South Texas College (STC) in Harlingen has taken a significant step in modernizing its technical education offerings by introducing Competency-Based Education (CBE) courses for several programs. The new approach aims to accelerate degree completion and better align skills with workforce needs.
The CBE model has been implemented for the following programs:
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR)
- Electrician Technology
- Construction Supervision
Under this system, students can complete courses in seven weeks instead of the traditional 16-week semester. The flexibility allows learners to progress at their own pace, potentially finishing their degrees faster.
Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Dean of Technical Programs at STC, explained, “CBE recognizes that many of our students come with prior knowledge and work experience. This model allows them to apply that expertise and move quickly through material they’ve already mastered.”
The college has also partnered with local industries to ensure the competencies taught align with current job market demands. This collaboration is expected to improve employment prospects for graduates.
Early feedback from students has been positive. John Martinez, an HVACR student, shared, “I’m able to balance my full-time job with my studies much more easily now. The focused, shorter courses really work well for my schedule.”
STC plans to evaluate the success of these initial CBE offerings and consider expanding the model to other technical programs in the future.
