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UW Flexible Option Team

UW Flexible Option—If You’re Competent and You Know It, Prove It and Move Forward

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It’s not about quantity – it’s about quality, at least in terms of proving how well you know the material related to the degree you’re attempting to earn. That’s the fundamental cornerstone of competency-based education sweeping the country, and the University of Wisconsin is right in the thick of it.

As a recent New York Times article by Anya Kamenetz pointed out, UW Flexible Option is quickly becoming one of the most-watched programs in the country as it prepares to launch its first course offerings in January 2014.

Kamenetz is the author of several influential books, including “Generation Debt: Why Now is a Terrible Time to be Young” and “DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education.” [Read more…] about UW Flexible Option—If You’re Competent and You Know It, Prove It and Move Forward

UW Flexible Option Admission Sees Successful Launch as Eager Students Rush to Apply

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The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option officially opened its admission process this week as prospective students began submitting applications for its new, self-paced, competency-based degree programs.

During a special press event celebrating the program’s milestone moment, UW System President Kevin Reilly highlighted the UW Flexible Option program’s goal of opening the door for more people to have access to higher education.

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UW Flexible Option celebrated the official opening of its admission process on Nov. 18, 2013.

“UW Flexible Option is about making higher education available and accessible to a broader swath of the population at a time when it’s more needed than ever,” Reilly said. “It’s about offering the door of opportunity to more people, different people, people who may not have come knocking unless we provided this new pathway.” [Read more…] about UW Flexible Option Admission Sees Successful Launch as Eager Students Rush to Apply

Student Jumps at Opportunity to Flex His Potential with UW Flexible Option

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Tony Roman has a great career in a specialized field. He’s a driven, ambitious self-starter who now serves as the Google Apps for Education and Mobile Device Administrator for the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Cooperative Extension division. Take one look at his Google+ profile and you’ll see a connected, innovative, and forward-thinking individual who has a finger on the pulse of the rapidly changing world of technology and communication.

“Most of the things I’ve learned are self-taught or things I’ve picked up through conferences or through direct training on specific topics from the IT field,” Roman said.

But Roman said there’s a missing piece of the puzzle preventing him from advancing his career the way he wants: he never completed his college degree. [Read more…] about Student Jumps at Opportunity to Flex His Potential with UW Flexible Option

National Public Radio Story Highlights New Way to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

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Recently the UW Flexible Option, and specifically the new competency-based program for registered nurses seeking a bachelor of nursing degree, was featured on NPR LogoNational Public Radio’s Morning Edition. The story, Getting College Credit for What You Already Know, was written by Marge Pitrof from member station WUWM in Milwaukee. Click the link above to hear the story, or read the complete transcript below.

Getting College Credit For What You Already Know

The University of Wisconsin System will soon offer a new option for working adults who want to complete their bachelor’s degree. Under the Flexible Option, students can earn credits and a degree, by proving they’ve mastered competencies. The Flex Option is aimed at helping more than 700,000 residents who have college credit but no degree, and adults who don’t have time to attend classes.

Listen to the Story

UW-Extension provides legislators with UW Flexible Option insights, news and timeline

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 Senate Universities and Technical Colleges Committee invites UW Flex leaders to informational hearing

MADISON, Wis. –  Sen. Sheila Harsdorf invited University of Wisconsin Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor Ray Cross and other UW-Extension leaders to present the latest UW Flexible Option developments to the Senate Universities and Technical Colleges Committee on Nov. 6, 2013, at the State Capitol.

Committee members learned about major milestones and about the challenges the University of Wisconsin is overcoming to create a revolutionary new educational model.

“We appreciate lawmakers’ engagement in the discussion about this new format we’re developing to increase the number of Wisconsinites who hold degrees, especially in high demand areas such as medicine and information technology,” Cross said. “We are starting small and expect to scale up to help educate adults who otherwise would not be able to progress in their careers.” [Read more…] about UW-Extension provides legislators with UW Flexible Option insights, news and timeline

$1.2 Million Lumina Grant to Support Development of UW Flexible Option

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The Lumina Foundation recently awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant to UW System to create a blueprint for replicating the creation of a competency-based approach to higher education. The grant project will chronicle the creation of and evaluate the impact of the UW Flexible Option, a self-paced, competency-based way to earn a degree or certification. UW Flexible Option is a joint undertaking of UW-Extension and UW System. Lumina_horiz_rgb

[Read more…] about $1.2 Million Lumina Grant to Support Development of UW Flexible Option

UW System President Joins Inaugural Presidential Innovation Lab

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On July 2, 2013, the American Council on Education (ACE) announced the launch of the Presidential Innovation Lab, a collaboration of 14 university and college leaders, including University of Wisconsin System President Kevin Reilly, who are at the forefront of innovative efforts to increase access to quality education for underserved audiences.  The initiative will open a dialogue to address how new technologies like massive open online courses (MOOCs) can help national higher education institutions close the college attainment gap especially among nontraditional and low-income students.  Additionally, the group will discuss the impact that implementing these innovations might have on institutional design and financial models.

[Read more…] about UW System President Joins Inaugural Presidential Innovation Lab

UW Institutions Approved to Offer Flexible Option Degrees

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UW-Milwaukee and UW Colleges Gain Higher Learning Commission ApprovalHLC-Logo-3

On July 2, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved UW-Milwaukee and UW Colleges to offer a competency-based degree program through the UW Flexible Option. All UW schools and programs receive HLC accreditation before accepting enrollments, and it is a key factor for students as they evaluate their options for higher education.

UW-Milwaukee received permission to offer three bachelor’s degree programs and one certificate program:

  • A bachelor’s degree for registered nurses who need additional college to qualify for higher professional credentials (master’s degree in nursing to come in fall 2014)
  • A bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging (through the B.S. in Biomedical Sciences)  for certified diagnostic imaging professionals
  • A bachelor’s degree in information science and technology, preparing students for jobs in today’s digital culture and economy
  • A certificate in professional and technical communication, providing students with the essential written and oral communication skills needed in the workplace

The UW Colleges received approval for the Associate of Arts and Science degree.

You can read the full UW System news release here: UW institutions approved to offer Flexible Option degrees

UW System Conference Discusses the Changing Nature of Higher Ed

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Since 2005, UW System has been a partner with the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) in moving the Liberal Education and America’s Promise, (LEAP) agenda forward. The initiative’s mission is to champion the importance of a twenty-first century liberal education. LEAP Wisconsin is a shared conversation, a set of best practices, and an ongoing commitment to quality education and student success in the changing landscape of higher education in the 21st century.  [Read more…] about UW System Conference Discusses the Changing Nature of Higher Ed