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Azusa Pacific University Global

APU Global

Ascend

Discover Ascend at APU Global – a mobile-first, self-paced competency-based education (CBE) program designed for busy professionals. Earn your degree faster with personalized learning and affordable tuition.

Ascend pathway

The Ascend Pathway Is

Mobile-first, competency-based education (CBE) allows you to earn your degree faster, with more flexibility, and much more affordably. You can complete coursework on mobile devices, fully on-the-go. As a busy professional, it is designed with you in mind.

100% Mobile

Every course is built on a mobile-first design. That means you can do all your coursework from your phone or tablet just as easily as you can from a laptop or desktop!

Personalized

You earn credit while building a portfolio of projects and real-world applications of knowledge. So if you can demonstrate your mastery based on previous schooling or work experience, you earn the credit and can move on!

Self-Paced

Speed up or slow down based on YOUR life. No more going too fast or too slow because of a pre-determined course schedule. Complete as much as you can during each 4-month subscription period.

Ultra-Affordable

Designed as an “all you can eat” subscription model, you can complete as much as you’re able to for a flat rate. No unnecessary charges. No wasted time. You pay as you go.

Explainer

What is competency-based education (CBE)?

Competency-based education is a learning approach that measures learning based on a student’s demonstration of understanding and skills – rather than based on time spent in class and achieving a passing grade on assignments. Students demonstrate their mastery of topics through projects and presentations, then move on to the next topic. Each new competency adds to the previous ones allowing for a self-paced building of mastery. If a student can demonstrate mastery of a competency based on previous schooling or work experience, then they are able to move on even more quickly.

Along the way, students build a portfolio of projects that demonstrate their competence and work-ready knowledge. In addition, in a CBE model, faculty become coaches rather than lecturers. They are there to clarify, assist, and give feedback. CBE is simply a different way of learning that is controlled by the student.

At APU Global, Ascend is that pathway.

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Is the Ascend pathway right for you?

Session-based programs

Ascend pathway

8-week sessions with weekly routines
Unstructured sessions and flexible routines
Weekly assignments with deadlines to make steady progress.
Set your own pace, and speed up or slow down as needed
Instructor-led courses, and discussions with classmates
Independent study, with faculty coaching as needed
Coursework required even with previous work experience.
Earn credit demonstrating mastery from previous schooling and/or work
Assignments, discussions, and grading to monitor progress.
Demonstrating mastery of skills through projects and presentations
Faculty feedback and a personal success coach.
Faculty as a coach/advisor when needed
All-you-can-learn subscription fees, pay as you go

Programs

Explore Ascend Programs at APU Global

Ascend program

Instructional Design & Technology

Master  the real-world skills required to be an emerging expert and work-ready in the field of instructional design.

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