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Haverhill and Lawrence, MA (August 12, 2025) — Northern Essex Community College continues to be a leader in academic innovation with the addition of two more programs offered entirely in the Competency-Based Education model. CBE is an approach that focuses on a student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of specific skills and knowledge. This allows students to progress through coursework as soon as they show mastery of the required competencies.

This fall, students majoring in Business Management and those seeking a Healthcare Technician Certification will be able to complete their requirements using all CBE classes. NECC also offers an Early Childhood Education (ECE) associate degree, an Early Childhood Director Certificate, and an Early Childhood Foundational Certificate program in the CBE model. When it was launched in 2022, NECC became the first public college in the country to offer an ECE CBE associate degree. Many students in other degree and certificate programs can complete their general education requirements for the program in the CBE modality, with a full block of MA general education foundation courses now offered in CBE.

Early Childhood Education students at Northern Essex

“It is immensely rewarding to see how far we’ve come with our CBE offerings, and to know these additional programs will allow more students to complete their degrees and college certificates,” says NECC Dean of Business and Professional Studies Jody Carson. “The CBE model can save students time, provide learners with maximum flexibility, and give them a unique sense of ownership in their career and educational journeys.”

“The launch of our Competency-Based Education Healthcare Technology program with a focus on Phlebotomy/EKG, reflects the College’s commitment to innovative, student-centered learning,” says Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson. “This flexible model allows students to demonstrate mastery of critical skills at their own pace while ensuring alignment with real-world healthcare standards. We’re proud to offer a pathway that prepares job-ready professionals to meet urgent workforce needs in our local healthcare community.”

More About CBE

Competency-based education addresses the needs of adults and other non-traditional learners, allowing them increased flexibility to start and complete courses online at their own pace. Many might already be working in the fields they are studying. CBE allows those students to demonstrate what they already know and accelerate through their coursework, then take more time when they are less familiar with the content or life gets busy.

All CBE courses are online, however, some may require in-person practicums. A range of supports for CBE courses is available on campus and online to help students succeed.

A History of CBE at NECC

In the fall of 2016, Northern Essex offered eight CBE courses, primarily in technology and engineering. The faculty in the ECE program began developing courses in the CBE model in the spring of 2017, adding a new certificate and later developing the complete ECE Associate Degree program.  This work is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and its Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

Any student may take CBE general education courses regardless of major or area of study. To find CBE classes, use the course search tool. More information about CBE at NECC can be found on the webpage.