As learner expectations and workforce demands continue to evolve, new research released today by DeVry University has uncovered insights into adult learner preferences and characteristics related to competency-based education.

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DeVry launches DeVry-Keller Fast Track in response to shifting learner and workforce needs

DeVry launches DeVry-Keller Fast Track in response to shifting learner and workforce needs

The national study, Beyond Flexibility: What Today’s Learners Expect from Competency-Based Education, surveyed 600 prospective undergraduate and graduate students ages 20 to 59 across the U.S. who planned to enroll or return to school within the next two years. Conducted in spring 2026, the study explored expectations around competency-based education (CBE), flexibility, prior learning, academic support, technology and artificial intelligence. Among the key findings:

  • Structured flexibility is the new CBE expectation: Eighty-nine percent of prospective undergraduate and 88% of graduate students said work-life flexibility was a top factor influencing where they choose to enroll, regardless of instructional format. However, 38% of undergraduate and nearly half (49%) of graduate respondents said they need structured deadlines to stay on track, and 38% of undergraduate and 58% of graduate prospects preferred structured, instructor-led weekly classes.

  • Competency-based education could expand pathways to postsecondary education: Thirty-one percent of undergraduate prospects and 40% of graduate prospects said they would only enroll if a competency-based option were available.

  • Full-time workers and mid-career professionals are the strongest audiences for CBE: Seventy-one percent of full-time workers rated competency-based education “very appealing,” compared with 58% of part-time workers, and 63% of prospects ages 50 and older said they would be more likely to pursue a degree if their desired program were offered in a CBE format.

  • Parents demonstrated greater enthusiasm for CBE: Approximately 76% of parents rated CBE “very appealing,” compared with 62% of nonparents.

  • Learners value control and mastery more than technology: About one-third of participants chose messaging related to progressing by mastery or receiving credit for prior learning as being most likely to increase their interest in a CBE program, and the same percentage cited reliance on AI tools as a potential deterrent.

The findings point to important distinctions in the adult learner experience and how this audience’s preferences and educational needs have continued to evolve. These new insights are important considerations for the higher education industry as institutions seek to serve adults who are balancing education with careers, families and other responsibilities.

“Higher education is entering a new era in which learners expect greater agency in how they pursue a degree, while employers are placing greater emphasis on the skills graduates can demonstrably apply,” said Elise Awwad, president and CEO of DeVry University. “Our research adds an important dimension to that shift. Students want structured flexibility: the ability to build on what they already know and progress through demonstrated mastery, while retaining the faculty engagement and support that help them stay on course. We are excited to introduce DeVry-Keller Fast Track as another pathway shaped by those insights, expanding the options available to our learners while preserving the rigor, human connection and career relevance that matter to their success.”

The study comes as employers continue to place greater emphasis on demonstrated skills, a need that competency-based education is well-positioned to fulfill given its focus on mastery-based progression. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook 2026 survey, 70% of employers now use skills-based hiring, while the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found 78% of HR professionals say skills assessments have improved the quality of their organizations’ hires.

DeVry responds to changing learner needs with DeVry-Keller Fast Track

In response to those shifting learner and workforce needs, DeVry today launched DeVry-Keller Fast Track, a new AI-enhanced competency-based education pathway designed to expand access for working adult learners seeking greater flexibility without sacrificing academic support.

Beginning with the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program this fall, DeVry-Keller Fast Track will operate alongside DeVry’s traditional degree programs. Learners will enroll in 16-week subscription periods and progress by demonstrating mastery of workforce-relevant competencies aligned with the skills employers value.

While competency-based education is often associated with self-paced, independent learning, DeVry’s model intentionally combines learner flexibility with structured faculty engagement, AI-enhanced learning and personalized support through DeVry Care.

“We expect DeVry-Keller Fast Track to be more than just a new way to complete a degree, but rather a way to open higher education to working adults who may not see a traditional academic model as compatible with their lives,” said Jason Horne, chief strategy and transformation officer at DeVry University. “By offering competency-based education alongside our established programs, we give learners more choice while reaching people who might not otherwise pursue a degree.”

Learners prioritize mastery and experience as AI takes a greater role in education

In DeVry’s survey, the components of a CBE program that most resonated with prospective students related to their ability to progress through mastery and receive credit for prior learning. Few survey respondents found messaging related to AI to be a compelling reason to enroll, and almost one-third identified overreliance on AI as a concern. These findings suggest that while students value a learning experience that is technology-enabled, they are discerning about how and where technology is deployed.

DeVry-Keller Fast Track reflects that balance by combining AI-enhanced learning alongside faculty engagement, mentoring and personalized support. The approach builds on DeVry’s broader commitment to AI-enabled education while keeping faculty expertise and human connection central to the learner experience.

“Innovation isn’t about introducing technology for technology’s sake,” Horne added. “Learners want technology to make education more responsive and accessible while preserving human relationships that help them learn and grow. That’s the role AI plays in Fast Track – augmenting faculty expertise and personalized support while keeping the learner at the center of the experience.”

Adult learners value flexibility and structure to stay on track

While flexibility remains a priority for adult CBE learners, DeVry’s research found they want structure as well, a departure from many existing CBE programs that emphasize self-directed experiences. Although 86% of prospective graduate students said they could manage their time without strict deadlines, nearly half of graduate (49%) and 38% of undergraduates also said they need structured deadlines to stay on track, and 58% of graduate and 38% of undergraduates preferred instructor-led weekly classes. Those findings helped shape the university’s approach to pairing flexible pacing with faculty engagement, advising and ongoing learner support.

“The learner mindset is changing,” said Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer at DeVry University. “Adult learners increasingly expect education that builds on prior knowledge, provides flexibility around work and life, and delivers meaningful outcomes with strong academic support and structured milestones. Fast Track combines academic rigor, AI-enhanced learning, faculty mentorship, and personalized support to help learners demonstrate mastery while remaining connected to the people and resources that contribute to their success.”

The MBA will be the first DeVry-Keller Fast Track offering available to learners, with additional programs expected to follow. Learners will choose between established time-based instruction and a mastery-driven model designed around demonstrated competencies and workforce readiness.

To learn more about DeVry-Keller Fast Track, click here.

About DeVry University

DeVry University strives to close society’s opportunity gap and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online in Business, Healthcare and Technology. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org/). The university’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. To learn more, visit devry.edu.

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