A hierarchical curriculum model structures academic content in a layered format—moving from general foundational courses to specialized and advanced topics. It supports prerequisite design and progressive learning.
A curriculum structure where learning builds sequentially from foundational to advanced levels.
The tier or complexity of content (e.g., 100-level, 200-level, etc.).
A required course that must be completed before enrolling in a higher-level course.
Ensuring that learning outcomes progressively build across course levels.
The ordered path a student follows through a program's curriculum.
A culminating, high-level course that integrates knowledge from prior coursework.
With modular learning and microcredentials, institutions are blending hierarchical models with flexible pathways. Curriculum mapping tools and AI-assisted planning help maintain coherence across levels.