What is a competency unit equivalent to?

A competency unit is generally considered to be equivalent to one semester credit hour of learning. This means that for each competency unit earned, students have demonstrated mastery of a specific skill or knowledge area amounting to the educational equivalent of one semester's worth of academic work. This structure enables assessments of a student's knowledge and skills regardless of the time spent learning those competencies, focusing instead on the outcomes achieved. This approach aligns well with competency-based education models, emphasizing mastery over the traditional credit hour system.