1. A method for operating an array of non-volatile multilevel memory cells, the method comprising: assigning, to a first cell coupled to a row select line, a first number of program states to which the first cell can be programmed; assigning, to a second cell coupled to the row select line, a second number of program states to which the second cell can be programmed, wherein the second number of program states is greater than the first number of program states; and programming the first cell to one of the first number of program states prior to programming the second cell to one of the second number of program states.