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
Do I have to use all of the syllabus template’s components?
No. You can rearrange, add, and delete various components of the template. There is no one way to build a perfect syllabus, but we hope that these guidelines may help faculty apply best practices of creating effective syllabi.
What needs to be in every syllabus?
The following are essential syllabus components:
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.
- 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
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.