Walden’s Tempo Learning^® format is an alternative to the traditionally structured learning experience. It’s competency-based, meaning you progress by demonstrating knowledge and skills in a certain subject once you’ve mastered them. With Tempo Learning^®, you have more control over your schedule and the ability to impact the total length and cost of your program.

Competencies are the skills, knowledge, and abilities you need to be successful in your chosen field. With Tempo Learning, you demonstrate competencies and complete assessments. This ensures you can show your current or future employer the specific skills and abilities you’ve mastered in your Walden degree program.

Tempo Learning^® is a subscription-based learning format. Program cost is based on the competencies you need to complete and how many you complete in each three-month subscription period. An Enrollment Specialist can help you determine program costs based on your preferred pace and goals.

Tempo Learning^® is a custom-paced learning experience—so you can learn at a pace that’s right for you. With no set weekly deadlines, you can speed up or slow down as needed. Your time to completion depends on your preferred pace, available time, and personal goals. A Walden Enrollment Specialist can give you an idea of how long a specific program may take you based on your needs.

Walden faculty members take an active role in your learning, sharing their expertise to clarify concepts or provide additional information. Their goal is to ensure you gain the knowledge you need to advance your goals. Throughout your studies, you'll work with experienced faculty who will guide you through learning resources and provide valuable feedback on assessments.

Flexibility has many aspects. All of Walden's programs have built-in flexibility in the sense that they are offered online and do not typically require you to be in a particular place at a particular time. The Tempo Learning format offers additional flexibility since it does not have preset deadlines, allowing you to control your pace and schedule.

While Tempo Learning offers flexible pacing, you should plan to spend 15 to 20 hours per week to make continual progress in your program. You can accelerate by spending more time and/or by leveraging what you already know to complete assessments more quickly.

The Tempo Learning format can be considered self-paced since you can complete competencies and submit assessments on your own schedule. There are minimum requirements for progression and participation to remain enrolled in Tempo Learning. Talk to a Walden Enrollment Specialist for more information about program requirements.

Below are some key differences between the Tempo Learning® and course-based formats:

• Pacing and control: Tempo Learning® is a self-paced, competency-based education format. This allows you to advance by mastering specific skills and knowledge rather than spending a fixed amount of time in courses. You can accelerate your degree by finishing as many competencies as possible within a subscription period. If you already know a subject well, you can prove your knowledge and move on immediately.
• Cost efficiency: Because Tempo Learning® uses a flat-rate subscription model, you can potentially lower the total cost of your degree by completing more credits in a shorter amount of time. Additionally, there are often no extra charges for books during the subscription period.
• Support system: While both formats offer faculty support, Tempo Learning® provides a personal Academic Coach to help you stay motivated and navigate the self-paced environment.

Walden students are drawn to the Tempo Learning® format for the flexibility it offers them as they balance work, family, and other commitments. They value the fact that with no weekly assignment deadlines, they can move at their own pace—speeding up when life allows or slowing down when things get busy. The subscription-style tuition, billed in three-month terms, makes costs more predictable and manageable. Students also appreciate having a dedicated Academic Coach available to help them stay motivated and on track throughout their self-paced degree program.