Competency‐based education: The employers' perspective of higher education

Abstract

Background: This article presents the results of a recent research study conducted to understand how employers viewed degrees earned through competency-­based ­education programs and, specifically, how employers perceived graduates from these programs for hiring. Methods: This two-­phase, sequential mixed methods study explored whether employers valued such degrees and whether they considered job applicants possessing credentials from competency-­based education programs to be equally academically prepared for the workplace as candidates who had graduated from traditional, credit-­ hour-­based programs. The participants in both phases of this study were human resource professionals and hiring managers from a range of business models, industries, and employee population sizes who were members of a targeted human resource organization. Findings: The number one finding of the study was the lack of familiarity that employers possess of the CBE model, but it is clear that employers have strong views of what they require from new hires and new college graduates. The research results also indicated that employers have an interest in learning more about the CBE model of education. Conclusions: Employers would like to have a voice in identifying what skills and competencies are needed by their workforces, and they believe it is in a college’s best interest to seek out their input. They have noted that credentials from competency-­based programs can be of value to their organizations if the competencies that a student masters are aligned with employer needs.