The UW Flexible Option is the University of Wisconsin System’s version of a self-paced (progressing at the individual student’s own speed through a UW Flex faculty-led highly structured program), non-term, direct assessment competency-based education model. It does not rely on credits, courses, or semesters.

UW Flex is a partnership across UW System institutions. UW-Extension provides administrative, operational and academic design support. Faculty come from across UW. Degrees and certificates are awarded by several UW institutions.

By design, UW Flex:

• Targets nontraditional adult learners, including those with some college but no degree.
• Emphasizes what students know and can do rather than “seat time” in courses.
• Integrates best practice educational principles.
• Blends technology with human interaction.

UW Flex allows students to:

• Start UW Flex programs any month.
  
• Work at their own pace through a faculty-led highly structured program, with support from an Academic Success Coach.
  
• Build upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities they’ve already gained through prior coursework, military training, on-the-job training, or other learning experiences.
• Progress by demonstrating mastery of learning outcomes, assessed through a range of rigorous assignments and projects.
• Transfer competencies to credit-based courses.

Traditional Higher Education	UW Flexible Option
Fixed term of study such as a semester	3-month subscription periods, new start every month
Pace set by semester-based course	Self-paced (for UW Flex, meaning individual students progress at their own pace through a faculty-led highly structured program)
Progress made by completing courses with passing grades	Progress made by demonstrating mastery of student learning outcomes (competencies) through rigorous assessments
Faculty members instruct students in course-based settings.	UW Flex has no courses. Faculty members set up the educational environment via the curation of materials, development of assessments and rubrics, scaffolding and sequencing, and evaluation of student work.
Students follow the course syllabus.	Students follow an Individualized Learning Plan.
Advising varies by institution, campus and program.	Each student is assigned an Academic Success Coach who serves as a proactive mentor, resource specialist, problem-solver and student advocate.