10 Essential Things Every College Syllabus Needs (Checklist)

Creating a strong college syllabus doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this post, you’ll learn exactly what to include in your syllabus so it’s clear, professional, and student-friendly. You’ll get:

Why Your College Syllabus Matters

A well-written syllabus:

Saves time answering repeat questions
Gives students a clear roadmap for the course
Prevents confusion and grade disputes
Protects you by clearly outlining your expectations and policies
Builds trust and confidence from day one

After 14 years of refining my syllabus, I now make only small updates each semester. The clearer it’s become, the smoother my classes run and the better my students perform.

10 Essential Things Every College Syllabus Needs

Use this college syllabus checklist as your guide to building or revising your course materials.

1. Course Information

👉 Include your course name and number, section number, meeting days and times (or zoom link).

2. Instructor Information

👉 Add your name, email, office location, and office hours.

Tip: I like to include a response time to set expectations and boundaries. For example: “Emails are typically replied to within 24 hours on weekdays.”

3. Course Description & Required Materials

👉 This typically comes from your department, although I like to add a welcoming line at the beginning. If you have a textbook or other materials, list them here.

Tip: Consider using a free or open-source textbook to make your class more accessible to students. I like OpenStax, which has a large assortment of free, high-quality textbooks.

4. Learning Outcomes

👉 These typically come from your department or college and are copied word for word.

5. Assignments & Exams

👉 Decide how you’ll measure and assess students’ understanding. Will you include papers, presentations, readings, quizzes, or exams? Provide a brief description of each major assignment so students know what to expect.

6. Grade Breakdown

👉 Give a bird’s eye view of the course and show specific points or percentages for each category and assignment.

Example:
Profile Assignment: 30 points
Presentation: 100 points
Papers: 100 points (2 x 50 pts each)
Quizzes: 320 points (16 x 20 pts each)
Exams: 400 points (4 x 100 pts each)
TOTAL : 950 points total

7. Attendance, Participation, & Late Work Policies

👉 Be specific about expectations for attendance, active participation, and communication. Link to your college’s attendance policy for consistency if you are unsure what to do. Be equally clear on your approach to late or missed work, including whether makeup assignments are allowed and under what conditions.

Example: I allow late work for assignments and quizzes with a 10% deduction per day (which my LMS Canvas calculates automatically). After 10 days, it becomes a zero and no late work is accepted. For exams and presentations, students must communicate with and schedule a makeup session within 2 weeks of the due date.

8. Academic Integrity & AI Use Policies

👉 Include your college’s academic integrity statement or a link to the official policy. Clarify if you allow or restrict the use of AI tools (like ChatGPT or Grammarly) and make your stance explicit.

Example: State whether AI use is prohibited entirely (all submitted work must be original), permitted with citation, or allowed only for brainstorming or idea generation.

9. Accessibility & Support Resources

👉 Include links to Disability Services, tutoring, and other student support offices. Ask students to submit their accommodation letters (from the Accessibility or Disability Office) early so you can make any necessary adjustments to help them succeed.

Tip: Encourage students to take advantage of free tutoring, testing, and counseling services. If time allows, I like to take a mini-field trip during the first week and walk my student to these locations.

10. Tentative Schedule with Due Dates

👉 This is one of the most useful parts of your syllabus for both you and your students. Include daily or weekly topics, readings, due dates, and holidays. A clear schedule reduces confusion and gives students a clear roadmap for the semester.

Tip: Establish a weekly rhythm so students know what to expect (both students and teachers thrive on consistency). For example, I always have a weekly quiz due Sundays at 11:59pm.

BONUS

👉 Add a fun Easter egg or hidden note in your syllabus. This helps to humanize you and will give you a quick check to see how many people actually read your syllabus.

Example: Here is one of mine: “If you’ve read this far you deserve extra credit. You can earn up to 20 pts of extra credit during the semester, starting right now with 10 points for sending me a message in Canvas telling me which TV show or book you are currently enjoying.”

There you have it! Even if your department gives you a template, personalize it. Add your own voice, your policies, and your approach to learning. This helps students see you as a real human.

Common Mistakes New Instructors Make (and How to Avoid Them)

❌ Overloading your syllabus with fine print that students just skim past
Solution: Keep it short and clear. Use bullet points, tables, and bold headings to make information easy to find.

❌ Overcommitting with too many assignments early on
Solution: Space things out and keep a running note sheet throughout the semester for future tweaks. (Example: “Chapter 1 took an extra class period to cover.”)

❌ Not aligning learning outcomes with assessments
Solution: Make sure each learning outcome connects directly to an activity or assessment.

❌ Leaving policies too vague (e.g., “at my discretion”)
Solution: Be specific. Include clear parameters when possible (e.g., “10% deduction per day late”).

❌ Relying on students to actually read your syllabus
Solution: Include a short syllabus quiz or reflection during week one to make sure they’ve reviewed the key details.

❌ When students still don’t read your syllabus
Solution: Add a brief FAQ section at the beginning. Cover essentials like how to contact you, what to do if they miss class, and where to find materials.

College Syllabus Checklist

Let’s recap each part of your syllabus:
✅ Course Information
✅ Instructor Information
✅ Course Description & Required Materials
✅ Learning Outcomes
✅ Assignments & Exams
✅ Grade Breakdown
✅ Attendance, Participation, & Late Work Policies
✅ Academic Integrity & AI Use Policies
✅ Accessibility & Support Resources
✅ Tentative Schedule with Due Dates
✅ BONUS: Hidden Easter Egg for Fun

FAQs

Q: How long should my college syllabus be?
A: Aim for 4–6 pages. Make it detailed enough for clarity but concise enough to read.

Q: Do I have to follow the department’s template exactly?
A: It depends on your department. Some require a specific format, while others allow flexibility. Most colleges mandate certain sections (like outcomes and policies), but you can still personalize the tone and layout to make it your own.

Q: Do students actually read the syllabus?
A: They do when it’s clear, visually structured, and referenced throughout the semester. Tying it to a short quiz or assignment at the start of the term also boosts engagement significantly.

Q: What’s the most common mistake in new syllabi?
A: Leaving out or being unclear about policies related to grading, attendance, and late work. Also, be sure to review and update your AI policy regularly, as new tools our understanding of how they impact student work continues to evolve.