coursework based qualifications

Competency-Based Degrees and Programs

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In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, competency-based programs have emerged as a dynamic alternative to the traditional higher education structure.

As industries demand practical skills, flexible learning options like competency-based programs address these needs by focusing on mastery rather than time spent in the classroom. These programs also offer a fast way to earn college credit .

We’ll introduce competency-based degrees, spotlight several of the top programs, and explain why these flexible and affordable college options might be a solid choice for you.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is a Competency-Based Degree?

Competency-based degrees and programs focus on assessing your mastery of specific skills and knowledge rather than relying solely on traditional credit hours and class structure.

In these programs, you progress at your own pace and move through the curriculum as you demonstrate proficiency in various predetermined areas. Simply put, the quicker you master a subject, the quicker you can complete course requirements.

Once you prove competency, you accumulate credits toward a degree. This learner-centric approach allows you to tailor your learning experience and earn a degree based on demonstrated capabilities.

These programs often utilize real-world projects, assessments, and personalized learning pathways. Competency-based degrees are ideal for self-directed learners and experienced adult students , allowing you to showcase existing skills and accelerate through familiar material.

Most competency-based degrees are also online.

Competency-Based Bachelor’s Degree

A competency-based bachelor’s degree places a strong emphasis on practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable in the workplace, making it especially relevant for those who want to quickly apply what they’re learning to their current job or who want to improve their job prospects while still in school.

Because competency-based programs focus on experience, bachelor’s level programs are suited for career professionals. For example, if you’re a working nurse with an ADN, a competency-based degree could help you quickly earn your BSN degree more quickly.

Competency-Based Master’s Degree

A competency-based master’s degree program is designed around the competencies required for success in your chosen field, and your progress is determined by your ability to demonstrate proficiency in these areas.

The practical focus of these programs can provide a significant boost to your career, as you’ll be learning and applying skills that are immediately relevant in the professional world.

You’ll typically need several years of professional experience to participate in a competency-based master’s program.

8 Competency-Based Colleges and Universities

Several universities and colleges have embraced the competency-based education model, offering unique programs designed to cater to the needs of nontraditional learners.

University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global offers competency-based programs under its MyPath initiative . These programs are self-paced, semester-free and utilize a time-based billing system. This means students can start their competencies at any time and complete as many as they can within a billing period, providing a high level of flexibility for adult learners.

Texas A&M University, Commerce

Texas A&M University Commerce offers a range of competency-based programs aimed at providing students a flexible, cost-effective, and rapid route to obtaining their degrees. These programs are tailored to the needs of working professionals, allowing them to earn their degree faster and at a lower cost.

University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin’s competency-based programs are designed to foster student success by focusing on skill mastery rather than classroom hours. The UW Flexible Option program offers a highly individualized and adaptable learning journey, allowing students to start at any month and learn at their own pace.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is known for its wide array of competency-based programs in areas like business, education, IT, and health. WGU structures its programs with predefined competencies aligned with industry needs, and you progress through coursework while receiving personalized support from mentors. With the support of faculty mentors, students can progress at their own pace, making WGU an excellent choice for those looking to balance work and study.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) provides competency-based degrees where students advance by demonstrating skills through self-paced, project-centric learning. In addition to course requirements, you receive guidance from coaches and faculty mentors, accelerating through the material you grasp quickly. It offers degrees in areas like communication, healthcare management, and management, making it a perfect fit for nontraditional students such as working professionals.

Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global’s ExcelTrack program is designed for working professionals looking for flexible, self-directed learning. It offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in fields like business administration, cybersecurity, and nursing, allowing students to control the pace of their learning and balance their educational pursuits with their professional and personal responsibilities.

Walden University

Walden University offers the Tempo Learning program, which provides competency-based degree opportunities. The program is self-guided and allows students to progress by demonstrating proficiency in certain competencies.

With a three-month, fixed-cost subscription approach, students are encouraged to master as many competencies as possible within each term. Students also receive guidance and evaluation from faculty and academic mentors to facilitate their learning journey and monitor their progress.

