Competency-Based Learning Modules
🔎 Project Overview
At the heart of WGU’s model is competency-based education (CBE) — students progress by demonstrating mastery, not by seat time. To scale this model effectively, WGU needed a library of research-backed, learner-centered modules that aligned directly with workforce skills and supported equitable outcomes.
I co-led the design of these Competency-Based Learning Modules, ensuring they were accessible, scalable, and deeply tied to both student needs and employer expectations.
🛠️ My Role
Co-led the development of CBE modules across disciplines.
Ensured all modules integrated inclusive design and accessibility standards.
Aligned module outcomes with workforce competencies in IT, Business, Health Care, and Education.
Partnered with SMEs, assessment developers, and learning designers to ensure seamless integration of content and assessment.
Embedded learner feedback into iterative design cycles.
📘 Deep-Dive Narrative
Traditional higher education often structures curriculum around time, but WGU’s model required a shift: every learning experience needed to be tied to demonstrable competencies.
To meet this need, I co-led the development of a set of Competency-Based Learning Modules. Each module included:
Clear learning outcomes mapped directly to workforce competencies.
Instructional content designed for multiple learning pathways.
Authentic assessments that let students demonstrate mastery at their own pace.
Accessibility and equity checks to ensure modules worked for all learners.
These modules provided consistency across programs while allowing flexibility for students. They also enabled WGU to scale more quickly, launching new programs with a foundation of competency-aligned learning resources.
The results were transformative: retention rates increased by 30%, and student surveys showed higher confidence in the relevance of their learning to real-world careers.
👥 Leadership in Action
This work required bringing together diverse experts — faculty, assessment developers, instructional designers, and researchers — to collaborate on a unified vision.
I facilitated design sprints and co-design sessions, ensuring that the learner voice was present alongside subject matter expertise. By championing accessibility and inclusion, I helped ensure the modules worked for all students, not just the average learner.
As one team member shared:
“Molly made sure that every module wasn’t just academically sound, but truly learner-centered. She pushed us to ask: how will this support student mastery and success in the real world?”
✨ Key Outcomes
Created competency-aligned modules used across multiple disciplines.
Boosted student retention by 30%.
Improved consistency and scalability of WGU’s curriculum design.
Strengthened WGU’s reputation as a leader in competency-based education.
