4.1 Nexus Credit Units (NCU) & Hours
Definition. Nexus Credit Unit (NCU) is the canonical workload metric for Nexus Academy.
- 1 NCU = 10 hours of total learner effort (direct instruction, labs, projects, assessment, and independent study).
- Typical ranges: NB: 0.2–0.4 NCU · MB: 0.6–0.8 NCU · MC: 1.2–2.0 NCU.
- Workload is established via design time estimates, pilot timing studies, and telemetry (xAPI/Caliper), then reviewed annually.
4.2 CEU/ECTS Advisory Mappings
To aid portability, we publish advisory conversions (recognition is at the discretion of receiving bodies):
- CEU: 1 CEU = 10 hours ⇒ 1 NCU ≈ 1 CEU.
- ECTS: 1 ECTS ≈ 25–30 hours ⇒ 1 NCU ≈ 0.33–0.40 ECTS.
- Program pages include indicative totals; official recognition depends on institutional policies.
4.3 CPD/CPE/PDUs (GARP/PRMIA/ISACA/PMI/BCI/IAEM)
Each course declares claimable continuing-education hours for major bodies (when applicable):
- Finance: GARP/PRMIA CPD (risk practice);
- Cyber/GRC: ISACA CPE;
- Project/Program: PMI PDUs;
- Continuity/Resilience: BCI CPD;
- Emergency Management: IAEM CEM/AEM credits.
Listings are claim-based unless we have a formal provider agreement. Course pages state whether pre-approval exists.
4.4 Time to Complete & Load Expectations
We classify workload to keep expectations transparent:
- Direct learning (DL): video/reading with checks (20–40%).
- Applied labs (AL): EO/GIS, dashboards, clause/trigger builds (30–50%).
- Independent study (IS): research, drafting artifacts (20–40%).
-
Assessment (AS): quizzes, oral defenses, red-team (10–20%).
Delivery modes publish a time window (e.g., “complete in 2–6 weeks”) while honoring self-paced mastery.
4.5 Badge Renewal & Continuing Education Rules
- NB/MB: no renewal; content changes are reflected in new revisions, but badges remain valid.
- MC: renewal invited when a MAJOR rev changes learning outcomes (short delta exam or artifact refresh).
- Programs (PC/AC/DIP): remain current if all underlying MCs meet the minimum accepted revisions; otherwise a targeted delta is offered.
- Renewal events and windows are shown on course/program pages and in the learner dashboard.
4.6 Transcript Model & Credit Banking
Transcript entries include: code, rev, title, hours/NCU, grade/result, artifact link/hash, date.
- Credit banking: NCUs from NB/MB/MC accumulate across streams; programs consume banked credits (plus capstone).
- Currency: transcripts display Current / Grace / Renewal Due statuses per credential.
4.7 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policies
We recognize equivalent competence via credentials or challenge assessment.
- Accepted anchors (examples): IRM, RIMS-CRMP, FRM/PRM, CRISC/Open FAIR, CERA, PMI-RMP, BCI, IAEM, ISO 31000 Lead RM.
- Evidence: certificate + verifiable ID; syllabi/outcomes or work portfolio when requested.
- Recency: ordinarily ≤ 7 years (domain-dependent).
- Caps: up to 50% of a program may be satisfied by RPL (capstones excluded).
- Decisions: Registrar issues determinations; appeals follow academic policy.
4.8 Challenge Exams & Waivers
Where formal proof is absent, learners may sit a proctored challenge exam or submit an artifact challenge project:
- Format: timed QZ + lab or oral defense aligned to course blueprint.
- Threshold: mastery ≥ 80%; one retake after cooling-off; third attempt requires advisor approval.
- Outcome: pass grants credit and badge at the current rev; fail has no transcript impact.
4.9 Equivalency Tables & External Mappings
We publish machine- and human-readable equivalencies to ease credit transfer:
- Standards: ISO 31000, Sendai, Basel/ISSB, SR 11-7, DORA/NIS2, GDPR/AI Act (course-level alignment objects).
- Competencies: ESCO/O*NET roles/skills; SFIA/NICE for tech roles.
- Education frameworks: EQF/NQF advisory levels; ECTS guidance.
- Artifacts to PIDs: public outputs may receive DOIs (Crossref/DataCite) to support academic recognition.
Equivalency tables are reviewed annually and versioned alongside course rev.
4.10 Use of Credits in Programs & Diplomas
Programs consume NCUs from completed MCs and assign additional capstone NCUs. Typical totals:
- PC (Professional Certificate): 6–9 NCU (≈ 60–90h) from 3–5 MCs + capstone (1–2 NCU).
- AC (Advanced Certificate): 12–15 NCU (≈ 120–150h) across advanced MCs + capstone (2–3 NCU).
- DIP (Diploma): 24–30 NCU (≈ 240–300h) with cross-stream integration + comprehensive defense (3–4 NCU).
- Rules: capstones must be taken within Nexus; cross-listed MCs count once; programs state minimum accepted revisions per requirement.
Result: NCUs make workload transparent, CEU/ECTS and CPD mappings support portability, and RPL/challenge routes ensure fair, fast recognition—while renewal mechanics keep credentials current, verifiable, and trusted across jurisdictions and sectors.