University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix’s competency-based programs offer flexible, self-guided learning that caters to working professionals. These programs allow students to take on up to four courses at once within a 16-week frame, resulting in faster completion. The assessment process emphasizes skill mastery over traditional grading, ensuring students gain the vital skills needed for career progression.

Competency-Based Programs vs. Traditional Four-Year Programs

Competency-based programs are typically quick, flexible, and affordable, but are they right for you? Check out the table below to compare and contrast competency-based and traditional programs .

The Benefits of Competency-Based Degrees

Competency-based degrees offer a host of benefits that can make them an attractive alternative to traditional degree programs. These benefits include added flexibility, faster completion time, and potentially lower tuition costs.

Added Flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of a competency-based degree is the flexibility it provides. Because you can progress at your own pace and on your own schedule, you’ll have the freedom to balance your education with your other responsibilities.

These degrees often utilize online platforms, promoting remote access and personalized study plans. This flexibility caters to diverse learning styles while accommodating the responsibilities of work and home, thus expanding access to higher education.

Faster Completion Time

Another major advantage of competency-based degrees is the potential for a faster completion time. Because you can move on as soon as you’ve mastered a skill or competency, you may be able to earn your degree more quickly than you would in a traditional program. This can not only save you time but also help you to advance your career sooner.

Flat-Rate Tuition Costs

Many competency-based programs operate on a flat-rate tuition model, which can make them a more affordable option than traditional degree programs.

Rather than paying per credit hour, you pay a set fee regardless of the time you take to complete your program. This approach is beneficial as it allows you to quickly complete the material and complete the program faster.

Is a Competency-Based Degree Right for You?

To decide if a competency-based degree is right for you, consider your educational and career goals, your learning style, your need for flexibility, and your financial situation.

If you’re a self-starter who thrives in a flexible learning environment and want to quickly apply what you’re learning to your current job, or if you want to improve your job prospects while still in school, a competency-based degree could be a good fit for you.

For working adults, career changers , and military service members, competency-based programs are often advantageous. These individuals often have diverse personal and professional commitments, requiring enhanced flexibility.

Additionally, nontraditional students often bring prior knowledge and experience that are valuable in a competency-based program.

Frequently Asked Questions About Competency-Based Degrees

What is a competency-based master’s degree.

A competency-based master’s degree assesses your proficiency in specific skills and knowledge required for a specific field. Instead of following a fixed timeframe, you advance as you demonstrate mastery of the required topics. This approach often involves personalized learning, various assessments, and real-world projects.

Can a competency-based degree save you money?

Yes, a competency-based degree can help you save money on higher education . Because you progress based on demonstrated skills, you can complete courses faster, reducing tuition costs. These programs often employ a flat-rate tuition structure, further contributing to affordability and making it a more cost-friendly pathway toward a college degree.

Can you get financial aid for competency-based degrees?

Yes, financial aid is often available for competency-based degrees. Many colleges and universities offering these programs are accredited, allowing you to access federal financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans , just like in a traditional degree program.

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Learning at WGU: Different by Design

We call it competency-based education. grads call it the best way to learn.

WGU pioneered career-relevant, competency-based education. We remain the only institution offering competency-based degrees at scale, creating a model other colleges and universities are increasingly striving to replicate.

What is competency-based education? Simply put, it measures skills and learning rather than time spent in a classroom. Students earn competency units (the equivalent of credit hours) when they demonstrate their skills through completing assessments. So rather than advancing only when the semester or term ends, you can progress through courses as soon as you’ve proved you’ve mastered the material.

If a student can learn faster, spend more time on schoolwork, or lean on knowledge they already have from previous work or school experience, they can accelerate through their courses. This innovative approach to skills-based education gives power to the learner, allowing them to use their skills as currency to prove their capabilities to potential employers.

