Competency-Based Education (CBE)
What is Competency-Based Education?
Competency-based education is a learning model that is growing in use across the country. Lakeshore College offers the flexibility students need, and we understand you may come in with a base of knowledge. CBE benefits our students by allowing you to:
- Earn your degree based on mastery of competency, not through a dedicated amount of time spent in a classroom.
- Completing assessments and courses is dependent on the efforts a student can give to a course.
- Students must achieve success on all assessments, but can accelerate their learning to move as quickly as they desire through the material to get that degree quicker.
- Accelerate your learning
- While you can keep a pace that is more traditional during a 15-week semester, you do have the opportunity to accelerate your learning and complete your course prior to the end-date of class.
- Faculty work with students to determine a personalized schedule to keep pace or move through your education quicker.
- Value the learning process
- Class activities are structured to practice skills and theories until you are ready to take the assessment.
- Most CBE courses offer an opportunity to retake an assessment if not mastered on the first try.
- Attend both an in-person or virtual classroom setting
- Many programs offer courses that can be taken online or in person, depending on the student's needs and preferences.
- Some programs require in-person instruction to use equipment.
- All online programs provide in-person instruction for you to meet individually with faculty or to receive instruction with peers.
- Receive personalized support and instruction
- Your work experience is valued and given credit if applicable through earning Credit for Prior Learning.
- An individualized learning plan to make sure you are completing the courses and working to accelerate your learning is provided.
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Benefits of Learning Through Lakeshore's CBE Programs
- Lakeshore offers many associate degrees and technical diplomas. We also offer certificate programs that are intended to be short term. You can accelerate that learning to complete even more quickly.
- We want to ensure that we provide you with the education you need for the workforce or for transitioning to a four-year university.
- We recognize life gets in the way and sometimes you need a bit more time on your coursework. Flexibility is built in, knowing students must stay on pace to complete the course and program.
- We also recognize that people come in with a wealth of experience and want to honor that as well. Our Credit for Prior Learning opportunities allow you to earn credit for your prior experiences.
- We offer the flexibility that you need to meet your schedule and timeline.
- Access your course components anytime online.
- Courses are held in person, online, or a blend of both.
- Instructors are available in person or virtually.
Progress at Your Own Pace
The competency-based education model allows you to demonstrate knowledge when you are ready. While you will need to stay on pace to finish your courses, flexibility is allowed when life gets in the way, knowing that you can work on your time to still finish in time. Competency-based education focuses on knowledge and competence versus time spent in class.
Flexible Learning
Competency-based education has the flexibility to accelerate your learning to achieve mastery of those competencies faster or to learn at the traditional pace.
Personalized Coaching & Support
Every student has a success team who is with you every step of the way through your educational journey. Whether signing up for classes, navigating college life, helping with homework, or asking questions, the team at Lakeshore is happy and ready to support you.
CBE Delivery Formats
CBE courses are delivered in different formats. It's good to familiarize yourself with each one:
CBE On-Campus
CBE on-campus courses offer flexibility in scheduling and gives you the opportunity to complete coursework on campus. Course activities can require in-person participation with your instructor and/or classmates. CBE on-campus courses also use a web-based learning platform to facilitate lecture instruction. Consult the course schedule to identify the times and locations available for your on-campus learning.
CBE Hybrid
CBE hybrid courses offer you the opportunity to attend structured courses to stay at a minimum pace, but allow flexibility when life happens or acceleration to move faster through material. With a combination of in-person instruction and online platform learning, set your own flexible schedule to complete coursework. Additional course activities may require you to participate in scheduled, structured on-campus or virtual in-person sessions with your instructor and/or classmates. Consult the course schedule to identify the learning meeting times and locations.
CBE Online
CBE online courses can be completed 100% online at times convenient to you. Regular interactions between you and your instructor are scheduled virtually during mutually agreed upon times. You can also drop in during scheduled hours on campus to meet with your instructor and other students.
CBE Start Dates
The scheduling flexibility offered by CBE makes attending college possible when you have work, family, and other commitments. With frequent start dates, begin when it's convenient for you.
Programs Offered
The following programs are currently offered as CBE programs. We will continue adding programs over time, so check back if you're not seeing a program you're interested in taking in the CBE format.
- Agribusiness Science & Technology
- Agriculture Management Technician
- Dairy Business Management
- Dairy Herd Management
- CNC Automation Technician
- Computer-Aided Design Technician
- Intro to Precision Machining Technology
- Intro to Industrial Welding
- Manufacturing Management
- Mechanical Design & Engineering
- Precision Machining Technology
- Quality Assurance Technician
- Quality Process Improvement
- Welding-Industrial
- Welding Fabrication
- Administrative Professional
- Office Assistant
- Business Management
- Business Operations
- Human Resource Administration
- Human Resource Assistant
Want to learn more about competency-based education programs?
Contact us at 920.693.1366 or send your questions to recruitment@lakeshore.edu.
