Specialized Knowledge

Definition: Specialized knowledge includes a range of factual, theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as competencies and skills in a particular discipline or profession.

Students use their specialized knowledge to understand the field and its interconnectedness and limits.

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  • What are my accomplishments in my area?
  • What skills and competencies have I gained?
  • What different techniques and approaches have I learned over time?
  • What are some of the theoretical concepts that go along with the practices in my area?
  • What are some of the principles involved in my knowledge? How have these principles impacted the ways I think about or use my knowledge?
  • When I apply my knowledge, what are the reasons behind its application?
  • What are the historical roots of my area? How have these impacted the field? How has it changed over time?
  • What do I understand now that I did not understand when I first started learning about my area?
  • What is new and exciting in my field?
  • What main ideas would I need to teach someone else so that they can learn this area?

  • certificates, licenses
  • certifications of completion or participation
  • badges
  • non-credit courses: open courses, MOOCs, workshops
  • reports, publications, charts, graphs
  • analyses
  • multi-media examples: videos, images, audio
  • work samples
  • awards

  • builds on prior knowledge, skills and competencies
  • demonstrates use of broad and specific knowledge, skills and competencies
  • demonstrates use of relevant theories, methodologies, practices and quantitative applications
  • analyzes information and constructs a coherent argument to address concerns and/or solve problems
  • demonstrates an awareness of the changing boundaries of knowledge in a specific field.

  • demonstrates advanced knowledge of and critical insight into the theories, principles and practices in a field
  • applies appropriate methods, tools, and quantitative applications for various purposes and settings
  • evaluates factual knowledge and uses appropriate strategies to solve problems in complex and varied applications
  • integrates and synthesizes knowledge gained from various sources
  • demonstrates an awareness of innovations in the field.