Syllabus Policy

PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.

DOCUMENT TYPE:

Policy

PURPOSE:

To establish the requirement that every University of Kansas course must have a syllabus on file with the University and to articulate the required and recommended information to be included within all syllabi.

APPLIES TO:

All Instructors of Record for all University of Kansas courses

CAMPUS:

Edwards, Lawrence, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Salina, Topeka, Wichita, Yoder, Medical Center, Kansas City

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. Required Elements

A. Course Specific Information
B. Resource and Policy Information
 
A. Additional Course Information and Resources
B. University Policies


POLICY STATEMENT:

 
A syllabus outlines the academic relationship between instructors and students in a course. Used as the basis for communication and accountability, a syllabus conveys course expectations, organizes required information, sets the tone for the learning environment, and assists students in navigating the course. A syllabus helps document and clarify essential information, such as course goals, learning objectives, evaluation and grading standards, key dates and assignments, and expectations for student and instructor behavior. 
 
For every credit-bearing course at the University of Kansas, the Instructor of Record (hereafter Instructor) is required to create a course syllabus that includes, at minimum, the required elements defined in this policy. The Instructor must (1) provide the syllabus (either as a hard copy or online) to every student enrolled in the course by the end of the first class session, and (2) must submit an electronic copy of the course syllabus to the appropriate campus [i.e., the KU Lawrence and reporting campuses (KULC) or KU Medical Center and reporting campuses (KUMC)] syllabus repository by the tenth day of the semester.
 

I. Required Elements

 
Instructors must include the following information in any syllabus shared with a student(s).
 

A. Course Specific Information

  • Course subject code, number, and title as it appears in the catalog
  • Instructor’s name, contact information, and office location and hours
  • Course description as it appears in the catalog 
  • Number of credit hours assigned to the course
  • List of required texts and instructional materials 
  • Course requirements [e.g., extracurricular activities, exams, quizzes, assignments, field trips (see KULC: Field Trips Policy)]
  • Course learning outcomes
    • For all KULC KU Core Curriculum-certified courses, the syllabus must clearly state that status and must articulate the KU Core learning goal(s) covered in the course and certified through the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC)
  • Days, times, and location(s) course meets
    • Semester (start and end dates need to be designated if course timeframe falls outside traditional Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters)
  • Course instructional mode [e.g., in-person class, hybrid classroom class, hybrid online class, online class (see Instruction Mode Help Sheet)]
  • Evaluation criteria with grading scale
  • Instructor’s attendance/participation policy (see or use):
  • Specialty accreditation requirements, if applicable
  • Statement that a course evaluation will be available to students, if applicable
  • If a proctored or online exam is given for an online course, the due date and any cost to the student shall be noted in the course syllabus

B. Resource and Policy Information

The following required information must be referenced or directly on the syllabus [see the University Syllabus Boilerplate Language and Resource Guide for recommended language and other resources].

II. Recommended Elements

In addition to the required elements defined in this policy, Instructors are encouraged to add, as appropriate, the following information to any syllabus shared with a student(s). 

A. Additional Course Information and Resources

B. University Policies

Instructors are encouraged to include on the syllabus any other pertinent information that students should be informed of at the beginning of the course and to update the syllabus as needed.

Instructors are encouraged to clearly communicate and document any subsequent changes to their course syllabi. 

EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Course syllabi may be subject to additional programmatic accreditation requirements not defined in this policy.

Courses corresponding to masters' thesis, dissertation, practicum, and research hours are not subject to this policy.

Non-credit-bearing courses are not subject to this policy; however, Instructors of such courses are encouraged to use the principles of this policy to ensure students have the information needed to be successful.

CONSEQUENCES:

Instructors who do not comply with this policy are subject to the disciplinary, grievance, and appeal procedures of their unit.

CONTACT:

Lawrence campus and all reporting units:
Office of Faculty Affairs
Strong Hall, 145
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-6489
facultyaffairs@ku.edu

Medical Center campus and all reporting unit:
Faculty Affairs and Career Development
Mailstop 4009
Dykes Library
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-1381
jlaffey@kumc.edu

APPROVED BY:

Chancellor

APPROVED ON:

2023-07-31

EFFECTIVE ON:

2024-01-01

REVIEW CYCLE:

Annual (As Needed)

RELATED STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AND/OR POLICIES:

KU Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
Sexual Harassment
Statement of Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Conduct
University of Kansas Policy on Weapons, Including Firearms

KULC

Change of Grade Policy
Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Provost’s Statement on Commercial Note-Taking Ventures
Credit Hour Definition
Field Trips Policy
Information Technology Accessibility Policy
Mandatory Reporting
Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy
University Senate Rules and Regulation (USSR)
USSR 1.3.2: Final Examination Schedules
USRR 1.3.8: Final Examination Schedules
USRR 1.4.5: Examinations, Quizzes and Tests Other Than Final Examinations
USRR 2.1.4: Recorded Evaluation of Student Performance
USRR 2.2.1: University Excused Absences
USRR 2.4.1: Change of Grade
USRR 2.7.1: Academic Misconduct

KUMC

Academic Misconduct School of Health Professions
Academic Misconduct: School of Nursing
Academic Misconduct: School of Medicine (MD)
Academic Misconduct: Graduate Studies
Attendance: School of Health Professions
Attendance: School of Nursing
Attendance: School of Medicine (MD)
Attendance: Graduate Studies
Digital Accessibility Policy
Grade Policies School of Health Professions
Grade Policies: School of Nursing
Grade Policies: School of Medicine (MD)
Grade Policies: Graduate Studies
KUMC Student Handbooks

RELATED OTHER:

Kansas Board of Regents Statement on Free Expression
Building AI Policies into Your Syllabus

KULC

Content Accessibility
Counseling and Psychological Services
Excused Absence Policy Work Flow
KU Core Curriculum
KU Core’s Stipulated Educational Goals
KU Writing Center
Religious Observances
University Academic Support Centers: Syllabus Statement
University Academic Support Centers: Resources
University Academic Support Centers: Instructor Center

KUMC

Counseling and Educational Support Services
Counseling and Educational Support Services: Writing Services
Religious Accommodation
Syllabus Statement for Accommodations

DEFINITIONS: 

Instructor of Record: The primary instructor listed within the Student Information System. The academic unit assigns the instructor of record via the Schedule of Classes for each semester.

CHANGE HISTORY:

03/26/2025: Migration to TeamDynamix from Drupal.
02/13/2025: Added a link Building AI into a Syllabus.
10/25/2024: Updated broken link. 
08/26/2024: Updated links for Religious Observances.
01/22/2024: Updated contact section.
11/03/2023: Corrected typos and updated link.
10/16/2023: Updated Contact Section.
08/07/2023: New Policy added to Policy Library. 

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