subcourse

A subcourse is a subdivision or module of a larger course or program, designed to teach a specific topic, skill, or set of competencies within an overarching curriculum. The term is commonly encountered in military training and distance or correspondence education, but it is also used in higher education and corporate learning to organize content into manageable units. A subcourse typically comprises defined learning objectives, lessons or readings, and an assessment component. In many systems, completion of a subcourse contributes to the credentialing of the overall course, and progress may be tracked separately from other subcourses.

Subcourses may be delivered in various formats, including self-paced modules, instructor-led segments, or blended delivery. They often have prerequisites or recommended prior subcourses, and their content is aligned with the broader goals of the program. In military training programs, subcourses are sometimes issued as standalone manuals or modules, with examinations or practical evaluations used to certify proficiency in the covered topic. In online education, subcourses can function as modular units within a larger degree program or certificate.

The subcourse structure supports modular learning by enabling learners to progress through focused content and to demonstrate competence in discrete areas before advancing. This approach can improve flexibility and scalability of training but may require careful tracking of credits and prerequisites to maintain credential integrity. See also modules, units, and lessons.