. Where do I access my Offer of Admission letter?
You can access your Offer of Admission letter in Launchpad, not through MyCreds™. You will be able to access your admission letter in Launchpad until the Winter term add/delete deadline of the academic year in which you were admitted.
I am an international student on a study permit. Why do I need an Offer of Admission letter?
As per the guidelines set out by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), applicants must provide a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution for study permit extensions and initial study permit applications. Applicants who need to restore their status must also submit an application with their letter of acceptance or proof of enrolment.
Where can I find my Offer of Admission letter if I was admitted prior to Fall 2020?

If you were admitted to the U of A directly from high school, please refer to Bear Tracks to access your letter. If you no longer have access to Bear Tracks or the letter is no longer available there, contact the Student Service Centre for assistance. 

If you were admitted to the U of A as a post-secondary transfer student, you will need to contact your faculty directly for a copy of your letter. 

Is there a cost to access my Offer of Admission letter?
Students applying to the U of A for Spring/Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Winter 2023

Offer of Admission letter is in Launchpad and can be accessed until the Winter term add/delete deadline of the academic year in which the student was admitted.

There is no cost to access the Offer of Admission letter in Launchpad.

International students admitted to the U of A in Fall 2020 and Fall 2021 Between February 2022 and October 2022:

  • Offer of Admission letter is uploaded to a student’s digital credential wallet in MyCreds™. You must purchase at least one share credit ($6) to view your document. After at least one share credit is purchased, you can open and view your document in MyCreds™.
OR

  • Students can request a copy of their Offer of Admission letter at no cost through the Student Service Centre. Wait times will apply
Starting October 1, 2022:

  • The only way to access an Offer of Admission letter will be through MyCreds™.
  • You must purchase at least one share credit ($6) to view your document. After at least one share credit is purchased, you can open and view your document in MyCreds™.
International students admitted to the U of A in Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 and Winter 2022

Between February 2022 and September 2022:

Starting September 2022:

  • Offer of Admission letter only available in MyCreds™. 
  • Students can continue to request their letter through the Student Service Centre or through MyCreds™.
  • You must purchase at least one share credit ($6) to view your document in MyCreds™. After at least one share credit is purchased, you can open and view your document in MyCreds™.

Starting October 1, 2022:

  • You can only access your Offer of Admission in MyCreds™.
  • You must purchase at least one share credit ($6) to view your document in MyCreds™. After at least one share credit is purchased, you can open and view your document in MyCreds™.
International students admitted to the U of A between Fall 2015 and Fall 2019 Offer of Admission letter is available in Bear Tracks at no cost.

Enrolment Verification documents

Why is the University of Alberta using MyCreds™ for my enrolment verification documents?
Our goal is to support you with 24/7 accessible service delivery. When shared through the MyCreds™ Learner Portal, enrolment verification documents are authentic, tamper-evident, and meet the legal requirements of certified digital documents in countries around the world. In addition, the recipient organization, such as the government, a bank, or an employer, can be assured they are receiving official verification of your enrolment status directly from the U of A. In other words, they don't need to further verify your status by contacting us, which increases the speed and efficiency of service for you.
How can I access my enrolment verification documents in MyCreds™?

Starting in March 2022, students will request their enrolment verification document in Bear Tracks, and receive them in MyCreds™ for a fee of $10. Through the “pay to pick up” feature in MyCreds™, students will have access to the document within an hour (except on Saturdays*) and for 150 days following payment. After 150 days, access will expire and students will be required to pay another fee to pick up their document in MyCreds™. 

*Documents requested on Saturday will be processed on Sunday.

When will I have access to request my enrolment verification document in BearTracks?

Your enrolment verification document will be available in Bear Tracks 62 days prior to the start of the applicable term, whether you are registered in one or both linked terms. You may continue to access it for 120 days following the term’s official end date.

