What should I put in my online course syllabus?

While syllabi for courses vary, there are some elements that should probably be included in every online course syllabus. The IC staff has collected the following listing for you to review as you construct your online syllabus.

The course description should communicate, in an abstract-like format, the overall content of the course. An enthusiastic tone will suggest your interest in and involvement with the topic.

General Course Information

• Prerequisites. Does this course fit into a degree or certification program? Since many of your students may be coming from outside the IU system, you may want to consider prerequisite skills and knowledge as well as citing actual course titles.
• Who can take the course? Is it primarily for elementary, secondary or post-secondary educators?
• How much class participation is required? Is it via email, chat or web-based conferencing?
• Required textbooks, materials and equipment (including software)

• What is the best way to contact you? By email, phone or other means?
• Contact policy. What will be your "office hours" policy? When will you be available to respond to email and conference comments?

• What are your instructional objectives for the course?
• How will your students demonstrate their achievement of these goals?

• How will final grades be computed? (How important are tests, homework, class participation, etc.)
• If you are giving letter grades for individual assignments, how are they calculated?
• What are your policies related to participation,, late work, etc?
• IMPORTANT: State your policy regarding Incomplete grades; what students need to do to get an Incomplete, how they can finish up coursework and get a final grade, how long they have to do this.

• Expectations and responsibilities of students in this course

• Schedule and/or calendar of assignments and exams
• List of texts and readings
• Study Guide, if you have one, (How to study effectively for this course and other tips)
• Links to aids such as QuizSite and PostEm

• Links to additional course-related reference materials and resources. Link to items you think would be of use or interest to your students.

  This page was created with input from TLTL and ISS.