Program Notes
Competency-based education (CBE) programs offer potential academic credit based on mastery of clearly defined competencies (skills). With CBE, students take as much or as little time as they need in any given term to comprehend the material, master the skills, and demonstrate competencies.
Competency-based programs employ flexible conditional open entry/exit enrollment models, abundant online content, and open lab concepts to meet the scheduling needs of students who may not be able to attend regular traditional classes. Competency-based programs can also recognize students’ prior learning regardless of where, when, or how that learning took place.
Students work at their own pace, but prior learning knowledge allows students to proceed when they have shown mastery of the skill, with the potential of considerably shortening the time needed for certificate completion.
Prior learning assessment (PLA) is the process used to evaluate a student’s current knowledge and previous learning experience for academic credit. This can be accomplished through standardized tests, course challenge examinations, and portfolio assessment.
PLA credit-earning methods may significantly reduce the time and cost for program completion, and in some cases can also be used to fulfill prerequisites for higher-level college courses.
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