Course Syllabi Resources
TLC Guide
A course information sheet or syllabus must be distributed for all university undergraduate courses and is strongly recommended for graduate courses. The syllabus communicates important course information, policies, expectations, and learning goals to students.
This guide provides resources for creating an accessible syllabus, meeting ASU syllabus requirements, and making your syllabus available to students.
Creating Your Syllabus
Recommended: Create and Maintain Your Syllabus in Canvas
The simplest way to provide and maintain an accessible syllabus is to use the Syllabus page in Canvas as the primary version of your syllabus. Our recommended workflow:
Build once in Canvas → keep one version current → accessibility is easier → students can still print it
The TLC has created an accessible Canvas syllabus template in our Accessible by Design Canvas course. The template includes required and recommended syllabus content along with instructions for customizing it for your course.
- (If you haven't already done so) enroll in the Accessible by Design Canvas course.
- Open the Accessible Canvas Syllabus Template.
- Copy the template into the Syllabus page of your Canvas course. The HTML code for the template is available here: Canvas: Accessible Syllabus Template.
- Follow the instructions in the template and replace the bracketed placeholder text highlighted in pale yellow with information specific to your course.
- Review the completed syllabus for accessibility and publish it for your students.
Students who want a printed or PDF copy can use their browser's print options to print the Canvas syllabus or save it as a PDF. You do not need to create and maintain a separate document solely to provide students with a printable syllabus.
Prefer to Draft in Google Docs?
If you prefer to write or revise your syllabus in Google Docs, use the SOLS Accessible Syllabus Template (Google Docs).
The template includes instructions on how to customize it for your course. Replace the bracketed placeholder text highlighted in pale yellow and review the entire document before using it.
When your syllabus is ready, copy the content into the Syllabus page in Canvas. Headings and some other formatting should carry over, but review the Canvas version for accessibility issues and correct them before publishing.
A document version does not replace the Canvas syllabus. If you choose to provide students with a Google Doc, Word document, or PDF version of your syllabus, you must provide it in addition to the accessible syllabus in Canvas. You are also responsible for ensuring that the additional document is accessible and remains consistent with the Canvas version.
Maintaining only the Canvas version is generally the easiest way to avoid remediating and updating multiple copies of the same syllabus.
Check Your Syllabus Content
All course syllabi should contain the elements and policies outlined in ASU Policy ACD 304-10: Course Syllabus.
Use the SOLS Syllabus Checklist to review the information, policies, and course expectations that should be addressed before publishing your syllabus.
You can also review the Provost's Syllabus Guidelines for current university requirements and recommendations.
Distributing Your Syllabus
Canvas
Your syllabus must be accessible to students in Canvas. ASU requires that syllabi be made available to students during the first week of classes, but we recommend having your syllabus ready before the course begins so students can review course expectations and requirements.
If you use the recommended workflow above, the Syllabus page in Canvas serves as the primary student-facing version of your syllabus.
For more information about the Canvas Syllabus tool, see How do I use the Syllabus as an instructor?.
MyASU
Your syllabus should also be up to date and available to students through MyASU two weeks before the start of the term.
Once uploaded, students enrolled in your course can access the syllabus from their course information in MyASU. See How to Upload a Syllabus to MyASU for instructions.
Changing Your Syllabus Mid-Semester
The course syllabus should be finalized before the semester begins. Minor updates may sometimes be necessary as the course progresses, and the SOLS syllabus templates include a general disclaimer allowing for appropriate adjustments.
However, the attendance policy and grading scheme cannot be changed once the course has started.
If you make an allowable change, update the syllabus in Canvas and clearly communicate the change to students. If you also distribute a separate document version of the syllabus, remember to update that version as well.
Additional Resources
- TLC Presentation: Creating an Accessible Syllabus
- TLC Document: Syllabus Checklist
- ASU Policy Manual: ACD 304-10 Course Syllabus Policy
- Office of the Provost: Syllabus guidelines
- Office of the Provost: Learning expectations