Launching an online program in 90 days

Most online programs stall between approval and launch. This guide breaks those months into a plan you can run in about 90 days, assuming the program is approved and faculty are available to review.

Weeks 1–2: design the program

Confirm program outcomes, course list, credit structure and the academic calendar. Map each course to program outcomes now; it saves rework at accreditation time.

Weeks 3–8: build the courses

Draft lessons, activities and assessments from each syllabus, mapped to course outcomes and Bloom’s levels. Faculty review and approve in rounds. Start with the first term’s courses; later terms can follow while the first runs.

Weeks 6–10: set up the platform

Configure the LMS, enrollment, branding and sign-in. Load approved courses as they are signed off. Load handbooks, policies and calendars into the learner support assistant so it can answer from your own documents.

Weeks 10–12: prepare to launch

Run a pilot with staff acting as learners. Publish onboarding material. Confirm how exams will run, including identity checks and proctoring for remote candidates.

Launch and the first term

Open enrollment, onboard the first cohort and watch the support questions: they show where content or communication needs work. Review learner progress weekly and act early on those falling behind.

What makes the difference

• Outcome mapping from day one, not added later.
• Faculty as reviewers and approvers, not sole authors.
• Support available when online learners study: evenings and weekends.
• Exams with identity checks, so the credential carries weight.

Prefer a partner to run it? See Program Launch as a Service.