How to Create and Manage Degree Programs in openSIS
Overview
A Degree Program is the foundation of the Graduation Requirements / Degree Audit module in openSIS. It represents the academic program that students are enrolled in and defines the overall structure used to evaluate graduation eligibility.
Examples of Degree Programs include:
- High School Diploma
- Diploma
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Associate Degree
- Certificate Program
Once a Degree Program has been created, administrators can organize its graduation requirements by creating Course Categories and assigning eligible courses to each category.
Why Create Degree Programs?
Degree Programs help institutions:
- Organize academic programs.
- Define graduation requirements.
- Group courses under a specific program.
- Track credit hour completion.
- Support Degree Audit.
- Monitor student progress toward graduation.
Every Course Category and graduation requirement must belong to a Degree Program.
Before You Begin
Before creating a Degree Program, determine:
- The name of the academic program.
- The graduation requirements for the program.
- The course categories that will be required.
- Whether the program uses Credit Hours, ECTS Credits, or both.
Planning the program structure beforehand makes setup easier.
How to Create a Degree Program
Step 1: Navigate to Graduation Requirements / Degree Audit
Go to:
The left panel displays all existing Degree Programs.
Step 2: Open Program Management
Click the Settings (⚙️) icon above the Degree Program list.
The Programs window opens, displaying all existing programs.
Step 3: Add a New Program
In the Program Name field, enter the name of the new academic program.
Examples:
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
High School Diploma
Certificate in Computer Science
Step 4: Save
Click the Add (+) icon to add the program to the list.
Then click Submit to save your changes.
The new Degree Program is now available and can be selected for graduation requirement configuration.
How to Edit a Degree Program
Administrators can rename existing Degree Programs whenever necessary.
Step 1
Open the Programs window.
Step 2
Locate the Degree Program you want to modify.
Step 3
Click the Edit icon beside the program.
Step 4
Update the program name.
Example:
Before:
BBA
After:
Bachelor of Business Administration
Step 5
Click Submit to save the updated program.
How to Delete a Degree Program
Programs that are no longer required can be removed.
Step 1
Open the Programs window.
Step 2
Locate the program.
Step 3
Click the Delete icon.
Step 4
Confirm the deletion.
The Degree Program is removed from the list.
Note: Before deleting a Degree Program, ensure it is no longer associated with Course Categories or active graduation requirements.Example Degree Program Structure
| Degree Program | Graduation Goal |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Complete required high school credits |
| MBA | Complete graduate business curriculum |
| Diploma | Complete diploma program requirements |
| Certificate Program | Complete certificate requirements |
Each program can have its own unique graduation structure.
What Happens Next?
After creating a Degree Program, the next step is to define its academic requirements.
For each program, administrators will:
- Create Course Categories.
- Specify Required Credit Hours.
- Specify Required ECTS Credits (if applicable).
- Assign eligible courses to each category.
Together, these components define what students must complete before graduating.
Best Practices
Use Clear Program Names
Use official program names recognized by your institution.
Avoid Duplicate Programs
Check existing programs before creating a new one.
Plan the Program Structure
Identify required course categories and credit requirements before configuration.
Keep Programs Updated
Rename or remove programs when academic offerings change.
Review Before Deleting
Verify that a program is no longer in use before removing it.
Common Questions
Can I create multiple Degree Programs?
Yes. Institutions can create as many Degree Programs as needed.
Can I edit the name of a Degree Program?
Yes. Program names can be updated at any time.
Can I delete a Degree Program?
Yes, provided it is no longer needed and is not associated with active graduation requirements.
What happens after creating a Degree Program?
You can begin configuring Course Categories, Required Credit Hours, Required ECTS Credits, and eligible courses for that program.
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