WGU outlines competency‑based educator‑preparation model; commission to review for future agenda

Western Governors University (WGU) staff presented the university’s competency‑based education model to the Commission on Professional Standards in Education. The presentation described program structure, faculty roles, and how WGU measures competency rather than seat time.

Dr. James Kosinski, lead senior school compliance advisor at WGU, told commissioners that WGU uses six‑month subscription terms (flat tuition per term), competency-aligned courses and assessments tied to state and national standards, and a disaggregated faculty model that separates curriculum design, assessment development, competence evaluation, instruction, and program mentorship. WGU said the model is asynchronous and designed to personalize pacing: candidates can accelerate or slow down based on mastery; the university reported an average time-to-completion for initial teacher preparation of about 13 months.

Kosinski emphasized that WGU’s competencies cover knowledge, skills and dispositions and rely on rigorous psychometrics for assessments. He described program mentors as a key support role that stays with candidates from admission through completion. The presentation also addressed common myths about competency‑based education (for example, that it is only skills‑based or lacks rigorous faculty involvement) and provided advice for institutions considering the model.

Commissioners praised the presentation and asked the department to schedule additional institutional presentations; the department listed competency‑based learning for educator preparation programs as a future agenda item along with other items such as registered apprenticeship programs and a Praxis study report from WestEd. No vote or formal approval was taken on competency‑based licensure at this meeting.