In addition, WGU is dedicated to developing the foundation for a skills-based future where learners and employers can find each other and connect through a shared language of verified skills. This commitment within WGU and to the broader  Open Skills Network  (OSN) community furthers our dedication to progressing a skills-based ecosystem beyond our institutional mission. There is also the  Journal of Competency-Based Education  (JCBE) that is published by Western Governors University and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

For Institutions and Policymakers

Dive deeper into competency-based education—and perhaps learn to implement a CBE program of your own.

Reimagine the Path to Your Degree at WGU

Student flexibility, competency-based education at wgu puts the student in the driver's seat of their education..

• Efficient: Education pathways are focused on learning, not seat time. Students are able to spend time on areas where they need more understanding and accelerate where they already have knowledge.
• Flexible: Study happens whenever and wherever it works best for students. WGU learning resources are available anywhere internet access is.
• Individualized: Every student is different. At WGU, we believe the learning experience should be built around students.
• Supportive: Students have a whole team of navigators along for the ride—faculty, staff, even fellow students.

Low, flat-rate tuition and the opportunity to accelerate programs allow students to have more control of total costs.

• Low tuition: Our commitment to helping students graduate with less debt starts with low tuition—about half the average cost of other online institutions.*
• Flat rate: WGU’s flat-rate tuition links time and cost. This is central to how competency-based education can save students money: By speeding up programs, students can graduate faster with less costs.

*WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 47% lower than the national average, compared to national rates reported by the  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems in 2022 . WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science, Nursing Prelicensure program.

WGU is about real-world results—providing students an impressive return on their investment.

• Return on Investment: Our special model of online learning is designed for the working adult, and our commitment to keep costs down means better ROI for our graduates.
• Competencies: The hallmark of competency-based education are the competencies—the clearly defined skills and knowledge that students will master. Our competency-based approach is widely recognized by employers because it’s an approach used by most corporations as the basis for promotions and advancement.
• Mastery: A degree from WGU tells employers that our grads are proven experts and will be invaluable additions to their teams. After all, they earned their degrees by proving they've mastered the competencies that employers are looking for in an employee.

Joel Bianci

Graduate in teaching

"Half of what I learned from my master’s at WGU is a model for my classroom: tailoring curriculum for each student, checking in with them while giving them freedom, reducing structure, and giving room for kids to learn how they learn best.”

Lisa Turnbull

Graduate in IT

"The WGU model allowed me to thrive. I needed a competency-based program that allowed me to use my experience. I needed flexibility to allow me to be a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a Girl Scout leader. I needed affordability because I had a family and could not add another bill.”

Bradley Hall

Graduate in business

"There are a few things that WGU offers that other programs don't, and one is the competency-based format—the mastery, to make sure that you learn the skills before you move on to something else. Traditional schools don't offer that. You simply go to class and you get what they're working on that week and if you don't get it, too bad, we're all moving on. Many key concepts are lost with that."

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What Is a Competency-Based Degree Program?

Competency-based degree programs give you the opportunity to focus on learning new topics and earn credit for what you already have learned through work or life experience. These programs allow you to advance at your own pace. You can work quickly through familiar material or take additional time with more complex topics. Either way, you have the flexibility to determine your learning path.

Learn more about competency-based online degree programs and if you are a good fit for one.

How Is a Competency-Based Degree Different From a Traditional Program?

Purdue Global offers a competency-based program called ExcelTrack ® . These degree programs offer the same curricula, program outcomes, academic rigor, and faculty as traditional program options.

Here’s how competency-based programs are different:

• Courses are shorter. The 1-credit module courses (mini-courses) provide greater scheduling and pacing flexibility.
• You work at your own pace. You can register for competency modules at the start of a term, then register for more for that exact term if you can finish them by the end.
• Competency assessments test your knowledge. You must pass a comprehensive competency assessment during the term to gain credit for the competency module.
• Optional academic support activities are available. Readings, discussion boards, faculty, and more are there when you need them.
• Each term has a flat tuition rate. Unlike a traditional degree program in which you pay for each course separately, competency-based programs have a flat rate per term, plus applicable fees. The more modules you can complete each term, the more time and money you save.

