Competency-based instruction refers to specially designed courses that are based on mastery of competencies, where students demonstrate achievement of individual competencies, knowledge, or skills before they move on to the next competency. Such courses typically have a flexible timeframe for the learning of the competencies, allowing students to progress at a faster pace than in a traditional course format. Students will not progress to the next course until they demonstrate achievement of every competency and skill in the current course as they progress through their education.