As you consider and research an online degree program at Capella University, you might be seeing the phrase “competency-based education” and its related terminology. If you’re left wondering what it all means, don’t worry.
To help you understand what it’s all about, here’s a handy list of the most common terms related to competency-based education, and how Capella defines them:
Competencies and Outcomes
COMPETENCIES: Bundles of knowledge, skills, and abilities that combine theory and practice. Competencies are observable and measurable, and emphasize what students can do as a result of their learning. Examples of competencies include: analyzing data; communicating effectively; thinking critically to solve a problem, etc.
COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION: An educational model in which learning is measured by how well a student demonstrates competencies (e.g., in an assignment that shows his or her knowledge in action).
Competency-based education programs generally have very clear claims for student learning, stress what students can do with the knowledge and skills they acquire, and have assessments that provide measurable evidence of competency.
Students make academic progress as they master the competencies in the courses of their degree or certificate program. Competencies build toward learning outcomes that align with the skills, talents, and knowledge that employers look for in their employees.
All of Capella’s programs are competency-based.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional attributes a student demonstrates upon completing a degree program or certificate.
Measuring Learning
ASSESSMENT: An activity or assignment used to measure how well a student demonstrates competencies. Instead of multiple-choice tests that only measure knowledge, for example, assessments require learners to apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities to real-world situations in projects like case studies, proposals, data analyses, or presentations.
Assessments typically include opportunities for learners to demonstrate several competencies. They model work that would be expected on the job and are aligned with what employers need.
CREDIT-BASED: Most higher education models are based on the credit hour. In this model, a passing grade and credits are earned for satisfactorily completing all assignments and course-participation requirements within the terms of the academic calendar.
DIRECT ASSESSMENT: An approach to competency-based education that measures learning by the demonstration of competencies only, without relation to academic terms, credits, or grades.
FlexPath is Capella’s direct assessment approach to competency-based education. There are no required class discussions, specified reading assignments, or quizzes, and students complete their work at their own pace rather than according to the traditional academic calendar.
COMPETENCY MAP: Capella’s one-of-a-kind, personalized dashboard that lets students track their progress on each competency throughout their courses. Students, faculty, and academic advisors can use this dashboard as the student progresses through the program. It can also be shared with potential employers to demonstrate areas of strength.
The Pace of Learning
SELF-PACED LEARNING: A learning model in which students progress through their academic program at their own pace. Learning is evaluated only through assessments and not participation in discussions or completion of reading or weekly assignments.
Degree programs in our FlexPath model are self-paced. Students must sufficiently demonstrate the competencies in all assessments in each course before they can move on to the next course.
ASYNCHRONOUS: This means not happening at the same time. Almost all Capella courses are asynchronous because there’s no set time when a class meets. Students and faculty complete their work in the courseroom at different times during the week.
NOTE: FlexPath is both asynchronous and self-paced because there are no set meeting times and no weekly deadlines for assignments.
Learn more about Capella’s competency-based learning approach and FlexPath, Capella’s self-paced learning format.
