Syllabus Information and Help
Syllabi are due by the first class day for Fall 1 and Fall 2.
- Upload your syllabus to Canvas and to this shared Box folder by the due date.
- These are the requirements of all syllabi: UT Austin Syllabus Requirements
- These are the templates from UT Austin: UT Austin Fall 2021 syllabus templates
- These are the CoFA recommendations: CoFA Syllabus Language Recommendations
- CoFA strongly encourages all faculty include clear statements about their instructional mode in their syllabus. Please do reach out to students as soon as possible to help them understand how and when the class will meet.
- Dr. Schell offered a helpful session this summer on Creating Your Online/Hybrid Syllabus. Please find the box link to the recording along with her slides.
Syllabi Requirements
The policy and information on House Bill 2504, which requires the public posting of course syllabi and instructor-of-record curricula vitae, is available on the Provost's website.
The Faculty Innovation Center outlines required content and offers some additional tips on an effective syllabus. Sample syllabi are also available from Academic Affairs.
The General Information Catalog also posts Class Syllabi Required Information:
Each instructor must provide students with a syllabus by the first day that the class meets. To the extent practicable, the syllabus must include the following information by the first day:
- The course number and title
- The instructor’s name, office location, and office hours
- The names, office locations, and office hours of any teaching assistants
- An overview of the class, including prerequisites, the subject matter of each lecture or discussion, and the academic/learning goals for the course and how they will be assessed
- Grading policy, including the means of evaluation and assignment of class grades, including whether plus and minus grades will be used for the final class grade and whether attendance will be used in determining the final class grade
- A brief descriptive overview of all major course requirements and assignments, along with the dates of exams and assignments that count for 20 percent or more of the class grade
- A list of required and recommended materials, such as textbooks, image collections, audio and audiovisual materials, supplies, articles, chapters, and excerpts as appropriate, identified by author, title, and publisher
- Final exam date and time (when available)
- The class website, if any
- A notice that students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE), Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
Instructors of undergraduate courses are required to submit a course syllabus and curriculum vitae to their departmental office or dean's office (in non-departmentalized colleges/schools) by the first day of classes each semester. The administrative units must upload instructor CVs and syllabi of undergraduate courses to the University's public website no later than seven days after the first day of classes. Faculty members who utilize Canvas should separately upload syllabi to the learning management system. Listing of office location, office hours, and teaching assistant information is not required for the publicly available version of the syllabus. Making undergraduate course information available to the public is mandated by HB 2504, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature (2009).
It is recommended that instructors include the following information on their course syllabi:
- Attendance Policy
- A notice regarding academic dishonesty. UT Honor Code (or statement of ethics) and an explanation or example of what constitutes plagiarism.
- A notice regarding accommodations for religious holidays.
Sample statement
"By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence." - Flag information as appropriate.
- The following recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety and Security, 512-471-5767,
- Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside.
- Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building.
- Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors.
- Do not reenter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.
- Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line (BCCAL): 512-232-5050
- Link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures.