Category Archives: Competency-Based Education

Accreditation, Competency-Based Education, Federal Policy

Link: Defining Competency

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Fain, Paul. “Defining Competency.” Inside Higher Ed, June 17, 2015.

New letters from the U.S. Department of Education and the seven regional accreditors that make up the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions articulate a common framework for the assessment and approval of competency-based academic programs.

In addition to describing what, exactly, constitutes a direct assessment program — which has been an area of confusion for some — the department’s letter touches on the faculty role in competency-based programs, many of which are online only.

Adult Learning, Competency-Based Education, Degree Completion

Link: Access to Learning: Opportunities for Adult Learners to Excel Beyond the Baccalaureate

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Dooley, Elizabeth. “Access to Learning: Opportunities for Adult Learners to Excel Beyond the Baccalaureate.” The Evolllution, May 2015.

This article presents an overview of West Virginia University’s Regents Bachelor of Arts, a flexible degree completion program for adult learners that has embraced competency-based education and industry partnerships. WVU is now connecting those learners with further education options, creating articulation agreements with various graduate degree programs to provide a transfer pathway for motivated adult learners.

One of the compelling results of the RBA program is having adult learners fully understand the value of their life and work experience and how those experiences form the basis for a robust educational experience. The RBA has provided many of our students with the confidence and the credentials needed to compete for jobs that require a postsecondary credential.