What is the Mapademics Skills Library?
The Mapademics Skills Library (MSL) is a comprehensive, standardized taxonomy of 585 career-relevant skills organized across 33 professional domains. Developed specifically for education-to-career alignment, MSL serves as the foundation for all skills extraction, analysis, and reporting in the Mapademics platform.Total Skills: 585 standardized skills Domains: 33 professional and
academic domains ID Format: String-based identifiers (e.g.,
“msl_skill_0001”)
Why MSL Exists
MSL was designed specifically for education-to-career alignment, providing:Education-First Design
- Academic Context: Skills defined in terms relevant to course syllabi and learning outcomes
- Granular Coverage: More detailed skill breakdowns for academic and technical competencies
- Clear Progressions: Skills organized to support competency-based education frameworks
Workforce Alignment
- Employer Relevance: Skills mapped to actual job market requirements and employer demands
- Industry Standards: Aligned with contemporary workforce needs across multiple sectors
- Future-Ready: Regular updates to reflect emerging skills and changing job markets
Platform Integration
- Consistent Analysis: All AI-powered skills extraction uses MSL as the reference framework
- Comparable Data: Skills identified across different courses and jobs are standardized for comparison
- Reporting Foundation: All skills gap analyses and workforce alignment reports use MSL categorizations
MSL Structure
Skill Components
Each skill in the library includes: Skill ID: Unique string identifier (e.g., “msl_skill_0145”)- Used throughout the platform for database references and API calls
- Ensures consistent skill identification across all features
- Uses industry-standard terminology where possible
- Avoids jargon and overly technical language
- 33 total domains covering major career pathways
- Helps organize skills for browsing and filtering
- Practical examples of skill application
- Context for when this skill is relevant
- Helps instructors identify skills in course content
- Provides context for students understanding career applications
Domain Organization
MSL organizes skills into 33 domains spanning: Technical & Engineering- Software Development & Programming
- Data Science & Analytics
- Engineering & Design
- Information Technology & Systems
- Business Analysis & Strategy
- Project Management
- Financial Management
- Marketing & Communications
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Life Sciences & Research
- Environmental Sciences
- Education & Training
- Social Sciences & Services
- Public Administration
- Digital Media & Design
- Creative Arts & Performance
- Communications & Writing
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Communication Skills
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Research & Analysis
How MSL Powers Mapademics
Skills Extraction
When AI analyzes your syllabi or job descriptions, it uses MSL as the reference framework:- Content Analysis: The AI reads your document and understands the skills being taught or required
- MSL Matching: Each identified skill is matched to the appropriate MSL skill definition
- Confidence Scoring: The AI rates how confident it is about each skill identification
- Standardized Results: All identified skills use MSL names and definitions for consistency
Why This Matters: Using a consistent skills library ensures that “Python
Programming” identified in Computer Science courses can be directly compared
with “Python Programming” requirements in job descriptions.
Skills Gap Analysis
MSL enables meaningful comparison between curriculum and workforce needs:- Standardized Comparisons: Program skills and job requirements use the same taxonomy
- Precise Gap Identification: Missing skills are clearly defined, not vague concepts
- Actionable Insights: Faculty know exactly what skills to add or emphasize
- Trend Tracking: Changes in skill coverage can be measured over time
Reporting & Analytics
All platform reports use MSL for consistent analysis:- Program Skills Profiles: Shows which MSL skills are covered across program courses
- Job Market Alignment: Compares program MSL skills against job requirement MSL skills
- Skills Distribution: Visualizes skill coverage across domains and proficiency levels
- Curriculum Optimization: Identifies opportunities to strengthen specific MSL skills
Working with MSL
Browsing Skills
Access the complete MSL taxonomy through the Skills Library browser in the platform:- Navigate to any Add Skills interface in course sections or jobs
- Click “Open Library” to launch the skills browser
- Search by skill name or browse by domain
- Preview skill descriptions and example tasks
- Select skills to add to your content
Understanding Skill Levels
When skills are identified or added, they include proficiency levels on a 1-5 scale:- Level 1: Basic familiarity or awareness
- Level 2: Basic application with guidance
- Level 3: Independent application
- Level 4: Advanced application and analysis
- Level 5: Expert level, can teach others
Both AI-extracted skills and manually added skills use the same 1-5
proficiency scale, ensuring consistent interpretation across all your skills
data.
Custom Skills vs. MSL Skills
While MSL provides 585 standardized skills, organizations can also create custom skills: When to Use MSL Skills- ✅ Standard academic or professional competencies
- ✅ Skills common across multiple institutions or industries
- ✅ When you want comparability with other programs or jobs
- ✅ Institution-specific competencies or learning outcomes
- ✅ Proprietary methodologies or frameworks
- ✅ Emerging skills not yet in MSL (report these to support for consideration)
MSL Updates & Evolution
How Skills Are Added
New skills are added to MSL through:- Industry Research: Analysis of emerging job market trends and employer requirements
- Academic Input: Feedback from educational institutions about curriculum needs
- Platform Usage: Analysis of custom skills frequently created by organizations
- Expert Review: Validation by subject matter experts in relevant domains
Requesting Skill Additions
If you identify skills missing from MSL that would benefit the broader platform:- Document the Need: Explain why this skill is important and how it’s used
- Provide Examples: Share job descriptions or course content demonstrating the skill
- Contact Support: Submit your request to [email protected]
- Review Process: Mapademics team evaluates for inclusion in future MSL versions
Best Practices
For Course Management
- Use MSL Skills First: Check the library before creating custom skills
- Accurate Proficiency Levels: Set skill levels that reflect actual course emphasis
- Complete Descriptions: When skills lack clear rationale, add notes explaining their inclusion
For Report Interpretation
- Consistent Framework: All compared skills use MSL, ensuring valid comparisons
- Domain Context: Consider skill domains when interpreting coverage gaps
- Proficiency Matters: A program may cover a skill but at insufficient proficiency levels
For Strategic Planning
- Trend Analysis: Track MSL skill demand changes in your region’s job market
- Curriculum Design: Design new courses around MSL skills with high job market demand
- Faculty Development: Identify MSL skills requiring additional faculty training or resources
Need Help?
Common Questions
Q: Can I see the complete list of all 585 MSL skills? A: Yes! Use the Skills Library browser in any “Add Skills” interface, or contact support for a complete MSL export. Q: What if MSL doesn’t have a skill I need? A: Create a custom skill for immediate use and request MSL addition for future versions. Q: Can I export MSL skills for use outside Mapademics? A: Yes, for contracted organizations. Contact your account manager for export options.Additional Resources
- How Skills Extraction Works - Learn how MSL powers AI analysis
- Reviewing & Approving Skills - Manage MSL skills in your content
- Contact Support - Questions about MSL or need a complete skills export