A post discussing experimental university groups participating in an emerging competency-based education model. Such a disruption will help higher education rethink the credential and how academic programs can be grounded in uniform competencies. The problem lies in how to separate “seat time” from the historical connection of “credit hour” to federal aide.
Each of the five new competency-based credential paths will be different. But they will be the first wave to try direct assessment. Loosely defined, that means students will be able to complete assignments and tests at their own pace — typically online — and progress through academic programs whenever they are ready. The approach differs from other competency-based programs that link student progress back to the credit hour standard, which assumes one hour of instruction and three hours of coursework per week.