The University’s skills-mapped curriculum delivers early and ongoing value for students and employers

University of Phoenix is pleased to announce the launch of a new skills campaign highlighting its innovative programs designed to provide students with career-relevant skills in weeks, not years. The campaign is part of the University's ongoing commitment to aligning higher education with the evolving needs of the workforce. As part of this initiative, the University has released two compelling videos, “New Workforce” and “Those Who Don't’ Wait,” which provide a glimpse into how students can rapidly enhance their professional profiles and apply new skills immediately in their careers. The University’s commitment to a skills-mapped curriculum ensures that students benefit from their education throughout their courses, rather than just at graduation.

The labor market has shifted toward prioritizing skills to help improve job performance and pave the way for the future of talent retention and acquisition for workers. The shift towards skills-based hiring benefits workers and employers, as illustrated in the results of the 2024 University of Phoenix Career Institute® Career Optimism Index® study. According to the study, 74% of workers recognize the importance of continually acquiring new skills to stay ahead in their careers and highly value employer investment in their ongoing development.

University of Phoenix provides skills-mapped curriculum focused on the working adult learner in 100 percent of associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs open for new enrollment. Since September 2021, University of Phoenix has issued over 600,000 digital badges that demonstrate skills obtained in undergraduate, graduate, and professional development courses.

“Our skills campaign underscores our commitment to prioritizing skills acquisition as a core component of the learner’s journey,” states John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer. “By aligning our programs with skills that employers demand, we empower our students to gain practical, career-relevant skills in a matter of weeks. This innovative approach not only enhances their employability but also supports a more equitable era of skills-based hiring, where the focus is on what individuals can do rather than solely on their academic credentials.”

Woods was recently featured on the “Future of Education” podcast, where he emphasized that the University of Phoenix’s skills-mapping initiative has been a multi-year effort, integrated with a comprehensive career tools system. This includes a platform where students can search for jobs that match their unique skills profiles. He highlighted that while many students return to school aiming to improve their career prospects after graduation, the University's approach to skills-mapping is creating opportunities for students to gain value from their education at any stage of their journey.

Vice Provost of Colleges, Assessment and Curriculum for University of Phoenix, Doris Savron, MBA, appeared on the AACRAO podcast “Credential Chats,” to share the ways in which student and employer needs drive the University's approach to skills-mapping and digital badging. Savron also co-authored a white paper on establishing a skills ecosystem at a career-focused higher education institution. The white paper provides an overview of components critical to creating a career-focused skills ecosystem including cultivating industry sector relationships, mapping and aligning skills within curriculum, authentic assessment construction, contributions to a career support ecosystem and the role of Classification of Instructional Programs and Standard Occupational Classification codes by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

University of Phoenix works with labor market researchers including Lightcast, formerly Emsi Burning Glass, and experienced faculty in their fields, to identify, tag, and map employer sought-after skills in curriculum. Students’ progress in acquiring skills is made visible through their individual Skills Profile located within the Career Navigator. The Career Navigator is a career guidance platform that has strengthened the University ecosystem of skills-focused career planning support for students and alumni with more than 100,000 unique users engaging it since its launch in 2023.

Learn more here about skills-aligned learning at University of Phoenix.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html.

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