More than 4,000 students have graduated from the University of Phoenix’s competency-based degree programs since their launch in 2020. These programs include the Master of Business Administration (MBA-CB), Master of Health Administration (MHA-CB), Master of Information Systems (MIS-CB), and RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN-CB). The university designed these offerings to help working adults use their existing skills and experience to complete degrees more quickly, with support from practitioner faculty.
“Competency-based education empowers working adults to translate their experience into progress,” said John Woods, Ph.D., Provost and Chief Academic Officer at University of Phoenix. “These programs are built to recognize what students already know, and help them build new, career-relevant skills in a way that fits their lives. Crossing the four-thousand graduate mark is a testament to the strength of this model and the determination of our students.”
Since opening enrollment for these programs less than five years ago, University of Phoenix has reported 4,184 graduates.
“This milestone reflects the success of a strategic approach that puts learners first. By designing programs around real-world competencies and continuously refining them through learner feedback, we’ve created a pathway that is both rigorous and responsive,” said Marc Booker, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Strategy at University of Phoenix. “As we continue to evolve models like competency-based education, our focus remains on empowering learners with flexible, transparent pathways that honor their experiences and meets adult learners where they are at in balancing their life’s priorities while also saving them time and money.”
University of Phoenix is part of the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) as a CBE Champion tier member. This network brings together organizations developing educational models aimed at meeting learners’ needs and supporting career advancement.
Donzella Campbell, currently earning her Master of Health Administration through one such program at University of Phoenix, described her journey as both challenging and motivating. “Starting this journey last year in November with a seven-month-old baby and a seven-year-old son was not easy,” she shared. “But I looked to them for my motivation; I wanted to show them that no matter the circumstances, you can follow your dreams and push through even when you can’t see the finish line.” Campbell added: “I wanted to show them how important it is to believe in yourself and always strive for success in everything that you do. With that mentality, and having them as my motivating factors, I am making it to the finish line. I owe it all to them and to University of Phoenix.”
The university received recognition for its work in competency-based education by winning a Catalyst Award in 2023 for excellence in program development. The Teaching & Learning award acknowledged efforts by various teams within the institution who worked together to transition traditional academic degree programs into credit-based CBE delivery models—allowing some graduate degrees to be completed in under one year for less than $11,000.
Alongside its competency-based MBA program—which can be finished online within 12 months—the university continues offering its traditional MBA program taking about 16 months. Both formats are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; they are fully online with faculty averaging 28 years’ industry experience. In the traditional track students take one six-week course at a time; those enrolled in competency-based tracks may take multiple courses simultaneously.
All competency-based programs are mapped to specific skills sets and offer digital badging so graduates can share achievements online or with employers. The MHA-CB program costs $300 per credit hour and can also be completed within 12 months.