  • Your document for the upcoming Fall/Winter term will be available to request in early July and will be available to request until the following August
  • Your document for the upcoming Spring/Summer term will be available to request in early March and will be available to request until the following December.
Why is there a cost to pick up my enrolment verification documents in MyCreds™?
There are a few important reasons, including that the cost of generating an enrolment verification document is not covered by Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees (MNIF). To reach the $10 charge, we reviewed the amount of work involved and ensured we balanced this against fee rates being charged by other post-secondary institutions for fulfilling Enrolment Verification document requests. Priority was given to ensuring the fee was kept as low as possible, recognizing the need to cover the cost of preparing the document and leveraging a more secure and accessible delivery mechanism, MyCreds™. This fee is on par or less than what other post-secondary institutions across the country and in Alberta are charging.
What if I need enrolment verification for past academic terms?
The enrolment verification document, for current undergraduate and graduate students, verifies enrolment in a program, and enrolment status for up to two terms based on course enrolment in Bear Tracks. In exceptional circumstances, or if enrolment verification is required for past academic terms, the Student Service Centre will be able to provide students with support in accessing these documents.
I have accommodations to take an adjusted course load while still being considered a full-time student. Where should I request enrolment verification documents?
If you are registered for academic accommodations through the Academic Success Centre to take an adjusted course load while still being considered a full-time student, please Do NOT submit a request through Bear Tracks. Contact the Student Service Centre for assistance.
I am an international student and require a Verification of Enrolment document for my study permit application or to visit my home country. Do I need to request the Verification of Enrolment through MyCreds™?
International students who require enrolment verification documents for their study permit applications or to visit their home countries will be expected to receive them through MyCreds™.  In exceptional circumstances, or if an enrolment verification document is required for past academic terms, the Student Service Centre will be able to provide students with support in accessing these documents.
What is considered a complete Verification of Enrolment document?

Students can request a complete Verification of Enrolment as long as they are registered in classes full-time for both the Fall and Winter semesters, which generally means a minimum of three classes or nine credits per semester for undergraduate students. 

If you are registered for academic accommodations through the Academic Success Centre to take an adjusted course load while still being considered a full-time student, please Do NOT submit a request through Bear Tracks. Contact the Student Service Centre for assistance.

I have generated an incomplete Verification of Enrolment document and have paid to pick up my document in MyCreds™. Will I need to pay the fee again to generate a new document?
If you put in another request for a Verification of Enrolment document within 150 days through Bear Tracks, it will be updated and you don’t need to pay an additional $10 fee to pick up the document in MyCreds™. Refunds will not be issued for documents that do not have all the necessary information.

Verification of Degree/Credential Documents

Why is the University of Alberta using MyCreds™ for my confirmation of degree/credentials?
Our goal is to support you with 24/7 accessible service delivery. When shared through the MyCreds™ Learner Portal, enrolment verification documents are authentic, tamper-evident, and meet the legal requirements of certified digital documents in countries around the world. In addition, the recipient organization, such as the government, a bank, or an employer, can be assured they are receiving official verification of your completion status directly from the U of A. In other words, they don't need to further verify your status by contacting us, which increases the speed and efficiency of service for you.
How can I access my confirmation of degree/credentials documents in MyCreds™?

Starting July 8, 2023, you will request your degree/credentials verification document in Bear Tracks, and receive them in MyCreds™ for a fee of $10. Through the “pay to pick up” feature in MyCreds™, you will have access to the document within an hour (except on Saturdays*) and for as long as needed thereafter.

You will receive an option to pick whether you want your most recent degree/credential or all degrees/credentials. A $10 fee will apply to each type of document. Upon selection of either of these documents, and payment, you can share it as often as you like with no expiry date. If after choosing one of these documents you want the other, you will need to pay the $10 fee; after which it also will not have an expiry date and you can share it as often as you like.

If you receive a new degree/credential and want either document to confirm it, you will be required to pay the $10 fee in order to generate an updated document.

*Documents requested on Saturday will be processed on Sunday.

When will I have access to request my degree/credential verification in BearTracks?

Your degree/credential verification document will be available in Bear Tracks once the degree/credential is awarded (for degrees it will be at the commencement of convocation). You may continue to access it as long and as many times as you need as there is no expiry.