"Purdue Global is perfect for the working professional. It allowed me to continue working full time and progress in my career while furthering my education and widening my job prospects." - Lauren Mollon, ExcelTrack ® MBA

How Are Competency-Based Courses Assessed?

Each module course in ExcelTrack ® consists of two components: readiness check and competency assessment.

Readiness Check

The first component is a readiness check. It helps determine what you already know about a particular subject and what you still need to master. If you need help, you can take part in optional readings, participate in discussion boards, complete practice activities, and get help from your instructor.

Competency Assessment

You'll complete and submit the assigned final project, lab, or evaluation when ready. You will pass if you demonstrate competence for all of the outcomes. If you do not pass, you'll have another chance before the end of the term by revising and resubmitting the project, lab, or evaluation.

What Degrees Are Available Through Competency-Based Programs?

Degree choice varies by institution. For example, through ExcelTrack ® , Purdue Global offers these competency-based degrees and certificates:

Bachelor’s Degrees

• BS in Analytics
• BS in Business Administration
• BS in Cloud Computing and Solutions
• BS in Criminal Justice
• BS in Cybersecurity
• BS in Health Care Administration
• BS in Information Technology
• BS in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Master’s Degrees and Postgraduate Certificates

• Business Administration (MBA)
• Nursing (MSN)
• Nurse Executive Leader

Who Should Consider a Competency-Based Degree Program?

Working individuals who meet the following minimum program requirements can benefit from pursuing a competency-based program such as ExcelTrack ® :

• You have 3 or more years of work experience, having acquired professional skills relevant to your program of study. (Not required for the ExcelTrack ® Bachelor of Science in Nursing .)
• You have successfully completed at least three courses at an accredited college.
• For a master's degree: have proof you have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution.
• For nursing postgraduate certificates: have proof you have completed a master’s degree at an accredited institution.

For success in competency-based programs such as ExcelTrack ® , it’s helpful to have the following:

• Excellent time management and organization skills
• Relevant career experience or college credits
• Self-motivation and self-discipline
• Technical skills [ability to navigate the learning management system (LMS), save files, etc.]

"I chose Purdue Global because I needed flexible options to obtain my degree while working full time and being a busy mom." - Jennifer M Worthy, ExcelTrack ® MBA

Earn Your Degree in an Accelerated Program

Competency-based degree programs can fit well with a busy lifestyle and may help you earn your degree faster. You may also be able to receive college credit for prior learning or transfer credits, which can help you earn your degree more quickly. Find out more about Purdue Global’s competency-based online degrees  or contact us today  for more information.

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What Competency-Based Education Means for Colleges

With this type of academic instruction, work experience can pay off and students progress as they master skills.

Colleges and Competency-Based Education

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Competency-based education is becoming more common in higher education and is present at more than 1,000 university programs.

Andrea Miranda didn’t think traditional four-year college was in her future when she graduated from high school in Massachusetts in 2010. It was expensive, especially compared with free college in Mexico, where she lived until she was 13.

After an intensive six-month job training program where she got excited about a career in business, Miranda landed an internship at a bank in Boston and then a job in client services. She wanted a college degree related to her career goals in business, and a flexible program that she could pause when work got too busy because she knew she had to keep working.

Through Duet, a coaching nonprofit that mentors college students, Miranda enrolled in the online business administration bachelor’s program at Southern New Hampshire University . The bank where she worked offered tuition reimbursement, and her experience working in finance would speed up her progress.

Even better, the SNHU program was competency-based, so her work experience helped her move more quickly toward her degree, she says. “I learned so much from the way projects were set up. It really prepared me to set up my own business.”

