How to Import Institutional Outcomes into a Canvas Course

Canvas Outcomes that are at an institutional or account-level may be imported into individual Canvas Course Outcomes. Outcomes may be attached to assessments and rubrics. The subsequent results can be aggregated across multiple courses and terms.

Audience

Faculty and staff who are interested in assessment of outcomes across multiple courses.

Requirements

These steps apply to courses in a department where outcomes are stored at the sub-account level.  Please contact the Canvas administrator if you want outcomes imported at the account level.

Overview:

Canvas outcomes can be attached to a rubric, quiz, or quiz items. If added at the course level, they can be attached to these assignments or assessments. Once students complete the assessment their score indicates if they have achieved Mastery, as defined in that outcome.  The Mastery Gradebook will display these outcomes and mastery achievement. See the Canvas Guide, What are Outcomes? to learn more.  
NOTE: Outcomes that are added only at the Course Level will only be visible within that course.  If you intend to assess over courses and terms, you must follow the rest of this guide. 

Important: Please coordinate with your program and assessment or accreditation group before you start. Each outcome has a defined calculation method and levels. You will want to make sure anyone using these outcomes is aware of the outcome specifics.

How to: Add outcomes stored at sub-account

NOTE: you must work with Canvas administrator to get outcomes imported at the sub-account level first.

1. Open the Course Where You Want to Use Outcomes

• Go to the Canvas Dashboard or Courses menu.

• Select the course you want to work in. Note: This course must be within the sub-account that contains the Outcomes.  

2. Go to the Outcomes Area

• In the left course navigation menu, click Outcomes

• Note: Do not click "Create" or import Outcomes from another course.

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3. Click “Find”

• In the Outcomes page, click the “Find” button at the top to browse outcomes from other locations (like the account or sub-account level).

4. Navigate to the Sub-Account

• In the pop-up window Add Outcomes to Course, you'll see a folder-like hierarchy.

• Expand folders until you find your sub-account (e.g., PA Outcomes).

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5. Explore the Outcome Groups

• You'll see folders (called outcome groups) representing categories of outcomes.

• Click on each folder to view the outcomes inside.

• If you have nested groups, they will be indented or appear as sub-folders.

6. Select Outcomes to Add

Tip: It is not necessary to add all the outcomes to a Canvas course. Only add outcomes or outcome groups that are relevant to those in your curriculum map.

• Select individual outcomes by clicking the “Add+” button next to them. 

• If you want to add all Outcomes in an outcome group, select the Add All Outcomes button.

✅ IMPORTANT TIP to Keep Folder Structure:

• If you're importing an outcome from a second level sub-group, you must also import at least one outcome from the parent group.  

  • This ensures the child group is properly nested under the parent folder.

  • Without a parent-level outcome, the parent folder will not appear.  There shouldn't be any changes to reporting results of outcomes but it may make it clearer to users to see the parent folder.

  • E.g. In the case of PA Outcomes, the NCCPA Medical Competencies have a set of sub-folders such as "Cardiovasclular System."  Just import one outcome from the top level of the NCCPA Medical Competencies and the subfolders will appear if there are outcomes imported from within the subfolders. 

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7. Verify Imported Outcomes

• Once imported, you'll return to the course Outcomes page.

• You should now see your imported outcomes organized in folders.

• Click each folder to confirm that the nested structure appears correctly.

How to: Using these outcomes in assessments

You may use these outcomes the same way if you created new outcomes in the course.

Options include:

1. Attaching an Outcome to a NEW QUIZ. (The score on the quiz will determine mastery. e.g. on a 4 points scale, with 3 being mastery the score must be 4/3 or 75% for mastery to be achieved).
2. Attaching an Outcome to an item in an assessment. Not every item has to have an outcome attached. (The percentage of correct/total question points will determine if mastery is achieved.
3. Attaching an outcome to a rubric will allow instructor to click on mastery level for that outcome.  
4. Assignments must use a rubric in order to assess if that outcome is achieved. 

Viewing Outcome Results across an account or multiple courses

Within a single course you can go to Grades and select Learning Mastery Gradebook to see the students' mastery of the outcomes.

However, to see the results of account-level outcomes across multiple courses in which you assessed students, you must request a report from the Canvas administrator.

NOTE: It is possible to have rubrics and item banks at the account level. If you want to share and reuse these items, it might be advantageous to begin a discussion with the Canvas Administrator and your program.