How long do courses take to complete?

Overview

In our competency-based model, course completion is not tied to a fixed schedule but depends on each student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of the material. Progress is influenced by how much time a student can dedicate to their studies and how quickly they grasp new concepts, as assessed through quizzes and projects. This self-paced approach allows students to move quickly through familiar content and take additional time with more challenging topics.

How It Works

In our competency-based model, there is no fixed schedule for course completion because progress is determined by the student's ability to demonstrate mastery of each concept, rather than by time spent in the course. The duration of study will vary based on two main factors:

1. The amount of time a student is able to dedicate to their studies, and
2. How quickly the student is able to understand and master the required competencies as determined by periodic quizzes and projects.

Because the program is self-paced, students may move quickly through concepts they already understand while spending more time on less-familiar ones.

It is anticipated that most courses take 4-8 weeks to complete, though it can be much faster or slower depending upon the needs of the student.

Students need to complete at least one module (micro-course) every 30 days, and at that pace a course would be completed in approximately 3 months, which is the slowest pace that will still enable a student to remain enrolled.

There is no limit on how quickly a student can complete a course, as each student has unique skills they bring to their learning.

Key Benefits of Competency-Based Education

• Flexible pacing tailored to individual learners
  Students move through material as quickly or slowly as needed, ensuring full mastery before advancing.
• Learning based on real-world application
  Projects simulate real-world problems, helping students build practical experience and job-ready skills.
• Supported by faculty and AI coaches
  All of our courses have real faculty who will grade your final projects whenever you submit them. We also have AI coaches built right into the learning environment, so students can ask questions and get answers real-time on course content.
• Focus on demonstrated mastery—not time spent
  Students earn credit by proving what they can do, not by meeting arbitrary time requirements like credit hours or semesters.
• Direct assessment for transparency and clarity
  Each project directly measures specific competencies, making learning outcomes clearer to students, educators, and employers.
• Built for working adults and nontraditional learners
  With 24/7 online access and no mandatory deadlines, learners can study from anywhere and fit education around their lives.
• Employer-aligned curriculum
  Program content is informed by academic experts and industry leaders, ensuring that competencies reflect current workforce needs.
• Support for diverse learning needs
  By removing time and course constraints, the model supports students with varying educational backgrounds, including those re-entering education or transitioning careers.
• Global access and continuity
  The fully online delivery model allows students around the world to engage consistently, regardless of location or time zone.