Learning Plans Overview

Use this reference page to understand what learning plans are, when to use them, and which related guides can help you build, manage, and enroll learners in a learning plan.

Key point

A learning plan is a structured training path that includes one or more courses. Use a learning plan when you need features like bundled courses, optional and mandatory courses, prerequisites, or one enrollment link for multiple courses.

Understanding learning plans

A learning plan is a structured training path made up of one or more courses. Learners complete the learning plan by completing the courses that are required for the plan.

Term	Meaning
Learning plan	A structured training path that includes one or more courses.
Learning plan shell	The first step in creating a new learning plan. Where the learning plan properties are set before courses and enrollments are added.
Mandatory course	A course learners must complete to finish the learning plan.
Optional course	A course learners can take as part of the plan but that is not required for completing the plan.

Choosing learning plans or direct course enrollment

UE typically recommends enrolling learners into courses directly unless you need a learning plan feature. Use a learning plan when the structure of the training matters, not just the enrollment.

Use direct course enrollment when…	Use a learning plan when…
learners only need one course you do not need to group courses together you do not need optional or mandatory course logic you do not need prerequisites between courses	multiple courses should appear as one training path some courses should be optional and others mandatory learners should complete courses in a specific sequence you want one enrollment link for several courses

Understanding learning plan features

Learning plans can be useful when you need more than a simple course assignment.

Feature	Why it matters
Custom title and description	Lets you present a training bundle with a clear name, description, and supporting information.
Multiple courses in one path	Lets learners access several related courses from one structured training path.
Optional and mandatory courses	Lets you require some courses while leaving other courses available as optional enrichment.
Prerequisites	Lets you require learners to complete one course before enrolling in another course.
Self-registration/self-enrollment link	Lets learners use one link to self-register or enroll in a learning plan containing multiple courses.

Understanding mandatory and optional courses

Learning plans can include both mandatory and optional courses. Mandatory courses are required for completion. Optional courses can be included in the plan without being required.

Course type	How it affects completion
Mandatory course	Learners must complete the course to complete the learning plan.
Optional course	Learners can take the course, but it is not required for learning plan completion.

Understanding prerequisites

Prerequisites let you arrange the hierarchy of courses in a learning plan. A learner must complete the prerequisite course before enrolling in another course that depends on it.

Example: If Course B has Course A as a prerequisite, learners must complete Course A before they can enroll in Course B.

Planning the learning path

A well-structured learning plan should be easy for learners to follow and simple for TAs to manage.

Planning question	Why it matters
Which courses belong in the plan?	Helps keep the learning path focused and relevant.
Which courses are mandatory?	Determines what learners must complete to finish the learning plan.
Which courses are optional?	Lets you include supplemental content without making it required.
Should courses be completed in a specific order?	Helps determine whether you need prerequisites.
How will learners be enrolled?	Helps determine whether to use manual enrollment, CSV enrollment, group enrollment, or self-registration.

Publishing learning plans

Learners cannot self-register or enroll in a learning plan unless the learning plan is published.

Alert: Before sending a self-registration or self-enrollment link, confirm the learning plan status is set to Published.

Choosing how learners enroll

Learning plans can support several enrollment methods. Choose the method based on your launch size, learner population, and whether learners should enroll themselves.

Enrollment method	Best for
Manual enrollment	Small groups, individual learners, groups, or a branch.
CSV enrollment	Large groups of learners who need the same learning plan.
Self-registration	Learners who should register or enroll themselves using a link.
Group enrollment	Different learner populations that need different learning plans.

Tip: For help choosing an enrollment method, start with Choosing How Learners Enroll in Learning Plans.

Getting help from UE

If you are unsure whether to use a learning plan or direct course enrollment, contact launch@ue.org.

Learning Plan Management

Learning Plans Overview