Maximizing Resources for Student Success: Competency-Based Education as a Potential Strategy to Increase Learning and Lower Costs

This report explores how competency-based education at institutions of higher learning has taken on greater prominence in recent years as several colleges and universities have adopted degree programs. Rather than relying on course credit accumulation, competency-based programs require the demonstration of knowledge for degree progression. In these programs, degree completion is dependent on the demonstration of content mastery rather than fulfilling a predetermined amount of time in a sequence of courses. This report from HCM Strategists, LLC, provides an overview of competency-based programs, how those programs can lower costs for institutions and individuals, and strategies others have taken to successfully implement the programs.