Competency-based education (CBE) is an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on what you know and can do, rather than how much time you spend in a classroom.
One of the key features of CBE is you can move forward with your program as you master skills. This allows you to move quickly past topics you know well while spending more time on new and challenging concepts.
Here at University of Massachusetts Global, our UMass Global MyPath programs are CBE options designed for adult learners with busy schedules, allowing them to use their existing knowledge to move quicker through what you already know.
In the CBE programs, you’ll advance by demonstrating mastery, moving faster through what you already know and spending more time on new or challenging concepts. Instead of assigning letter grades based on performance, CBE emphasizes frequent, meaningful feedback that empowers you to take more responsibility for learning.
This learning approach is built for independent learners who thrive while working solo, on their schedule. You set your own pace with no weekly assignment deadlines or fixed time in class requirement, offering you flexibility to study around your schedule while progressing through structured learning milestones.
Dr. Margaret Moodian, tutorial associate professor of humanities and social sciences at UMass Global, said the flexible format of CBE is great for working adults. “Schoolwork isn’t due at one time each week. Students complete their projects when it’s convenient for them, at any time or any place.”
In a recent survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), more than 70% of responding employers deemed college graduates “somewhat well prepared” as they step into their professional careers. While that’s a positive outlook, there’s always room for improving the readiness of students, as only 20% of survey respondents feel college grads are “very well prepared.”
The CBE programs consider prior education, work experience, training, and certifications, helping you focus on mastering skills and moving forward with purpose. This approach prepares students with in-demand, job-ready skill sets, and provides employers with confidence knowing their new hires can perform effectively.
The CBE approach is based on student assessments. These assessments provide insights into what you already know, what you still need to learn, and identify where improvement is possible.
In UMass Global’s CBE programs, you’ll engage with scenario-based learning, interactive activities, collaborative online spaces, and progress-tracking technology that help keep learning relevant. Within each module there are also a handful of discussion posts, writing activities, and AI learning activities to apply to milestone activities, learning journals, and the final assessment. And you don’t have to worry about tests you only have one shot at; in the CBE programs, you can keep testing until you achieve mastery.
Our CBE programs divide courses into different competencies you're expected to master.
You'll work closely with an academic coach who maintains a full list of all the competencies required to complete your program. Then each term, you're given a bundle of competencies, which you can work through as fast as you want.
We’ll put you in 2 courses every 8-week session, and you'll have the option to get more opened up once those are complete.
The convenience of moving through your degree program at your own pace is hard to ignore. But how does that work when it comes to tuition costs? Most CBE programs use a subscription tuition model. For example, with UMass Global MyPath programs, you pay tuition for every 24 weeks spent in the program.
Within those 24 weeks, your academic coach will provide you with your bundles of competencies and help you set goals for yourself. You’ll work through as many competencies as you can. So, the faster you work through the content, the more affordable your degree will be.
All the textbooks and class materials required for UMass Global MyPath programs are built right into the platform, minimizing any extra fees related to materials.
Subscription tuition isn’t just beneficial for the ways it empowers students to move through their programs at a faster-than-normal pace. The subscription tuition model also allows you to take your time with certain courses that may pose more of a challenge or introduce concepts that are new to you.
Self-paced CBE programs also take prior and current work experiences into account.
“When students have prior work experience, they can quickly progress through competencies they’re already knowledgeable about and take more time on the ones that are more difficult for them,” Dr. Moodian said. This is more beneficial than a time-based learning model because it requires students to progress through them at a pre-set pace, regardless of whether they’ve mastered the material.
While you can’t “test out” of certain competencies, your prior experience will help you demonstrate your mastery of the material sooner. You can, however, transfer credits in to waive certain competencies.
CBE programs may even allow you to apply your coursework to real-life work scenarios. One of Dr. Moodian’s students was given the opportunity to present his analysis and recommendations from an assignment in his competency-based program to his colleagues, who then committed to implementing his suggestions within the organization.
“It was empowering for him and gave him visibility at work,” Dr. Moodian noted.
One concern you might have when it comes to an online, self-paced program is that you may be left on your own to figure things out. Quality CBE programs take extra measures to ensure there’s ample available support.
At UMass Global, you have academic advisors available for support. And while these programs allow you the independence to study on your own, faculty members are there for support when asked. If you’re stuck on a question or project, you can reach out to your faculty member and expect a response within 72 hours.
Dr. Moodian explained that students can arrange to meet with faculty members in their online offices whenever needed. “Students have told me it is oftentimes the relationships with faculty and academic coaches that make this program so special.”
The UMass Global team has also worked hard to establish a thriving community among our MyPath student base. There are regular community meetings and a student newsletter put together by academic coaches.
So, who’s a good fit for a CBE program? These are just a few examples:
Now that you understand what competency-based education is all about, you might consider if it's right for your goals and lifestyle. Dig deeper and find out if a CBE program is right for you, and learn more about UMass Global MyPath degree options.
UMass Global offers a wide variety of degree programs for adult learners. Explore your learning options and find a degree that fits you.
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