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Programs (Optional)

Programs provide an additional curricular layer that allows institutions to measure learning outcomes across groups of courses or subjects that may span multiple areas of the Institutional Hierarchy. Programs do not change course or subject ownership within the hierarchy; instead, they enable outcome measurement across multiple programs when learning contributes to more than one area of study.

Understand What Programs Are

A Program represents a collection of courses or subjects used for outcomes assessment

  • Courses and subjects may be included in multiple programs

  • Programs do not own courses or subjects in the Institutional Hierarchy (the IH node owns the subject)

Use Programs to Support Cross-Program Assessment

Programs allow outcomes to be measured wherever learning contributes, without duplicating curricular structures.

  • A single subject or course can support multiple programs simultaneously

  • Example: A math course may contribute to a General Education program, a Mathematics program, and an Engineering program—and can be assessed within each of those programs, not only within the Department or Math that owns the Subject within the Institutional Hierarchy

Program-Level Outcomes & Assessments

Programs support full Outcomes functionality, including:

  • Creating or copying learning outcomes at the program level

  • Requesting assessment data or entering results directly at the program level

  • Reporting on outcomes performance across all contributing courses or subjects

  • Granular permissions for users

Things to Consider

  • Using Programs is optional and can be added to your curricular structure at any time. Institutions only need Programs when a course or subject must be assessed within more than one program.

  • Programs do not alter course or subject ownership in the Institutional Hierarchy. Instead, they create additional data pathways that support outcomes measurement beyond traditional departmental or organizational reporting structures.

  • Programs support how learning actually contributes across curricula—enabling institutions to assess shared learning outcomes (such as General Education or interdisciplinary programs) without restructuring their Institutional Hierarchy.

  • If your institution supports General Education, interdisciplinary programs, or shared curriculum across departments, consider using Programs early in implementation to reduce duplication and ensure outcomes are measured consistently across all applicable areas.

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