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Northern Arizona U Expands Competency-Based Degree Options

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has added bachelor of science options to its online, competency-based personalized learning degree offerings.

"Personalized learning's online competency-based education model allows students to earn their degrees based on what they know," according to a news release. "Students develop key skills and knowledge areas called competencies and earn credit by demonstrating how well they understand each competency, not from how much time they spend in class."

Previously, NAU only offered bachelor of arts degrees in computer information technology, liberal arts and small business administration. Those same programs are now available as BS degrees. In addition to earning credits for what they already know, the self-paced programs allow students to transfer credits from other institutions and pay a flat six-month subscription fee rather than paying by the credit.

"We want our personalized learning graduates to be prepared when they reach their professional careers," said Angel Fuentes, a math, statistics and science subject matter faculty member for personalized learning at Nau, in a prepared statement. "Students employed in technical fields will find more relevancy by earning a bachelor of science degree because it directly relates to things they do every day."

More information about personalized learning at NAU is available at pl.nau.edu.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

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