If you’re exploring learning options for yourself or your team, you’ve likely come across the term “structured learning.” It’s an organized approach to learning that follows a defined framework and a set end goal. There’s usually an instructor and some form of assessment involved. 

Think of any formal class you’ve taken. You might use structured learning to pick up a new skill, such as financial automation software. Or you might use it to brush up on your existing knowledge, like accounting principles. Either way, the approach gives you a clear path from where you are now to where you want to end up. 

Here’s how structured learning works, why learning structure matters, and when it’s the right call for you or your team.

Key Points

• Structured learning follows a clear, step-by-step format to teach learners new skills and knowledge.  
• Unstructured learning builds knowledge in an informal, do-it-yourself kind of way. 
• An ADP Research Institute survey found that 85% of workers worldwide believe AI will soon impact their jobs, making continuous, intentional learning more critical than ever. 
• According to edX, more than half of US adults (57%) are actively upskilling. Structured learning can be an effective way to do that.

How Structured Learning Works

Structured learning is any program or course built around a formal teaching method. It usually has a clear curriculum with defined learning objectives and timelines. In many cases, there will even be assignments, an exam, or some other form of assessment. 

It looks a lot like a typical college course, because structured learning follows many of the same principles. It often happens in a classroom-like setting, either online or in person. You attend, you learn, get tested on what you learn, and finish with something to show for it.

Core Principles

Structured learning isn’t new. The earliest known instance of formal learning dates back thousands of years. But what makes it different from other learning methods, including self-study, is its core principles: 

• Defined objectives: You know exactly what skills or knowledge you’ll have by the end. 
• Logical sequencing: Lessons build on each other in a deliberate order.  
• Assessment or checkpoints: Quizzes, projects, or exams along the way measure your progress and keep you on track.

Real-World Examples

Perhaps the best-known example of structured learning is a college degree program: a set of required courses, electives that count toward credits, and grades that determine whether you graduate. 

You can find structured learning in other forms, too. For example: 

• Specialized vocational programs like plumbing or carpentry training 
• Required certification programs like CPR or first aid 
• Workplace training on new compliance or regulatory requirements 
• Employee onboarding programs and online training modules 
• Online certification courses with a defined curriculum and outcome 

What ties these together is intent. There’s a clear goal of taking that course, along with a curriculum and a measurable outcome.

Structured vs. Unstructured Learning

According to edX, 57% of US workers are actively upskilling via training and education opportunities. Another 42% are reskilling. 

Structured learning is 1 way to get there, but it isn’t the only way. Sometimes, unstructured learning, which is more flexible and self-directed, is the better call.

Key Differences

Knowing how structured learning and unstructured learning compare can help steer you toward the right choice for you (or your team). 

Structured learning programs typically: 

• Follow a consistent format for every learner 
• Are led by an instructor or guided program 
• Move through a predefined curriculum in a set sequence 
• Aim at a specific, measurable outcome 
• Include regular feedback or assessments 

Unstructured learning programs typically: 

• Offer flexibility, with no fixed format  
• Let learners explore based on curiosity or judgment  
• Leave more room for creative or open-ended thinking  
• Don’t lock in objectives or assessments  
• Are harder to measure in terms of outcomes 

Neither approach is necessarily better than the other. It depends more on what you’re aiming for. Structured learning makes sense when you want a recognized certification or the support of a defined path. Unstructured learning works when the goal is exploration.

When a Hybrid Approach Works Best

Sometimes, a hybrid approach works best. 

Take a tax preparation course, for example. The course itself might follow a structured format with a defined outcome and final assessment. But the different modules might also include real-world scenarios you can practice at your own pace. This gives you both structure and flexibility. 

The same logic applies to workplace training. A defined curriculum keeps everyone on track, while time for practical application and team problem-solving offers something a textbook can’t offer. Whether you include a final exam is up to you.

Why Choose a Structured Learning Program?

The world is changing fast, and so are the skills it takes to keep up. A recent ADP Research Institute survey found that 85% of workers worldwide believe AI will soon affect their jobs. Whether or not yours is 1 of them, continuous learning helps keep skills current. 

A structured learning approach is worth considering if: 

• Your goals call for a specific format and outcome. 
• You want to cut the guesswork of what to study next. 
• You dislike trial and error and want something more concrete. 
• Measurable progress appeals to you. 
• You’re pursuing a credential (like a certified public accountant (CPA) license) that requires completing a structured program. 
• A specific skill level is required to advance in your career. 
• You want to future-proof your skills against industry changes. 
• You’re preparing to move into a new role or field. 

Structured learning benefits employers, too. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 76% of employees say they’re more likely to stay with a company that offers continuous training. Investing in learning and development can improve retention, strengthen compliance, and help employees keep pace with changing regulations and technology. 

Consistent Outcomes

When everyone follows the same curriculum and completes the same assessments, results are predictable. That’s an advantage in workplace settings where teams need to operate from the same playbook. 

Easier to Track Progress

Structured programs build in things like checkpoints, quizzes, and final exams. For learners, that means visibility into how far they’ve come. For instructors and employers, it means a reliable way to confirm that the learning is working. 

Better for Career-Focused Learning

Some professions simply require completing a structured program to advance in the field. You can’t become an accountant without a bachelor’s degree, for example. And you can’t become a CPA without completing the licensure requirements. Even outside formal credentials, structured programs build specific, demonstrable skills employers seek. 

See Structured Learning in Action

Intuit Academy offers free programs built on structured learning principles. They include defined modules, a logical sequence, and a recognized credential at the end. It also borrows from the hybrid model. You move at your own pace and apply what you learn through real-world scenarios. 

Ready to put structure to work? Sign up for a free accounting class with Intuit Academy today.

FAQs

How do you know whether structured learning or self-directed learning is the right approach for your personal learning style?

If you prefer a formalized approach to education, structured learning might be the better option. It provides consistency, clear outcomes, and accountability that unstructured learning environments don’t always offer. 

Is structured learning still effective when delivered entirely online compared to in-person environments?

While many students still prefer learning in person, research suggests that well-designed online courses can be just as effective. A study of more than 1,000 undergraduate students found that although many participants preferred face-to-face classes for the interaction and support they provide, learning outcomes were similar across online and in-person formats. 

How do employers typically view candidates who have pursued structured learning programs versus self-taught experience?

For roles that require a specific credential, like medical, legal, or accounting work, a structured program might be a must. This is true of certain certifications or degree programs, like those required for medical or accounting professions. For other roles, though, employees might care less about how you learned and more about whether you can do the work. In such cases, a strong portfolio and demonstrated results can be just as valuable as a formal program.