PACE Competency-Based Education

Lewis and Clark now offers competency-based education (CBE) degree pathways through our Performance Assessed Competency Education (PACE) program. The program awards college credits for mastery of skills rather than time in the classroom.

Currently offered alongside a traditional credit-hour pathway in our Welding Technology program and through other classes listed below, PACE offers additional flexibility for students, allowing them to work on their own time and at their own pace to comprehend the course material and practice their skills. Instructors often facilitate and guide learners through the material, as well as evaluate their progress.

Rather than completing a course in 8 or 16 weeks, you complete a course when you've demonstrated a mastery of a clearly defined set of competencies (skills) associated with that course.

Often, our PACE students can move through their program at a quicker pace, especially if they already have some knowledge or familiarity with the subject. Competency-based programs can recognize prior learning regardless of where, when, or how that learning took place.

Courses with a PACE option

Lewis and Clark is working on additional PACE pathways in other programs. To learn more, contact Dr. Kate Kessler.