Manuscript received April 26, 2026; accepted June 6, 2026; published November 12, 2026.

Abstract—In higher education, outcomes-based education requires coherent alignment among Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs), Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), and Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). This case study examines the extent and effectiveness of this alignment within the Master of Science in Digital Education (MEDu) program at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), with particular attention to international professional standards, including the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu). Using qualitative document analysis of institutional strategic plans, program specifications, and course syllabi, supplemented by faculty consultation and student assessment data, the research maps connections across the three outcome levels and benchmarks them against global competency frameworks. Findings reveal strong intentional alignment in curricular design, with PLOs clearly derived from AGU’s mission and CLOs effectively deconstructing PLOs into teachable components. However, the alignment remains largely implicit, lacking explicit curriculum mapping, systematic program-level assessment, and dynamic review processes responsive to the rapidly evolving digital education landscape. Critically, the analysis reveals that while the program substantively addresses many DigCompEdu competencies, this alignment is undocumented and unvalidated, potentially limiting graduate competitiveness in international markets. Identified gaps include curricular silos, underutilized assessment data, insufficient responsiveness to technological change, and the absence of external benchmarking. The study recommends developing a dynamic curriculum map explicitly aligned with DigCompEdu and ISTE standards, instituting a robust assessment cycle, establishing a standing curriculum review committee, and systematically benchmarking against external competency frameworks. These steps are essential to fully realize outcomes-based education, ensuring curricular coherence, demonstrable student achievement, sustained relevance, and enhanced graduate competitiveness in the global digital education marketplace.