Implementing Hansen’s Proficiencies

The authors describe the framework their department has adopted to incorporate the attainment of Hansen’s (1986) proficiencies into the curriculum. Major changes include the identification of tools students should be able to use to complete specific activities, significant changes in prerequisites for upperdivision courses, and the development of a capstone experience designed to bring together the various tools the student has been introduced to as he or she proceeds through the major. They believe that the design characteristics of their capstone experience promote the achievement of Hansen’s proficiencies, and the framework described here could be easily adopted by other departments.