Center for Teaching and Learning

Home / Online Guides / Syllabus Design / A Brandeis Syllabus Template

A Brandeis Syllabus Template

The Brandeis University Syllabus Template helps faculty follow best practices for creating syllabi that invite learning and support all students in a course by providing clear descriptions of learning goals, ways in which learning will be measured, and approaches to how grades will be assigned. It also includes statements required by the University and makes suggestions for other course policies. The Template is meant to be downloaded and customized by individual instructors.

Download a Brandeis Syllabus Template (.DOCX)

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All

Do I have to use all of the syllabus template’s components?

What needs to be in every syllabus?

The following are essential syllabus components:

Course number and name
Essential logistics: Faculty Contact, Communication, Meeting Times/Locations/Student Hours, etc.
Course description which serves as an invitation to learning (not the Bulletin text)
Learning goals
Components of course work: homework, participation/attendance, assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, etc.
Evaluation/Grading scheme
Institutional policies: the required statements on academic integrity, accommodations, and expectations for out-of-class work
Additional course policies

Please note that your syllabus and all course documents must comply with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and revised ADA regulations. See this Accessibility Quick Guide (pdf) for instructions on making documents accessible.

Can an individual instructor, program, department, or school tailor this template to suit their specific needs?

Certainly! Individual instructors and/or units should feel free to change the fonts, layout, etc. of the template to suit their needs. We ask only that, after tailoring, you make sure that each syllabus contains essential syllabus components and passes the accessibility check. See this Accessibility Quick Guide (pdf) for instructions on making documents accessible.