{"id":601,"date":"2012-11-28T16:09:32","date_gmt":"2012-11-28T22:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwpowerswi.com\/?p=601"},"modified":"2015-07-01T08:24:05","modified_gmt":"2015-07-01T13:24:05","slug":"uw-system-unveils-first-flexible-option-degree-programs","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/uw-system-unveils-first-flexible-option-degree-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"UW System unveils first Flexible Option degree programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students will demonstrate competency based on variety of learning experiences<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

MILWAUKEE, Wis. \u2013 The University of Wisconsin System announced today the first degree programs that will be offered under its innovative UW Flexible Option<\/strong> starting in Fall 2013. The UW System is expected to be the first public university system in the nation to offer this kind of competency-based, self-paced learning option.<\/p>\n

The UW Flexible Option is designed for nontraditional adult students who often come to college with substantial learning acquired in a variety of venues. Regent Vice President Michael J. Falbo, who opened the conference, said on behalf of the Board of Regents, \u201cAs we roll out the first UW degrees that will be offered in the new \u2018Flex Option\u2019 format, we demonstrate our commitment to serving students in a truly innovative, responsive manner.\u00a0 I know how important it is to serve this segment of our population.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"UW<\/a>
UW Regent Vice President Michael Falbo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Built by UW faculty members who oversee traditional degree offerings at the 26 UW campuses, the new UW Flexible Option will allow students to earn college credit by demonstrating knowledge they have acquired through coursework, military training, on-the-job training, and other learning experiences. Students will make progress towards a degree by passing a series of assessments that demonstrate mastery of required knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n

UW System President Kevin P. Reilly emphasized the central, key role of the UW faculty in the Flexible Option. Reilly said, \u201cOur UW professors are the guarantors of quality in our traditional classroom-based programs, and \u2018traditional\u2019 online programs, and they will play the same role with this competency-based model.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the 21st<\/sup>-century face of the Wisconsin Idea,\u201d said Reilly.<\/p>\n

UW-Milwaukee<\/strong> will offer four degree programs and one certificate program:<\/p>\n