Miranda isn’t alone. Competency-based education, or CBE, is becoming more common in higher education and is present at more than 1,000 university programs, according to a 2020 survey report from the American Institute for Research. Also known as mastery-based or skills-based education, CBE is used in K-12 instruction in nearly every state. In higher education, the approach is used to reach adult learners who may have started college before but not finished.

Many educators view CBE as a more learner-centered approach, since students progress as they demonstrate skill mastery. Students unable to access more traditional college experiences may find CBE programs more suited to their needs, advocates say.

“We see massive needs in the workforce that aren’t being addressed,” says Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University. “CBE shifts the spotlight from what you know, to what you can do.”

“Because it was competency-based, if I already knew a subject I could show I knew it through a project, and then move on,” Miranda says. “If I already knew how to create a budget with the rubric I had to meet and everything that involved, I submitted my project. If the teacher sees that I met the requirements, then I pass. “

Miranda says competency-based learning was the best academic training for what she wanted to do. She now runs her own dog boarding business in Boston and works for an after-school program that teaches high school students entrepreneurial skills.

A Focus on Skills, Not Credit Hours

The time for CBE has come because traditional universities aren’t issuing degrees at a pace that keeps up with labor market demands, LeBlanc says, and the students who need degrees the most – first-generation and lower-income students – are the least likely to have access to a traditional four-year program.

LeBlanc cites a 2012 report issued by the New America Foundation, “ Cracking the Credit Hour” as a milestone in the development of CBE. Report author Amy Laitinen, senior director of higher education policy at the New America Foundation, argues that the time-based system for conferring degrees doesn't adequately serve a growing population of adults with some college credit but no degrees. It isn’t always possible to transfer credits from other institutions and job experience doesn’t count toward graduation.

To meet the need for skilled workers and to serve adults who want to complete their post-secondary education, colleges should offer competency-based programs that focus on mastery rather than time spent in school, Laitinen wrote in the report.

LeBlanc notes that he and other higher ed leaders anticipated a complication for early CBE programs: federal financial aid, which is typically offered on a traditional credit hour basis. However, Title IV allows financial aid for students in CBE programs as long as they meet requirements for direct assessment, which is the process of instructors evaluating student mastery of skills.

CBE programs at SNHU are based on a 60-competency requirement rather than the traditional 120-credit requirement for a bachelor’s degree . There is no time requirement for when students master each competency, and there are no grades.

“If you had worked in your family’s small company and could do college math competencies in a week, great,” LeBlanc says. “On the other hand, if you struggled to do competent workplace writing and you needed a year, why would we stop your instruction at 14 weeks and give you a D?”

One of the first accredited colleges to use CBE as its foundational teaching method is Utah-based Western Governors University . Founded in 1997 by the governors of 19 states, WGU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, IT, health and nursing – all online. It says it has the largest number of students enrolled in CBE courses, nearly 140,000 in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Like many other CBE programs, WGU attracts active members of the military. More than 19,000 military-affiliated students were enrolled in the 2022-2023 academic year.

“We are democratizing access to education more than anything else,” says WGU president Scott Pulsipher.

One core difference between CBE and traditional college instruction is that CBE courses are designed to be relevant to necessary career skills, Pulsipher adds. “This forces us to design learning outcomes to be mapped to the needs of the workforce. So when we assess and say a student has mastered a competency, it’s a better signal to employers that you’re actually competent.”

CBE Is Typically Less Expensive

South College , a for-profit college with campuses in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, began offering competency-based graduate degrees in 2021. The school has programs in business, education, IT management and ministry.

Like other colleges with CBE programs, South offers a subscription model on a per-semester basis. For $6,000, a student can enroll and complete as many courses as they can during a semester.

For some students, the heart of the college experience might be the peers they meet in class and on campus. For students at South College, where the curriculum is entirely online , social interaction isn’t the point.

“I think our students chose us because we’re not in that traditional format,” says Michael Patrick, campus president of competency-based education. “Our students choose the program because they can do it at their own pace. We are creating opportunities for people who didn’t think they could go to college.”

