The Purdue Polytechnic Institute's new transdisciplinary studies in technology program, the University's first competency-based degree, was featured on Inside INdiana Business Television.

Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s competency-based education program has cleared its final hurdle, becoming the first baccalaureate program of its kind in the nation.

Gary Bertoline, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will speak about “You Are What You Know: The Move Toward Competency-Based Programs” during the fourth annual U.S. News STEM Solutions conference.

The Bachelor of Science in Transdisciplinary Studies in Technology was approved by the Purdue University Board of Trustees April 10. It is aimed at preparing students both for their first jobs and for new tasks they’ll perform decades later.

"I was given work that I had no idea how to do," first-year student Peter Starr candidly admitted to 150 faculty and staff. "After a while, I realized that was the whole point. It forced me to go to [my professors] to ask good questions [and] to learn on my own."

Starr described his experiences in the new competency-based education program at the College of Technology Dean's Forum on October 31.

Purdue Polytechnic's "intriguing new ideas" are "well-matched to the moment," he says

In a forum with faculty and staff, Purdue President Mitch Daniels expressed strong support for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and the College of Technology's transformative efforts.

"Many of you have come forward with very intriguing new ideas about a new pedagogy and a new direction for this college, and I have become enormously excited about it," President Daniels said.

Purdue University president Mitch Daniels awarded $500,000 to the College of Technology and Purdue Polytechnic Institute to create the University's first competency-based degree program. The announcement was made during a Sept. 4 news conference on campus.