What is competency-based education or CBE?

At Kirkwood Community College, competency-based education is an approach to designing, developing, and delivering curricula and instruction where high-level learning expectations are held constant for all students, where students demonstrate proficiency of targeted learning through authentic assessments, and where the learning experience is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. 

Successful completion of a CBE program requires that student demonstrate a level of competency through assessments.  To help students with this type of programing they will be assigned a coach to help guide them through this unique learning experience.  Prior to starting the program students will also complete an orientation course that will explain more about the CBE learning experience.

Other requirements:

• Participants must be at least 21 years old
• Have the equivalent of 3 years of full time work experience