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What are Competency-Based (CB) programs?  If you have previous experience, prefer to work more independently and want to control how fast or slow you complete courses, a Competency-Based program may be ideal for you. With faculty guidance, you’ll set your own pace in a flexible environment and leverage what you already know to earn your degree faster and for less, with eligible transfer credits. 

What's unique about CB programs?  You’re scheduled in 4 courses concurrently over a span of 16 weeks. CB programs encourage individual learning and provide an opportunity to engage with fellow students. You’ll also receive support and guidance from faculty in your courses and a dedicated faculty mentor in your program. 

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What is the cb faculty supported self-paced learning.

The Competency-Based programs (CB) faculty supported self-paced learning model allows students to complete their courses based on their ability to master a skill or competency on their own schedule under the guidance of faculty members. This method is tailored to meet different learning styles and can lead to more efficient student outcomes for students that are highly motivated and prefer more autonomy.

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Competency-Based programs, or CB, can require more self-discipline than the traditional college class model because you have more autonomy while learning. Be prepared to work independently, managing your own time and organization during the term. 

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CB allows students to consume content faster and around their own schedule during the course with the guidance of their faculty.  This allows you to complete your degree faster and in a manner that may fit your demanding work and life commitments better.

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What Is Competency-Based Education? A Beginner’s Guide for Students

By Will Erstad on 08/12/2021

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School is school, right? A teacher explains a concept, you do a little additional reading, do some practice work and then take tests every few weeks until the class ends—then rinse and repeat for another course. For those familiar with the routine, it may come as a surprise that an alternative approach to education is gaining popularity—competency-based education (CBE). This educational style is at the heart of our flexible Empowered Learning ® courses.

But what is competency-based education, exactly? This article will help you get you up-to-speed and answer some of the most common questions students may have about this innovative learning format.

What is competency-based education?

Competency-based education is a method of academic instruction and evaluation based upon students demonstrating their mastery of a subject. This method focuses on having students “show what they know” and applying the concepts they’ve learned to evaluations that show they’ve truly grasped the subject.

How does CBE differ from traditional learning models?

By the description above, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “ Wait, how is that any different from what I’ve been doing in school my entire life? ” You’re not wrong in that many, or even most, of the classes you’ve taken in your life have required you to demonstrate your mastery of a subject to earn a letter grade. But what makes CBE so appealing is how the learning is paced.

The dirty little secret found at the foundation of nearly every college is that the standard unit of measuring academic progress, the credit hour, is a pretty arbitrary way to measure learning. In a traditional credit-hour system, more emphasis is put on the amount of time a student spends “in seat” rather than the content that is actually learned.

The CBE format allows institutions to separate “time in seat” from academic proficiency. If you already know a concept from previous life experience or prior learning, you have the option to work ahead and demonstrate that you know your stuff without having to wait for the rest of the class to catch up. Put simply, students are able to show what they know, when they know it.

Who benefits from the CBE model?

While students from all backgrounds and experiences may find the Empowered Learning ® CBE model appealing, it is an especially attractive option for adult learners. Oftentimes adult learners have life experience and practical knowledge that can help them quickly advance through a CBE course.

For example, imagine going back to school for an Accounting degree after spending years running a small landscaping business. The odds are strong that you’ve picked up on some of the basics of bookkeeping and other fundamental concepts. You’d have the ability to prove your knowledge in these areas immediately, breezing by those lessons and moving one step closer to graduating.

How do CBE courses work?

Most CBE courses are offered in an online format. This is yet another benefit for working adults to seamlessly fit their coursework into their already-busy schedules.

So how does that work, exactly? Check out the video below for an introduction to online Empowered Learning ® courses and how they utilize the competency-based education format:

Rasmussen University Empowered Learning ® Orientation

Do CBE courses include interaction with instructors and other students?

Absolutely! While competency-based courses may allow some students to make it through a course with minimal interaction with their instructors, that isn’t the norm. Instructors will often host live lectures (that are also recorded) where they cover a topic and answer questions from students. And like instructors in traditional learning models, they are available and willing to help if you are having trouble with a particular area.

