C-BEN grew out of the idea that higher education should focus on true competency—what an individual knows and can do—rather than on proxies for knowledge and skills. We believed that by building a network committed to growing competency-based education, we could make postsecondary education more flexible, responsive, and valuable for learners and employers.

Seven years ago, a founding group of institutions and public systems came together to launch C-BEN. Since then, the network has grown to include colleges and universities, state systems, corporations, and service providers dedicated to realizing the full potential of competency-based learning. Our work is grounded by a focus on quality, evidence-based practice, and outcomes.

Together, we’re building and growing a new approach to learning that works better for both students and the people who ultimately employ them. We hope you’ll join us in this work.