Effective for Fall 2026 classes *** For Summer 2026 information, go to the main Syllabus Resource site.
Syllabus Resources | Fall 2026
Effective Fall 2026, the definition of a syllabus is now prescribed by UNC Policy for all UNC system schools to be a document that contains specific information: course prefix, name, & description; student learning outcomes; assessment of student performance; course materials required to be purchased; and a statement about diverse scholarly perspectives. Check with your department for any addional required content, especially related to grading policies.
Syllabus Checklist
Make sure to use the WCU Syllabus Template when adding your course information. The following information needs to be included in every course syllabus and uploaded into the WCU repository:
- Prefix ### – Course Title (from course catalogue)
- Description
- Student Learning Outcomes (including liberal studies outcomes, if applicable)
- Course Materials Required for Purchase
- Assessment
- Grading Scale
- Mandatory Syllabus Statement from the UNC System
You can download the editable word document of the syllabus template (Version: 4.20.2026).
Guidance on Student Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are clear, measurable statements that describe what students will know, be able to do, or value by the end of a course. These outcomes set the foundation for course design and help ensure alignment between assessments, learning activities, and content.
To write strong learning outcomes, consider using frameworks such as Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning, which emphasizes holistic, integrated learning, or Bloom’s Taxonomy, which focuses on cognitive skill levels. Both offer guidance for writing outcomes that are specific, meaningful, and measurable.
Liberal Studies Outcomes (if applicable)
Liberal Studies Outcomes are a set of ten student learning objectives established by WCU’s Liberal Studies Committee. If your course is part of the Liberal Studies curriculum, be sure to include the applicable learning outcomes from the Liberal Studies Assessment page.
Syllabus Regulation FAQ
The Office of the Provost put together this list of frequently asked questions regarding the new syllabus regulation.
Making the Syllabus
How has the definition of a syllabus changed?
Effective Fall 2026, the definition of a syllabus is now prescribed by UNC Policy for all UNC system schools to be a document that contains specific information: course prefix, name, & description; student learning outcomes; assessment of student performance; course materials required to be purchased; and a statement about diverse scholarly perspectives.
Is there a template for creating the syllabus?
Yes, there is a template you should use. It is linked here on the CFC main syllabus page.
Can I modify the template?
Generally, no, but there is some flexibility in how certain components can be conveyed. For example, if you utilize “alternative grading” that doesn’t fit into the more traditional percentage-based grading, you can substitute a narrative.
What do I need to do to ensure my syllabus is digitally accessible?
The provided template already contains title and heading “tags” as well as alt-text for the tables. No additional settings will be required unless users modify the template. Use the built-in accessibility checker in MS Word to verify accessibility before converting to a pdf or uploading to the repository.
Where do I find accurate course titles and descriptions?
Please refer to the WCU Catalog to get course titles and descriptions rather than using abbreviations, common names, or a self-drafted course description. Click “Course Information” in the sidebar to search for your course.
Should I include other information about course policies or support resources like the academic integrity policy or information about the WaLC in my syllabus?
No. These are important pieces of information to convey to students, but they are no longer part of the syllabus. Instead, provide a link to this information in a separate module on Canvas or as a separate document to students. This information can be titled however the faculty member desires. Suggested names include Additional Course Materials, Course Information, Class Expectations, Support Resources, etc. Avoid titles containing the term syllabus like Syllabus Addendum, Additional Syllabus Details, etc.
Posting the Syllabus
What should I post as the syllabus in Canvas?
Faculty are encouraged to use the default “Syllabus” component in Canvas. This syllabus should be the same as the syllabus that was uploaded to the online syllabus repository. Faculty can copy/paste the components of the syllabus into the textbox, attach the syllabus as a Word document or pdf, or provide the direct link to the syllabus in the repository.
When do I need to have my syllabus ready?
Beginning with Fall 2026 classes, syllabi need to be prepared and posted to the online syllabus repository no later than one week (7 days) before the start of classes. (Syllabi for Summer 2026 do not need to use the template or be publicly available.)
How do I upload my syllabus?
The mechanism to upload a syllabus is still in development. Faculty will be notified by email when it becomes available. Uploading to the repository will be done through myWCU. The interface will resemble the way faculty currently access class rosters and enter attendance grades. There will be a list of courses assigned to the instructor with intuitive upload instructions.
My syllabus is ready now. Can I upload it?
The mechanism to upload a syllabus is still in development. It is anticipated to be available mid-summer.
When is the syllabus due if I teach an 8-week course in the second half of the semester?