“I can honestly say the instructor made all the difference in my experience,” says Rasmussen University Business Management student Marcia Smeby. “He took the time to engage students and reach out at every level. The instructor made the class feel inclusive and encouraged a lot of conversations.”

How are CBE courses graded?

“Proving your competency” sounds great, but how does that work in practice? At Rasmussen University in particular, courses are broken down into key competencies or subject areas. For example, a Professional Communications course may include a competency for workplace presentations as well as competency modules for professional negotiating and written communications.

To earn credit for these competencies, students are typically tasked with projects that apply what they’ve learned. An example of this might be writing and recording a professional presentation.

Are there deadlines in CBE courses?

Yes and no. The Rasmussen University Empowered Learning ® CBE courses do have an overall “deadline” for completing course work, but how you spread out your work over that timeframe is up to you. If you want to clear your schedule for a week at the end of the course and focus solely on your assignments, you can! (Although you’d lose the opportunity to revise with faculty feedback and resubmit to try for a higher grade.) If you’d prefer to frontload it and finish it all early, then that’s fine too. Or you can chip away at your work throughout the term as time permits. You have a lot of flexibility on the timing with your learning.

Can a CBE format help save me money?

The beauty of college credit being awarded based on competence, not time, is that it gives students the ability to prove their knowledge and potentially bypass courses. At Rasmussen University, students often have the option to supplement their standard CBE courses with self-directed assessments that allow them to earn credit and “test out” of courses they may already have a handle on.

These self-directed assessments are similar in structure to CBE courses, but there are a couple of key differences. First, the self-directed assessments offered at Rasmussen University are not eligible for financial aid, while the Empowered Learning ® CBE courses are eligible . Second, the self-directed assessments are done much more independently—you can still ask clarifying questions of a faculty member, but since these are a way to test out of a course, the expectation is that you are already equipped to handle the work and can complete the assessment on your own. These self-directed assessments can save you money as you’ll pay a relatively small fee of $149 for each attempt.

What do employers think of competency-based education?

Like with anything new or different, it’s understandable if you’re a little wary of what a potential future employer might think of a CBE student. The reality is most employers don’t have the time or resources to dive deep into how a school handles its curriculum. The route you took to obtain the required education isn’t as important as your demonstrated ability to do the job.

This is also precisely where CBE shines—the project-based evaluation of these courses means students will have tangible work products that show what they’ve learned. This is great for job-seekers who may not have as much relevant work experience to highlight in a resume or interview situation. Being able to point to academic work where you’ve applied what you’ve learned in a realistic scenario can be more convincing to an employer than a bullet point on a resume.

What do students think of the CBE course experience?

Flexibility and the ability to work ahead are great, but it’s no good if the overall experience is lacking. While not every competency-based education program is the same, Rasmussen University students have reacted well to their Empowered Learning ® CBE courses. Smeby says her experience in these courses has been a positive one.

“These courses are great for someone like me,” Smeby says. “I have kids, a husband and a job; I volunteer and I don’t have a lot of time to sit in a classroom, but I absolutely have time to sit on my computer at night and take these courses.”

Smeby’s busy schedule led to her placing a premium on flexibility—something CBE courses have accommodated well. “The traditional online classes are already flexible but the CBE classes were even more flexible, and they catered to my learning style,” she explains.

Does competency-based education sound right for you?

Now that you know more about what competency-based education is and how it works, does this format sound like an ideal fit for you? If so, you’ll want to check out the Rasmussen University Empowered Learning ® page for more detailed information about the competency-based learning options we have to offer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2018. It has since between updated to include information relevant to 2021.

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About the author

Will Erstad

Will is a Sr. Content Specialist at Collegis Education. He researches and writes student-focused articles on a variety of topics for Rasmussen University. He is passionate about learning and enjoys writing engaging content to help current and future students on their path to a rewarding education.

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