Competency-Based Education

Abstract

Competency-based education (CBE) is an innovative advance in higher education that organizes academic content or delivery according to competencies, what a student knows and can manage, rather than conforming to a more traditional system. CBE offers students the chance to use past experiences, skills, and knowledge to complete a course, get a degree, or complete the training needed to pursue their goals. Student debt is increasing, and academic institutions must transform to accommodate the needs of the new students. Originally only found at for-profit institutions, a greater number of non-profit universities are adopting competency-based education because it offers delineated learning outcomes and appeals to student’s experiences. Online competency-based education can provide a method to decrease failure in completion, the flexibility of the program can work with a student’s schedule. Global demands for virtual options are making it difficult for traditional universities to resist the online phenomenon. The development of online competency-based programs requires new approaches to the curriculum design process. One proven method of CBE instruction was implemented at a medical school in Ohio, USA. The formula used is outlined in this paper, allowing others to design their own. The benefits to the student include the ability to test out of the material they are familiar with and focus only on the new material. The school will still require the student to take the course, so revenue is not lost, and they get the benefit of helping their students. In an era when recruitment stems from word of mouth, the adoption of this method will encourage others to join the program.