Northern Arizona University Personalized Learning, or other competency based programs

[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?