50+ Sample Program Forms

What Is a Program Form?

A program form is a written document that outlines and details a program’s specific course or agenda in an organized and usually chronological manner. 

According to an article by the Society for Human Resource Management or SHRM, around 60% of job hunters quit in the middle of filling out online job applications due to either its length or complexity.

Types of Program Forms

There are various types of program forms. They come in different shapes and sizes with each serving a specific purpose of their own. But at its core, a program form is meant to inform and provide details that could potentially aid decision-making such as in the case of an application form. The following are just some basic and common types of program forms.

Application Form. One of the most common or typical forms is an application form. When you are applying for a particular program, like an academic or scholarship program, you need to go through a certain process or procedure. An application form is standard procedure. The admissions board or approval committee would need to know basic information about you to include in their file or records. An application form will also help determine if a candidate or prospect would be admitted into the program. The information supplied in the form would aid in the decision-making process of the admissions body in charge of accepting applicants. Application forms are also universal; all industries have a use for it. Whether it is the academe or public sector, an application form is one of the most basic documents. And whether you are applying for a student grant or a religious fellowship, you would need an application form. Feedback Form. Another standard form used in various programs and projects is a feedback form. In order to determine if a program has met its objectives or goals, feedback must be obtained from both participants and even organizers. The latter needs feedback on the program or course to gauge its overall effectiveness and impact. It is essentially a tool used to gather data to be used for a program’s improvement. The format of a feedback form can either be general or specific. Its length would also depend on the author. However, most feedback forms are no longer than a couple of pages. A form that’s too long could take up too much of the participant’s time. You can use a combination of a rating scale and open-ended questions in your form. It is important to always give the participant an opportunity to express freely their comments and suggestions about the program. Evaluation Form. Similar to a feedback form, an evaluation form is also used to gauge the effectiveness of a particular program. But if a feedback form is normally informal and brief, an evaluation form is usually more detailed and comprehensive. It used to assess particular areas or aspects of a program. For instance, an academic program or a teaching program requires careful judgment and objective scrutiny. On the other hand, a simple feedback form for customer service or management can be less meticulous. Evaluation forms for long and extensive programs can be done in sections as well. It will be easier and more helpful to evaluators when the different subsections are clearly separated and organized according to topic. Itinerary Program Form. Another basic program form is an itinerary program. This type of form outlines and details the time and schedule of activities of a certain program. Or in other words, it provides detailed information on the program flow. An itinerary program helps participants prepare or manage expectations. The program form is usually just a schedule of events and activities. It can come in a table or format that works. What’s important is that the date and time are clearly indicated. An itinerary program can either be simple or detailed, depending on the need as well. There are programs that are short and brief; while other events can last for days or weeks at a time.

Examples of Programs

There are different kinds of programs across all industries and disciplines. They range from full-length courses to short certification programs. Every program has an objective or purpose. Some are meant to initiate change and instigate reform, while others can simply be a prerequisite to other programs. The following examples describe three essential programs across three different sectors. 

Academic Program. Students and educators can become involved in one or several programs over their entire academic life. After all, academic programs are at the core of any educational institution. For undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs, there are dozens of courses that fall under each category. From natural sciences to humanities to finance and business, each academic program or course is designed according to its own area or discipline. The curriculum would vary, of course, depending on each individual school and also on the needs and capacities of the department. Upon the discretion of the school and the academic program itself, scholarship programs may also be awarded to deserving students who meet the criteria. The preservation of their scholarship is usually directly tied to their academic performance. Mentoring Program. Another key program many organizations promote is a mentoring program. A mentoring program can be very helpful and fruitful for employees, especially those that exhibit much potential. Having a mentor can be one of the most fulfilling and impactful experiences an individual can have. In the workplace, a mentor can be instrumental in your career growth and professional development. Not only do you learn directly on a first-hand account, you gain invaluable insights and develop your skills under your mentor’s guidance and supervision. In some cases, a mentor can even help you build and expand your network. The benefits of having a mentoring program in your organization far outweighs its cons. Essentially, it is an excellent way of giving back and helping others achieve their potential. Rehabilitation Program. A rehabilitation program is the type of program that can have a deep and significant effect on the wider population. In other words, it has the potential to impact society on a much wider scale. Its potential for creating ripples of change can be great if the program is implemented the right way. The context, of course, of a rehabilitation program is in both the correctional and medical sense. For the former, rehabilitation and reform programs in prisons and other correctional facilities can help instill positive change within the inmate population. In a medical sense, rehabilitation programs can help individuals recover their health and well-being and also repair relationships damaged by their addictions and personal problems. For a rehabilitation program to work, the individual who needs help must be open to receiving it and there must also be a great deal of patience and commitment from those seeking to help the individual overcome their ordeal.

How to Create a Program Form

To create a program form, you need to establish what kind of program it is first. As discussed in the previous sections, a program form can come in many shapes and sizes. If you are looking for quick and easy templates though, you can choose from a wide selection of editable and printable templates above. Choose one that suits your needs and follow the step-by-step guide below.  

Step 1: Objective

The first step is to establish the objective. What is the purpose of the program form? What is it used for? What is its end goal? You need to identify the objectives of your program in order to have a clearer view of what your needs are. You can state it directly or in plain bullet points. Since it is a form, you can also include instructions for the reader on how to go about the form. If the objectives and instructions are clear for the reader, the better the chances are of obtaining accurate and direct answers. 

Step 2: Format 

An important aspect to keep in mind when creating a program form is the format. The format may vary from form to form. It would largely depend on your needs and the type of program as well. As mentioned previously, application forms and feedback forms are just some of the types of program forms that can apply here. These common types of forms typically contain all kinds of elements such as boxes and tables. You can also customize the text and design of your form. For instance, you can use bold text in order to highlight the headings and subheadings in your program form.        

Step 3: Elements

Once you have established a format, you can then proceed to filling in all the elements. This section is crucial. The arrangement and flow of your program form matters. Since the content of your form will depend on your needs and objectives, there is no one way of making a program form. Just be sure to include all applicable data such as name, address, and other relevant information. For example, if you are creating an application form, a vital section would be the contact information. You need to be able to come up with a comprehensive form that will allow you to collect essential data. You can refer to the different sample templates from the selection above for more options and ideas.    

Step 4: Review    

The next step is to review all the elements contained in your program form. This might seem obvious and straightforward, but many people neglect to review their forms before finalizing it. Errors and minor mistakes can be avoided if you take the time to proofread and review your program form. You can have someone you trust review it a second time. Two pairs of eyes are better than one. They might have spotted a mistake that you overlooked. In summary, it is important to review all the items and each section meticulously before submission. Doing this could save you a lot of potential problems later on.     

FAQs

What are the types of program forms?

There are a number of different program forms. They can come in application forms, evaluation forms and even itinerary forms. Refer to the previous sections for a more in-depth discussion of these forms.

What is in an application form?

An application form is one of the most basic types of documents. It is meant to capture data and information of an applicant or candidate. It is one of the key requirements in a formal application process.

How can I make my own application form?

To make your own application form, you can use several applications. But if you do not want to start from scratch, using a ready-made template is the better and more convenient option. Browse the collection of sample application forms above for more ideas.

A program form can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It largely depends on the purpose and objective of the program. Browse the wide selection of editable forms above, choose one that best suits your needs and get started today!