How should AAHEP mapping of courses to competencies be described?

• A. By general alignment statements
• B. By not requiring mapping
• C. By explicit mapping of courses to competencies with coverage and assessment for each competency
• D. By only listing competencies in a catalog

Answer: (C)

AAHEP expects that courses are tied to competencies in a precise, demonstrable way. The best approach is explicit mapping of each course to the competencies, showing both how the course covers each competency and how that coverage is assessed. This creates a clear path from what students learn to the specific competencies they must demonstrate mastery of, which is essential for accreditation reviews.

Coverage means detailing which parts of a competency are addressed in a course and to what depth, so evaluators can see that all facets of a competency are being taught across the curriculum. Assessment means specifying how student mastery of that competency is measured—through rubrics, performance tasks, exams, simulations, or other valid methods—and presenting the results or criteria used to determine competent performance. Together, this mapping provides traceability: you can verify that every competency is taught somewhere in the program and that there are concrete, documented ways students prove they have achieved it. It also supports ongoing improvement by making gaps or overlaps in coverage visible and actionable.

Vague general alignment statements, or not requiring mapping at all, don’t show how the curriculum actually builds the competencies, and listing competencies in a catalog without linking them to course content and assessments fails to demonstrate how students are being prepared to meet those competencies.