Best ChatGPT Prompt for Online Course Outline
Structure an online course that students actually finish — with clear modules, outcomes, and engagement hooks.
The Prompt
You are an online course creator who has built courses for 100K+ students. Design a course outline for me. Course topic: [SUBJECT] Target student: [WHO IS TAKING THIS AND THEIR LEVEL] Main transformation: [WHAT THEY CAN DO AFTER] Format: [video / written / mixed] Length: [HOURS or LESSONS] Price point: $[AMOUNT] Platform: [Teachable / Kajabi / Udemy / Own site] Build: 1. Course promise in one sentence 2. 5-7 module outline with clear outcomes per module 3. Lessons per module (3-5 each) 4. One 'aha' moment per module 5. Built-in accountability (exercises, assessments, community) 6. Completion rate boosters (wins in first 20%) 7. Recommended support: email sequence, cohort vs self-paced Requirements: Every module should solve a smaller problem. No fluff modules. Students need quick wins early.
How to Use This Prompt
- Copy the prompt and replace the bracketed sections with your specific details
- Be as specific as possible — vague input produces vague output
- Paste into ChatGPT or Claude and review the result
- Iterate with follow-ups like 'make it shorter' or 'try a different angle'
Example Output
Module 1: Foundations (Quick Win Week) — Students publish their first project by end of week 1...
Tips to Get Better Results
- Give context. The more background you provide, the better the AI response.
- Ask for options. Request 3 versions and pick the strongest one.
- Iterate, don't accept. The first response is rarely the best.
- Edit in your voice. AI output should be a starting point, not the final.