Regulations & Policies

Academic Affairs - Faculty

I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

This policy statement articulates the official position of the University of North Florida regarding preparation, maintenance, and distribution of syllabi for courses. This policy and all its provisions apply to all courses regardless of delivery method, subject to exceptions contained below.

II. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES

1. All syllabi must contain certain elements to (1) provide students with necessary information regarding their courses, (2) comply with accreditation standards, and (3) allow the University to meet State of Florida and Board of Governors requirements. Per Board of Governors Regulation 8.003, syllabi must be publicly posted and accessible at least 45 days before the first day of class each term, except for individualized courses such as directed independent studies, internships without instruction, thesis hours, dissertation hours, international exchanges, practicums/residencies, or performance courses.
2. This policy identifies the minimum required components/contents of UNF syllabi not exempted in section IIA above. Instructors of record are responsible for ensuring that their students are provided with a copy of the course syllabus and that each course syllabus is submitted to the syllabus database designated by the University no later than 45 days prior to the start of the semester in which the course is taught.

III. CONTENTS

All UNF course syllabi must contain the elements in sections A through J below.

1. Basic course information, including:
   1. Course number, course reference number (CRN), & title
   2. Semester & year of delivery
   3. Meeting dates/times, location(s)
   4. Course delivery modality
   5. Pre- and/or co-requisites of the course
   6. Starting in Fall 2026, a statement of how artificial intelligence tools may or may not be used in the course
2. Instructor and teaching assistant information, including:
   
   1. Names
   2. Contact information
   3. Office hours (dates/times and location)
3. Description of the course content, scope, and/or purpose
4. Goals and learning objectives or outcomes including any relevant program, department,
   college, professional, or accreditation standards and student expectations.
5. The course curriculum, including a list of course topics, required readings and schedule/calendar with clearly identified due dates for assignments
6. An explanation of how student performance will be measured, including:
   
   1. List of materials/assignments/exams and/or assessments, including an indication of which are optional if appropriate
   2. Weights or proportion of final grade determined by each assessment type
   3. Grading scale
   4. Attendance policy
   5. Policy on late work and/or missed exams
   6. A description of how and when students will receive their graded work
7. A list of all required and recommended textbooks and instructional materials, including:
   
   1. ISBN for each required and recommended textbook,
   2. Title,
   3. All authors listed, 
   4. Publishers, 
   5. Edition number,
   6. Copyright date,
   7. Published date
8. Specific information about items such as classroom response systems, online tools, and other items that are required or recommended
9. A course continuity of instruction plan
10. A statement describing UNF’s commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to request reasonable academic accommodations.
11. Standardized statements regarding Title IX, academic resources, and academic integrity, which will be provided by the University.

IV. CHANGES TO SYLLABI 

If an instructor finds it necessary to make substantive changes to a course after it has started, such as changes to schedule, assignments, or performance measures, a revised syllabus shall be distributed to students in a timely manner. Substantive changes should be made through the Simple Syllabus system.

V. SYLLABUS DATABASE AND ARCHIVE

1. In order to serve the needs of current and former students and alumni, UNF maintains current and archived course syllabi in a centralized repository.
2. Syllabus Database

   The syllabus database is designed to facilitate informed student choice and transparency about course materials, content, and costs.

   1. All instructors of record have access to the database to publish a syllabus for each of their courses.
   2. Department chairs have access to monitor syllabi submissions for the courses assigned to their department.
   3. Deans and associate deans have access to monitor syllabi submissions for their respective colleges.
   4. The institutional accreditation liaison and his/her designee have access to the syllabus database to assure compliance with regard to instructor of record credentialing guidelines.
   5. Instructors of record must publish their syllabi in the syllabus database no later than 45 days prior to the start of the term.
   6. Syllabi can be published as soon as the term schedule is published, even in the prior term.
   7. Instructions for utilizing the syllabus database are located at: https://www.unf.edu/cirt/Simple-Syllabus.html.
3. Syllabus Archive
   1. UNF maintains a syllabus archive to serve the needs of its alumni and former students. Inquiries related to archived syllabi should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.   
4. Additional Syllabus Guidance
   1. The Office of Faculty Excellence has a webpage providing additional guidance and information on syllabus creation Syllabus Design.
   2. The Graduate School has implemented policy 2.0930P, Cross-Level Listing of Graduate and Undergraduate Courses (https://www.unf.edu/regulations-policies/02-academicaffairs/2-0930P.html).

VI. AUTHORITY

ss. 1.004.85, 1007.25, Florida Statutes; BOG Regulation 8.003

Print Page