SYLLABUS CHECKLIST
A course syllabus is a written document that summarizes the topical focus of a course, learning
expectations for students, grading, materials, and a course outline. At Penn State, all course syllabi
must adhere to Faculty Senate syllabus policy 43-001, which describes what the syllabus must include
and how it should be distributed, including that students must be notified of changes in written form
(paper or electronic).
REQUIRED
A written syllabus (paper or electronic) must be distributed to students in each course before or
during the first class meeting.
1. Course content: A course offered at any Penn State location, in any format, must include a
minimum of 80% of the core content and learning objectives approved by the Faculty Senate in
the most current course proposal2.
2. Course location(s) and meeting times; include lab or discussion section information.
3. Required course materials.
4. Contact information for all course instructors (including undergraduate or graduate assistants).
5. Expectations (i.e., course goals and student learning objectives):
a. Course Goals describe the broad knowledge domains and expectations for the course;
b. Course Objectives align with course goals, but are more explicit and represent behaviors,
skills, or attitudes that students will learn and demonstrate in the course; objectives are
assessed through class activities, assignments, examinations, and/or projects.
6. Grade breakdown by assessment type and percentage.
7. Examination policy: The course exam policy should include the dates, times, and locations of all
exams. The syllabus should also note if exams will be administered outside of class time, in the
evening3, or in the Pollock Testing Center at University Park.
8. General Education courses4 must clearly identify which of the General Education Objectives5 the
course will address.
9. Academic integrity statement. The Faculty Senate has provided an example syllabus statement6
on academic integrity, but your college, campus, or department may have its own academic
integrity statement7.
10. Academic adjustment/accommodation statement6.
11. Educational equity statement6.
12. Information about Counseling and Psychological Services6.
13. Include course instructions for a campus closure, with information about how you will
communicate changes in exam procedures, assignment deadlines, submission procedures, and
any other necessary instructions.
Examples of items 9-12 can be found at [Link]
Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, [Link], Pennsylvania State University
Updated in August 2025
RECOMMENDED
Notification of Changes
Although not required, consider adding a “subject to change” statement to your syllabus because it may be
viewed as a binding contract between instructor and student.
Basic Course Information
Course name, ID and number, and section (e.g., ENGL 15, Section 12)
Office hours and how to arrange a meeting at other times
Website
Prerequisites (courses, skills, experience)
Methods for Learning and Teaching
Method(s) of course delivery (e.g., face-to-face, synchronous/asynchronous online, hybrid)
Teaching methods (e.g., group work, online discussions, lecture)
Student responsibilities (e.g., student will need to use Canvas to post assignments)
Course Calendar and Schedule
The calendar/schedule clearly illustrates the time and date requirements for topics, readings, assignments,
exams, projects, special activities, etc.
Course Requirements
Required activities (e.g., assignments, projects, class attendance, in-class participation, etc.)
Required technology (e.g., clicker, software)
Course Policies
Attendance, missed classes, lateness
Late projects/assignments
Make-up quizzes or exams
Artificial Intelligence. See: [Link] and in particular FAQs specific to GenAI for
instructional faculty
Extra credit
Course Resources
Location and full descriptions of any additional or optional materials
1 [Link]
2 [Link]
3 [Link]
4 [Link]
5 [Link]
6 [Link]
7 [Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, [Link], Pennsylvania State University
Updated in August 2025