The syllabus must be uploaded one week prior to the start date of the course as defined in Banner. For a course beginning in mid-October, the syllabus will not need to be uploaded until October.
Are there any exceptions to the timeline for posting syllabi?
The only exception is if a delay is “due to reasonable institutional operational limitations, such as when a course is under development or the instructor is not yet assigned.” In those special circumstances, the syllabus must be posted no later than the first day of classes for the term.
There is a shared syllabus for a multi-section course. Who uploads the syllabus?
The instructor of record is responsible for posting the syllabus to the online repository for each section of the course being taught. If an instructor is teaching multiple sections, the syllabus must be uploaded for each section.
Can a department head or administrative assistant upload a syllabus on a faculty member’s behalf?
Generally, no. A person’s permission to upload is connected to who is listed as the instructor in Banner. The only way another individual could upload a syllabus would be if they were assigned as an instructor of the course.
What if I uploaded the wrong syllabus for a course?
At the same myWCU site, once a syllabus is uploaded, there will be an option to replace or delete what has been uploaded previously.
How can I get a link to what I uploaded?
At the same myWCU site, once a syllabus is uploaded, there will be an option to “share” what has been uploaded. Clicking the share button will provide a link to the syllabus in the repository which can be used in Canvas or distributed to students.
The Syllabus Repository
Where is the syllabus repository?
The repository is still in development. There will be a link to the repository through various webpages (e.g., Registrar’s Office, Office of the Provost, etc.) once it is up and running.
Who will be able to see the repository?
Everybody with internet access.
What exactly will be in the repository?
The repository will be structured as a list of course sections offered in the current semester. The listing will likely convey the course prefix, number, and section; course title; and a link to the syllabus once it has been uploaded and is available.
Will external viewers of the repository be able to search for the syllabus for a specific course?
The search function is intended to search for any information in the repository but will not search within syllabus documents. For example, a search for the term “computer” would bring up all courses containing the word “computer” in the course title. Users who are looking for the syllabus for a specific course could also search for the course prefix and number.
Will external viewers of the repository know who is teaching which course?
Instructor identity is not part of the public-facing repository data.
List of Revisions
Below is a list of revisions, reflecting updates to university policies and formatting improvements.
Record of Changes
- Version Spring 2026 – Updated syllabus guidance, template, and FAQ
- Version 06.04.25 – Updated editable syllabus template, syllabus website, and Required Institutional Policies and Student Support Resources.
- Version 11.20.23 – Updated the syllabus template and WCU Required Additional Content.
- Version 8.8.23 – Updated module syllabus template and WCU Additional Content.
- Version 9.27.21 – Model Syllabus Update. Moved all non-course required content (Policies and Support Resources) to persistent web page for Required Additional Syllabus Content with link in the body of Model Syllabus.
- Version 7.29.24 – Updated instructions.
- Version 1.11.21 – Updated text in academic integrity section to include self-plagiarism.
- Version 8.10.20 – Updated Statement on Wearing of Masks.
- Version 8.06.10 – Section on Course Recording and Broadcasting updated with most recent guidance from the office of legal counsel.
- Version 7.19.20 – For Writing and Learning Commons section – corrected website and added information about supplemental instruction.
- Version 6.26.20 – Statement on Wearing of Masks.
- Version 5.18.20 – Guidelines for using Respondus LockDown Browser and/or LockDown Monitor.
- Version 4.30.20 – Updated contact information for campus offices during COVID-19 stay-at-home order.
- Version 2.01.20 – Added Community Vision for Inclusive Excellence Statement.
- Version 12.19.19 – Updated Grading Table to Grading Section.
- Version 5.8.19 – Updated Accessibility Statement, as suggested by the Office of Accessibility Resources.
- Version 5.19.19 – Alignment to the policy on Academic Integrity, as maintained by the Dean of Students website; alignment to new contact email address and website for the Office of Accessibility Resources.
- Version 9.13.18 – Inclusion of new Liberal Studies Learning Outcomes verbiage.
- Version 8.7.18 – A link to the Liberal Studies Learning Goals website (to assist faculty teaching courses part of the Liberal Studies CORE).
- Version 7.17.18 – A statement about learning outcomes for courses part of the Liberal Studies program.
- Version 6.21.18 – Information about LMS downtime.
- Version 5.25.18 – Updates about WALC, Math Tutoring center, Institutional Policies: Course Recording and Broadcasting, Institutional Policies: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Academic Integrity Policy and Reporting Process (corrected a typo).