Eau Claire (WQOW) - The UW school system could speed up
the process for some students.
Gov. Scott Walker announced a new
program that allows students to earn credit based on what they already know.
"As I understand
it, the new UW flexible degree will be targeting working adults, particularly
those adults who have completed some university credit," said UW-Stout Interim Provost Mary Hopkins-Best.
The new flexible degree program
governor walker unveiled Tuesday is designed to help more non-traditional
students earn degrees.
"In a process of assessment
for prior learning, individuals might submit a portfolio, for example, that
might include actual work samples. Faculty then would review the materials and through
those various processes then, be able to award credit for learning that had
already occurred," Hopkins-Best said.
Eliminating unnecessary coursework
helps people learn at a pace that fits their lifestyle and checkbook.
"Instead of
individuals enrolling for example in a 3 credit course that would need to be
completed over sixteen weeks, courses would be broken down into smaller units
or modules and the individual would be able to progress through those modules
at their own pace," said Hopkins-Best.
"They cannot see
themselves at all being in a conventional educational setting for financial
reasons as well, this will be a very, very attractive option for them," UW-Eau Claire Provost Dr. Patricia Kleine said.
How it all affects the bottom line
for universities however, is still unknown.
The financial piece
still needs to be worked out. But typically what happens is there's a price,
some type of fee for taking the exam. The fee will always be less, markedly
less, than taking the courses or taking the modules," said Kleine.
