Northern Arizona University Personalized Learning, or other competency based programs

[hlansford]

Has anyone graduated with, or is currently working towards, one of their degrees? I was looking into WGU, but am now leaning towards NAU. Does anyone have any experience with other competency based programs? NAU appealed to me because of the actual grades, unlike WGU's competency units.

[nyvrem]

Has anyone graduated with, or is currently working towards, one of their degrees? I was looking into WGU, but am now leaning towards NAU. Does anyone have any experience with other competency based programs? NAU appealed to me because of the actual grades, unlike WGU's competency units.

I've recently just got admitted into the program. Cleared some areas of competency. Here's the brief run through of what you'll be doing.

1) You'll have to call them to register your interest - There's no online registration. Over the phone, they'll take down your information and create an account for you on the spot. It's free of charge.

2) In your account - you'll need to do a readiness assessment - there's 3 sections, Reading/Writing/Math. You need to score 70% or higher for each assessment. For each section, you'll start by doing a Pre-Test. Once you're done, the score will be computed and the break down of which competency's you've masters will be showed as well. Those that are not mastered can be studied to attain mastery of that area. (I used the word can because you only need 70% on the pre-test. Mastering everything would get you a 100% score) Each section takes about 20mins - 30mins to finish. If you've passed English 101 and College Algebra, the test will be a breeze. (It's only my opinion)

This is how the platform looks like. Notice the (1) Path Builder - that's where you start, it's the post test. Once you've done, (2) Complete your learning path modules, will show which areas you need to do to satisfy mastery of that module.



3) While you are doing your readiness assessment, you'll need to send all your transcripts to them. Some things to note about credit exemptions. NAU's PL only accepts 60 credits into the program. You will still need to complete the other 60 credits with them. You cannot get credit exemption for your major. So if you are doing CIT, you cannot get credit exemptions for courses you've done prior, like Data Structures or Operating Systems.

**Steps 2-3 took me 2 weeks to get it done. If your previous colleges have E-Transcript requesting, do that. it's faster.

4) Once all the transcripts and readiness assessment is done, your student account will be forwarded to the PL adviser to plan your degree program. They will show it to you. If you're all good with it, you pay $2500 and start the 6 month duration.

It's my first time doing a competency based course, here's what I feel about the program.

1) 1 area of Mastery can satisfy different modules. Eg, If i've mastered programming, it can be applied to 3 other courses that require the same area of mastery.
2) The people are very friendly - and always contactable.
3) It's actual grades with a course code. The list below are the major courses needed for the CIT route. You cannot get exempted from all these courses even if you have taken them before. You can request the advisers to send you a copy of this PDF that shows what's required for each major map. I just SS from my own PDF.



4) The courses itself was easy to understand and the tools they use to teach is engaging and helpful. What was taught and what came out in the test were aligned - I felt this was very important.
5) It's cheap. If i can squeeze in 30 credits over a 6 month period, that's $83/credit hour ! There's no hidden cost. It's $2500 upfront and you go !
6) Must have a stable internet connection - I lost connection twice, and my work was lost.

[hlansford]

I've recently just got admitted into the program. Cleared some areas of competency. Here's the brief run through of what you'll be doing.

1) You'll have to call them to register your interest - There's no online registration. Over the phone, they'll take down your information and create an account for you on the spot. It's free of charge.

2) In your account - you'll need to do a readiness assessment - there's 3 sections, Reading/Writing/Math. You need to score 70% or higher for each assessment. For each section, you'll start by doing a Pre-Test. Once you're done, the score will be computed and the break down of which competency's you've masters will be showed as well. Those that are not mastered can be studied to attain mastery of that area. (I used the word can because you only need 70% on the pre-test. Mastering everything would get you a 100% score) Each section takes about 20mins - 30mins to finish. If you've passed English 101 and College Algebra, the test will be a breeze. (It's only my opinion)

This is how the platform looks like. Notice the (1) Path Builder - that's where you start, it's the post test. Once you've done, (2) Complete your learning path modules, will show which areas you need to do to satisfy mastery of that module.



3) While you are doing your readiness assessment, you'll need to send all your transcripts to them. Some things to note about credit exemptions. NAU's PL only accepts 60 credits into the program. You will still need to complete the other 60 credits with them. You cannot get credit exemption for your major. So if you are doing CIT, you cannot get credit exemptions for courses you've done prior, like Data Structures or Operating Systems.

