Overview

After creating a Degree Program, the next step is to organize its graduation requirements into Course Categories. Each category represents a group of courses that students must complete to satisfy part of the program.

For every Course Category, administrators can define:

• Required Credit Hours
• Required ECTS Credits (if applicable)
• Eligible Courses

This structure allows openSIS to accurately track a student's academic progress and determine whether all graduation requirements have been met.

Why Use Course Categories?

Most academic programs contain different types of course requirements.

Instead of listing every course individually, Course Categories organize related courses together.

For example, an MBA program might include:

Students must complete the required credits within each category before graduating.

Before You Begin

Before creating Course Categories, ensure that:

• A Degree Program has already been created.
• Required courses have been created in openSIS.
• Your institution has defined graduation requirements.
• Required Credit Hours and ECTS Credits are known.

How to Create a Course Category

Step 1: Navigate to Graduation Requirements / Degree Audit

Go to:

Settings → Grades → Graduation Requirements / Degree Audit

Select the appropriate Degree Program from the left panel.

Step 2: Click Add Course Category

Select Add Course Category.

The Add Course Category window opens.

Step 3: Select the Degree Program

Choose the Degree Program that this Course Category belongs to.

Example:

MBA

Step 4: Enter the Course Category Name

In the Course Category field, enter a descriptive name.

Examples:

Core Courses
Electives
General Education
Capstone Project
Internship
Research Project

Choose names that clearly describe the academic requirement.

Step 5: Enter Required Credit Hours

Specify the minimum number of Credit Hours students must earn within this category.

Example:

Core Courses → 18 Credit Hours

Step 6: Enter Required ECTS Credits (Optional)

If your institution follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), enter the required ECTS credits.

Example:

Core Courses → 30 ECTS Credits

If your institution does not use ECTS, this field can be left blank or configured according to your school's grading policy.

Step 7: Save

Click Submit.

The Course Category is added to the selected Degree Program.

Example Program Structure

Degree Program

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Course Categories

Students must complete the required credits in each category before satisfying the graduation requirements.

Editing a Course Category

If graduation requirements change, you can update an existing Course Category.

You can modify:

• Course Category name
• Required Credit Hours
• Required ECTS Credits

To edit a category:

1. Open the Degree Program.
2. Locate the Course Category.
3. Click the Edit icon.
4. Update the required information.
5. Click Submit.

Deleting a Course Category

If a Course Category is no longer needed:

1. Open the Degree Program.
2. Locate the category.
3. Click the Delete icon.
4. Confirm the deletion.

Note: Before deleting a Course Category, ensure that it is no longer associated with courses required for graduation.

Benefits of Course Categories

Organized Graduation Requirements

Group related courses into meaningful academic categories.

Flexible Program Design

Each Degree Program can have its own unique structure.

Accurate Credit Tracking

Monitor credit completion by category rather than individual courses.

Support for International Institutions

Configure both traditional Credit Hours and ECTS Credits.

Better Degree Audits

Degree Audit can evaluate completion status for each graduation requirement separately.

Best Practices

Use Meaningful Category Names

Choose names that clearly represent the academic requirement.

Define Realistic Credit Requirements

Ensure Required Credit Hours match institutional policies.

Review Curriculum Changes

Update Course Categories whenever graduation requirements change.

Keep Programs Organized

Avoid creating duplicate or overlapping categories.

Verify Credit Totals

Ensure the combined credit requirements accurately represent the complete program.

Common Questions

Can a Degree Program have multiple Course Categories?

Yes. Most programs include multiple categories such as Core Courses, Electives, and Internships.

What is the purpose of Required Credit Hours?

Required Credit Hours specify the minimum credits students must complete within a Course Category.

When should I use ECTS Credits?

ECTS Credits should be configured if your institution follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

Can I edit Course Categories later?

Yes. Administrators can update category names and credit requirements at any time.