Syllabus Policy
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.
All Instructors of Record for all University of Kansas courses
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.
- 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
- Explanation of instructional time expected for out-of-class student work per credit (see Credit Hour Definition policy)
- Statement on accommodations and/or information for students with disabilities (see or use):
- Links to the following policies:
- Sexual Harassment
- Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action
- KU Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
- Academic Misconduct
- KULC: Academic Misconduct (USRR 2.7.1)
- KUMC: Academic Misconduct
- Change of Grade
- KULC: Change of Grade Policy and Change of Grade (USRR 2.4.1) (i.e., grade appeal)
- KUMC: School of Health Professions Grade Policy; School of Nursing Grade Policy; School of Medicine (MD) Grade Policy; and Graduate Studies Grade Policies
- KULC: Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
- KULC: Commercial Note-Taking
- KULC: Mandatory Reporting
- KULC: Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy
- Class/behavioral expectations (e.g., Instructor’s policy on late work, food in classroom)
- Instructors are encouraged to clearly communicate their expectations related to academic misconduct, plagiarism, and the use of external assistance or work (i.e., group work, non-KU tutoring, artificial intelligence)
- Statement that information listed on the syllabus may be subject to change, including how the Instructor will communicate changes to students and document such modifications
- Links to additional resources, such as:
- Kansas Board of Regents Statement on Free Expression
- Counseling and educational support services
- Religious observances
- KULC: Religious Observances
- KUMC: Religious Accommodation
- Statement of Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Conduct
- University of Kansas Policy on Weapons, Including Firearms
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.
Instructors who do not comply with this policy are subject to the disciplinary, grievance, and appeal procedures of their unit.
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
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.
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.