**Steps 2-3 took me 2 weeks to get it done. If your previous colleges have E-Transcript requesting, do that. it's faster.

4) Once all the transcripts and readiness assessment is done, your student account will be forwarded to the PL adviser to plan your degree program. They will show it to you. If you're all good with it, you pay $2500 and start the 6 month duration.

It's my first time doing a competency based course, here's what I feel about the program.

1) 1 area of Mastery can satisfy different modules. Eg, If i've mastered programming, it can be applied to 3 other courses that require the same area of mastery.
2) The people are very friendly - and always contactable.
3) It's actual grades with a course code. The list below are the major courses needed for the CIT route. You cannot get exempted from all these courses even if you have taken them before. You can request the advisers to send you a copy of this PDF that shows what's required for each major map. I just SS from my own PDF.



4) The courses itself was easy to understand and the tools they use to teach is engaging and helpful. What was taught and what came out in the test were aligned - I felt this was very important.
5) It's cheap. If i can squeeze in 30 credits over a 6 month period, that's $83/credit hour ! There's no hidden cost. It's $2500 upfront and you go !
6) Must have a stable internet connection - I lost connection twice, and my work was lost.

Thank you so much for all of the information! I will be calling them tomorrow. I am very excited about the competency based learning and feel that it will be a good fit for me. Do you happen to know what would lead someone to not be accepted into the program? Are there a required number of credits to transfer?

[nyvrem]

Thank you so much for all of the information! I will be calling them tomorrow. I am very excited about the competency based learning and feel that it will be a good fit for me. Do you happen to know what would lead someone to not be accepted into the program? Are there a required number of credits to transfer?

I'm not sure how many credits they need to enter the program. Or if any. You will need to call them to check.

I entered with about 50+ credits. Lower level GE stuff.

[NonTrad]

Bump! Anyone around in this program?
Will they accept courses from the Big 3/Transferred credit?
For the life of me I can't find what the "mastery" milestones would be in each of the required courses - would love to hear if anyone has done this?

[GoodYellowDogs]

Nope, not in it. However, I am in Patten.edu competency based program and I'm really liking it. I'm in the MBA program. I know they also have an undergrad program.

[nyvrem]

Bump! Anyone around in this program?
Will they accept courses from the Big 3/Transferred credit?
For the life of me I can't find what the "mastery" milestones would be in each of the required courses - would love to hear if anyone has done this?

why not just call NAU to ask about credit transfer ?

They only accept 60 credits towards the program.

Mastery for each unit is just another assignment you need to do.

Here's a screenshoot of the modules and each units under the module ~



It's really easy to understand ~

PRE means Pre Test for the module - If you pass this, you don't need to do the whole module and you earn credits.
T1 - T(x) are the units that you need to do if you fail the PRE test.
POST is the final exam you take for the module - if you pass, you get 2 options (See Samplings and Intervals module)

Now if I was to click on the Forfeit Mastery & Complete Lesson, I will get a B grade for that module
If I was to click on the Master this Lesson ~ I will be brought to this screen below to do this assignment to master this lesson.



Once you select your option, you can't go back to do it again. So if I was to forfeit ~ i cannot return next month to master that lesson. You'll also notice that each module has X number of credits. It's not 3 credits because this module is just part of a whole course. A whole course might need 3-4 of these modules for you to complete to earn the full 3 credits (you must complete the whole course of 3 credits for it to transfer). You will also need to do Mastery for all the modules that make up the full course to earn your A grade.

[NonTrad]

Thanks Nyvrem!
I did speak to them about credit transfer.
My issue was in terms of "mastery", there had been some docs that in the CIT program some of the mastery would be Certifications (I guess like A+ or Network+). If it's just more writing assignments that's fine - have you found that to be the case?

[nyvrem]

Thanks Nyvrem!
I did speak to them about credit transfer.
My issue was in terms of "mastery", there had been some docs that in the CIT program some of the mastery would be Certifications (I guess like A+ or Network+). If it's just more writing assignments that's fine - have you found that to be the case?

i've done at least 20 units of IT stuff and all the mastery was just assignments. It could be a 300 word write out about something, or built a website with a purpose. but never have i been asked for certifications.

(:

[NonTrad]

How did you do on the assignments? Do you ever have any interaction with Professors? sending you a PM too