Guidelines are presented for an approach to specification of competencies appropriate to Extended Degree Programs, i.e., the course or program translation approach. Program designers begin by identifying a number of courses or curriculum areas, then deductively reducing them to competency statements of greater specificity until instructional…

Empire State College (ESC), a statewide college without a campus, requires Nontraditional concepts of faculty, since their role as mentor in a contractual learning situation is more diverse than that of a traditional faculty member. The ESC mentor role involves several activities: advisement, intellectual development, evaluation, college…

The history of Pioneer Community College (Kansas City, Missouri) is described, as is its modular, competency-based innovative curriculum. Although the college has no campus, no set curriculum, and no full-time faculty, it expects a spring 1976 enrollment of 6000 students. (NHM)

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University offers external degree programs for adult learners using nontraditional study. The competency-based programs described include credit given for the educational background and relevant career-life experiences of registered nurses in Michigan. (Author/LBH)

A report on the status of the external degree in nursing, the article describes its progress to date, the processes involved, the clinical performance examination, and follow-up studies. (Author/EA)

The merger of an innovative private college (New College of Sarasota) into a state institution is described. The instruction contract, innovative approach, and academic quality has been maintained, but the number of students in off-campus programs has declined. Reasons for the decline are discussed. (Author/LBH)

During the past three years, Santa Fe Community College (Florida) has designed and implemented an experimental competency-based program in human services training with a specialization in substance abuse counseling that meets the needs of atypical adult students and also the accountability demands of the academic community. Both a residential…

Some of the problems encountered in nursing arise out of the multiplicity of preservice educational programs and the predominance of registered nurses (R.N.s) who are prepared below the baccalaureate degree level. To facilitate the efforts of nurses already in practice to earn a bachelor's degree, the Extended Degree Program in Nursing (ENURS) of…

Nontraditional, external degree components of the IPCD (Institute for Personal Career Development) packages are competency based in anticipation of the fulfillment of personal and career objectives rather than for the fulfillment of traditional classroom objectives. (ABM)

A study guide to assist a candidate preparing to take the New York State College Proficiency and Regents External Degree Examinations is presented. This booklet offers suggestions on how to successfully complete an independent study project learning to do tasks normally performed by a teacher. The guide includes; preparing for independent study,…

This technical report attempts to (1) provide information on issues and factors involved in analyzing extended degree costs; (2) provide brief explanation of how cost-related tools have been used in allocation of resources in similar degree programs; (3) indicate the types of information that are needed in making cost analysis of the extended…

The structure and budget for a proposed center for nontraditional learning are delineated. Establishment of sponsored and unsponsored divisions is advocated. The center would help students determine life goals, learning goals, and learning styles. Development of a credentialing procedure for unsponsored learning is described. (Author/LBH)

Suggests alternatives to traditional methods of "dispensing" higher education to lifelong learners, focusing on changing teacher responsibilities, older college students, crediting experiential learning, extending services to private and public agencies, and learning contracts. Cites two examples of using contract learning. (JM)

Empire State College (ESC) has an interest in following the progress of its recent graduates in the world of work as well as discovering what happens to those graduates wishing to continue their education. To obtain this information a survey was conducted of all graduates and additional data analyzed that was contained in each graduate's file.…

Nontraditional education is based on three basic tenets: (1) a student should have responsibility for, and control over, his own education; (2) a student's education should be directed toward the acquisition of competencies rather than the accumulation of credits; and (3) traditional limits of time and space should not constrict student…