If your most recent degree/credential has not been awarded at time of making the request, you will receive a message stating it cannot be processed as the degree/credential has not yet been awarded. If you attempt to request a degree/credential verification without a degree/credential on your record, you will receive an error message stating your request cannot be processed as there is no degree/credential awarded on your record.

Is there a limit on how many times I can share my degree/credential verification documents in MyCreds™ without being charged another fee?

There is no limit on the number of shares. See “How can I access my confirmation of degree/credentials documents in MyCreds™?” for further information.

Why is there a cost to pick up my degree/credential verification documents in MyCreds™?

There are a few important reasons, including that the cost of generating a degree/credential verification document is not covered by Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees (MNIF). To reach the $10 charge, we reviewed the amount of work involved and found it to be on par with Verification of Enrolments. Priority was given to ensuring the fee was kept as low as possible, recognizing the need to cover the cost of preparing the document and leveraging a more secure and accessible delivery mechanism, MyCreds™. 

What if I need confirmation of previously received degrees/credentials?
You will be presented with two options in MyCreds™, to print the most recent degree/credential or all your degrees/credentials.
I am an international student and require verification of my degree/credential. Do I need to request verification of my degree/credential through MyCreds™?
International students who require degree/credential verification documents will be expected to receive them through MyCreds™.

Microcredentials and Badging

What are microcredentials?
A microcredential is a non-degree certification of successful completion of a more compact, formal learning experience focused on developing specific competencies endorsed by industry standards or recognized as meeting the needs of employers, industry, or the community. Microcredential courses may be completed as stand-alone units or, in some instances, be stacked together to fulfill the requirements of a series, a certificate, or other types of credentials. At the University of Alberta, the completion of a microcredential may be certified by a digital badge which provides detailed, secure, and verifiable information about the competencies acquired.
What are digital badges?
When you successfully complete a microcredential at the University of Alberta, you’ll receive a digital badge to display on your resume, share with your employer, and more. A digital badge is an icon that is embedded with information about your learning achievement, including notes on course content, assessment activities, completion criteria, and competencies acquired. It provides detailed, secure, and verifiable information that allows you to document and easily share your professional development and learning pathways. Digital badges at the University of Alberta are issued through MyCreds™ | MesCertif™, a national credential wallet for post-secondary learners.
Are badges the same as digital credentials?
All badges are digital credentials—but not all digital credentials are badges. Digital credentials go beyond badges and also encompass digital versions of well-established documents such as official university transcripts and degree parchments. The University of Alberta is currently transitioning into making those and other documents available through a national credential wallet for post-secondary learners.
Do I have to request the digital badge after I complete my course?
There are no actions required to request a badge, as they are sent automatically to your University of Alberta email after you have completed an eligible course or finished a series. As a student who does not have an existing account with MyCreds, you’ll receive an email notifying you that a new badge has been issued, with instructions on how to activate your account and access the MyCreds Learner Portal. Badges are not issued immediately after the course end date; please allow at least one month before inquiring about a badge you’ve been waiting for.

Receiving institutions

How do I ensure the authenticity of a document shared through MyCreds™ | MesCertif™?

Documents are official only when bearing the Blue Ribbon Symbol and a valid digital certification issued by GlobalSign CA for Adobe. 

A document is only considered official and is a trusted document if a recipient receives it in an email sent by MyCreds™ | MesCertif™. The URL should start with https://learner.mycreds.ca

A transcript routed to a recipient from an individual personal email is not official. 

When you view the document through the MyCreds™ | MesCertif™, you should see that:

  1. Document status says Available.
  2. The document has the Certified blue ribbon symbol.
  3. You can view the certificate information.
What do I do if I see a document is not valid?
If a document has been revoked, or the share has expired or been disabled by the student, you will see a document verification failure message when you access the link.
Where do I find more information about verifying documents issued through MyCreds™?
Please see the MyCreds™ Verifier FAQs.