Tempo Competency-Based Learning:

Tempo Learning® by Walden University is a way for students to earn their degree by demonstrating what they know, when they know it. Tempo Learning® allows students to have more control over their schedule and even impact the length of time their degree takes and total cost of their program.

The Tempo Learning® experience is competency-based, meaning you progress by demonstrating knowledge of a subject, when you are ready. It is a different way to complete your Walden degree vs. the traditional course-based experience.

Competencies are the skills, knowledge, and abilities a student needs to be successful in their chosen career field. When choosing to do a degree in the Tempo Competency-Based Learning format, students demonstrate competencies instead of completing courses. This ensures that every graduate can show their current or future employer the specific skills and abilities they’ve learned in their Walden degree program.

Competency Assessments are how students demonstrate their achievement of a specific competency. Assessments can take many forms - work-based projects, short papers, planning documents - and usually mirror the type of work that you would create and apply on the job. Learning resources, knowledge checks and quizzes are available to help you learn new material or reinforce what you already know to make sure you're ready to attempt the assessment.

In competency-based education, the goal is to demonstrate the specific competencies that you've learned. That's why you have multiple attempts to achieve each competency, with detailed feedback from faculty to help you along the way.

All graduates of a Walden University program receive the same degree, regardless of the format they use to complete their program. At Walden University, several programs now offer two ways to learn—the traditional, course-based format or a competency-based format (offered in the Tempo Learning® platform). The learning outcomes and degree are the same regardless of which format is right for you.

You’ve enrolled as a Walden student using Tempo—now what?

As a new Tempo Learning® student, you will be introduced to your dedicated Academic Coach. During the first two weeks of your program, the Academic Coach will work hand in hand with you to create a customized learning plan that will help you achieve your goals. You will meet with your Coach regularly throughout your program to ensure that you have the information you need to be successful, from answering questions about the platform to helping you find resources. As you begin each new competency, you will be introduced to your faculty member who will engage with you to share their knowledge and expertise and provide feedback to ensure you’re learning what you need to be successful in the program as well as in your career.

Tempo Learning® offers flexibility that fits your schedule - there are no set weekly deadlines, just a minimum number of credits to complete during each three-month subscription period. You have the ability to speed up or slow down as your time or knowledge allows. This means that after you complete the minimum requirements, you can complete as many additional competencies as you are able to within each 3-month subscription term. Further, you have control over what you learn, when. You can take competencies in almost any order and apply that knowledge right away. Need to prepare for a new project or endeavor? Skip to the competencies in your program that will give you the knowledge you need, when you need it.

Once you feel confident in your knowledge, you can attempt the competency assessment associated with each competency. You will have multiple attempts at each competency–the point is to demonstrate that you now understand skills or knowledge, not if you master the assessment on the first try. If you don’t achieve competency on the first attempt, you will receive prompt and detailed feedback from faculty, giving you pointers and guidance to support you along the way.

You’ll continue to enroll in three-month subscription terms until you complete your program, meeting with your Academic Coach at the beginning of each term and regularly throughout.

Tempo Learning® is a custom-paced learning experience – that means that you can learn at the pace that is right for you. With no set weekly deadlines, you can speed up or slow down as your time or knowledge allows. Time to completion therefore varies for each student, based on their available time, experience, and personal goals - your enrollment specialist can give you an idea of how long a specific program may take you.

Tempo Learning® is a custom-paced learning experience – that means that you can learn at the pace that is right for you. With no set weekly deadlines, you can speed up or slow down as your time or knowledge allows. Time to completion therefore varies for each student, based on their available time, experience, and personal goals - your enrollment specialist can give you an idea of how long a specific program may take you.

You can use your real-life experience and prior knowledge to demonstrate what you already know through competency assessments. By applying what you already know, you can accelerate progress to potentially save time and money.

Accreditation is a mark of quality. Walden has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1990. The HLC is one of the six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Tempo Learning platform is accredited by HLC for each program where it is offered. In addition, many Tempo Learning programs have industry accreditation related to the program discipline or industry – you can find these highlighted on the specific degree pages.

Walden faculty members engage proactively in your learning, sharing their expertise to clarify concepts or provide additional information to ensure you gain the knowledge you need to impact your career. With each competency, you’ll work with experienced Walden faculty members who offer extended support and guidance on content and learning support tools, such as embedded resources, short quizzes, and knowledge checks. Though you have the ability to work independently and at your own pace, faculty are always easily accessible.