; competency-based education program (A) Competency The term competency means the knowledge, skill, abilities and behaviors needed for a particular field of study or work-based context. (B) Competency-based education program The term competency-based education program means a postsecondary program, including one defined under section 481(b)(4), that provides competency-based education for which the accrediting agency or association of the institution of higher education offering such program has approved the program in accordance with such standards— (i) measures academic progress and credential attainment by the assessment of student learning in lieu of, or in addition to, credit or clock hours; (ii) measures and assesses such academic progress and attainment in terms of a student’s mastery of competencies by identifying what students know through criterion referenced or performance-based assessment; (iii) provides the educational content, activities, support, and resources necessary to enable students to develop and attain the competencies that are required to demonstrate mastery of such competencies in which instructors are responsible for providing academic assistance, when needed