The goal of the United States Qualifications Framework is to benefit the learner, both domestically and abroad, by demystifying the educational landscape and bringing learners, educators, and employers together.
Why the United States needs a National Qualifications Framework
The benefits of having an established national qualifications framework are vast and proven via years of research and application .
Increase
Consistency, portability, and currency of single qualifications
Support
Learner progression and access to flexible pathways
Establish
Platform for strengthening cooperation and commitment both domestically and abroad
Improve
range of recognized learning forms
Grow
National reform policies and international collaboration
Build
Reference point for qualifications standards
Obstacles
Development of a National Qualifications Framework requires buy-in from all stakeholders.
Demands
Establishing a NQF can be technically, institutionally, and financially burdensome.
Mechanisms
Management and oversight of credentials
Agreements
The USQF will need quality assurance and development of accreditation.
Policies
Intended function and objectives of the framework must be continually reviewed.
About the USQF
The USQF is based on learning outcomes & core competencies.
The United States Qualification Framework (USQF) Advisory Council oversaw the design and
development of a proposed national qualifications framework to serve the interests of US learners,
qualification holders, educators, employers, licensing bodies, policy makers, and related stakeholders.
How was it developed?
Characteristics of the USQF
The following elements from previous models were incorporated and used to develop the framework.
Bloom’s taxonomy
Enabling
8 areas of learning outcomes per level
Based on the Degree Qualifications Profile
Includes research from the Beta American Credentials Framework
Email:
info@usqf.org