Operationalizing competency-based education in postgraduate professional programs. A case study of the MAS vocational, study and career counselling
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Authors
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2026
Type of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
04B - Conference paper
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Parent work
12th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’26)
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Volume
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
427-434
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Publisher / Publishing institution
Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València
Place of publication / Event location
Valencia
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Abstract
Competency-based education (CBE) has gained increasing relevance in higher education as institutions seek to enhance the professional relevance and transparency of learning outcomes. This contribution examines how the core principles of competency-based education are operationalized at the program level in a postgraduate professional program. Using a qualitative case study design, the study analyzes the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Vocational, Study and Career Counselling at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. Data were collected through document analysis of program descriptions and participant evaluations and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings identify key elements of competency-based education, including alignment with an externally defined competency profile, experiential learning formats, integrated assessment practices, and program coherence across academic and professional learning settings. Implications for the design and leadership of competency-based postgraduate programs are discussed.
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Event
12th International Conference on Higher Education Advances
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
15.06.2026
Conference end date
18.06.2026
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Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
peer-reviewed
Open access category
Diamond
License
Citation
Jansen, A., & Radvila, A. (2026). Operationalizing competency-based education in postgraduate professional programs. A case study of the MAS vocational, study and career counselling. 12th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’26), 427–434. https://doi.org/10.4995/head26.2026.21461