Minimum Syllabus Requirements Templates 

(Updated 2020)

The Faculty Senate approved a significant revision to the university’s Minimum Syllabus Requirements (MSR) in August 2020.

You should be aware of the following major changes to the MSR.

1.  Faculty are responsible for ensuring their electronic syllabus meets accessibility standards (see TAMU SAP 29.01.04.M0.02). This requirement was added to the MSR.
2.    The requirements are grouped into two categories: course information and university policies.
3.    The university policies section includes revisions to the Academic Integrity Statement and Policy (Aggie Honor statement) and ADA Policy. In addition, statements were added for Attendance, Makeup Work, Title IX, and Mental Health and Awareness.

 If faculty are interested in the rationale and justification for the MSR changes, please review the cover letter provided as Attachment B to the June 13, 2020, Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda.

Microsoft Word Syllabus Template

The Faculty Senate provides the following Microsoft Word syllabus template documents that include all required content for the syllabus AND meets minimum electronic document accessibility standards.

• Template for College Station, Galveston and Qatar (Faculty should use this template if their campus is not listed below.  The template includes placeholder indicators for where faculty should edit the document to reflect their local campus.)
•    School of Law Template

 

Canvas Syllabus Tool

As announced by Dr. Jocelyn Widmer, Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation, the new minimum syllabus requirements have been built into the blueprint that has been applied to all course shells in Canvas. Fall 2021 Minimum Syllabus Requirements are reflected in faculty Canvas shells under the Syllabus tool on each course navigation.

COVID Syllabus Statement for Fall 2022

The following optional syllabus statement on the value of vaccinations and masking was developed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate and approved by the Administration last August. It is being made available for use again this coming academic year.

To help protect Aggieland and stop the spread of COVID-19, Texas A&M University urges students to be vaccinated and to wear masks in classrooms and all other academic facilities on campus, including labs.  Doing so exemplifies the Aggie Core Values of respect, leadership, integrity, and selfless service by putting community concerns above individual preferences. COVID-19 vaccines and masking — regardless of vaccination status — have been shown to be safe and effective at reducing spread to others, infection, hospitalization, and death.