DRAFT
The University of Wisconsin Flexible Degree
October 3, 2012
We are living in transformative times. New technologies and a deepened understanding of student
learning present the opportunity to create new models of higher education that are highly accessible, high
quality, and of high value to the state, nation, and world. The UW Flexible Degree program (FD) is a
portfolio of degrees, certificates and credits that will be offered through formats that are self-paced,
competency-based, and will blend in optimal ways online and face-to-face. FD will be built on best-practice
educational principles and learning science, including learning outcome assessment and instructional design
principles. UW’s FD will be distinguished because it will build on UW’s reputation for quality and our
historic Wisconsin Idea mission – providing an education that serves the best interests of the state, the
nation, and the world by working shoulder-to-shoulder with communities to solve important problems and
advance society.
Principles
 University of Wisconsin values its commitment to shared governance
 The Wisconsin Idea will guide the development of the FD program
 Flex degrees are offered by UW institutions; they will be approved and awarded by the same
accreditation and faculty governance policies as all UW degrees
o Academic control of a FD program remains under faculty and administrative shared governance
within the offering UW institution
o UW-Extension will support the administration of FD and the programs at each institution
o As such FD can be thought of as a portfolio of programs that build on and support the strengths of
individual institutions and the collective strength of the UW System
 Participation in FD programs is voluntary; no institution or department will be required to participate
 Business models will be developed that are cost-effective for students and equitably share revenue
across the units providing effort
 FD programs will focus on areas of strong need for economic growth and development
 FD programs will target adult and non-traditional learners, most of whom already have some college
credits, and who can most benefit from greater access to quality education
 FD programs will use best-practice educational principles that
o Place competencies and student learning assessment at the core
o Take best advantage of instructional materials available world-wide
o Optimally use technology and face-to-face to customize and provide maximum flexibility for
learners
 Formative development and assessment processes will be used to assure that student needs are met
while FD programs grow and expand to best serve the state, nation, and world
Key Features
Competency-based Outcomes and Innovative Assessments
Student learning will be based on best-practice principles that put competencies at the core of
learning and assessment: What will students need to know and be able to do when they receive
their degree, and at what level of mastery? How will we make these determinations?
Learning Goals and
Outcomes
Evidence of Student
Learning
Learning Activities
& Resources
Best-practice principles in instructional design begin with competencies, or student learning
outcomes: start with learning outcomes, then determine assessment practices, and then develop
learning activities and resources.
Flexible Degrees will be based on mastery of competencies determined by departments offering
the degree. Assessment of mastery will be overseen by program faculty according to sharedgovernance policies.
Best practice dictates that competencies themselves are sequenced and modularized, with larger
conceptual areas composed of a variety of sub-competencies.
Flexible Routes to Achieve Mastery of Competencies
The FD model uncouples mastery of competencies from
delivery. Students can receive skill and knowledge from
anywhere – from traditional place-based courses, to online
material, to practical experiences, to structured internships
and service projects. What’s important is for students to
demonstrate mastery over program competencies.
By uncoupling mastery of competencies from delivery,
students can customize their education according to prior
learning and experiences, their time and effort, and their
interests and educational goals.
Competencies and Assessments Grounded in the Wisconsin
Idea
UW’s Flex Degrees will focus on competencies and assessments based on the Wisconsin Idea: the
idea that through education, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communities to solve problems
that are important to the state, the nation, and the world. Flex degrees will focus on areas of
strong need for economic growth and development. UW System’s aspirational Shared Learning
Goals will be used to direct the development of FD competencies.1
The range and scope of assessments will be developed to best capture the FD competencies – from
traditional course-based assessments, to rubric-based assessments of student work products, to
demonstrating skills and abilities in structured environments.
Please contact Aaron Brower (aaron.brower@uwex.edu; 608-262-6151) with comments
and feedback. More information can be found at [URL]
1
http://www.wisconsin.edu/assets/sites/growth_agenda/docs/2009-11/actionsteps/01_LearningGoals.pdf