Tool Description
Simple Syllabus is a university-supported software tool that faculty members can use to create and share course syllabi. This tool simplifies syllabus creation, promotes accessibility, and ensures alignment with university and state policies. It is available for voluntary use in the Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 semesters. Beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, all faculty will be required to use Simple Syllabus or provide a fully accessibility syllabus for all courses.
Instructions & Resources
The following instructional and resource documents are provided to assist you with Simple Syllabus:
- Instructor Quick Start Guide (password is simple)
- TAMU/Simple Syllabus Training Video (Faculty Affairs training on 3/19/26)
Faculty Training - Fall 2026 Semester
All sessions will use the same Zoom link.
Pick the session that works best for you. Same virtual training room.
Multiple Options Available: 8/27/26 - 8/24/26
Training Schedule
|
Day |
Date |
Time |
|
Monday |
8/17/26 |
3-4pm |
|
Tuesday |
8/18/26 |
6-7pm |
|
Wednesday |
8/19/26 |
10-11am |
|
Thursday |
8/20/26 |
11am-12pm |
|
Friday |
8/21/26 |
12-1pm |
|
Monday |
8/24/26 |
6-7pm |
For faculty preparing syllabi for the upcoming term, use the Zoom Link above to join any listed session.
Training is provided by the Office of Distance and Digital Education. For more information, contact Dr. Kelly Shaffer, 979-845-5545.
Getting Started with Simple Syllabus
Simple Syllabus has been enabled for everyone in the Fall 2025 Canvas course templates. If it is not visible on your course navigation pane on the left-hand side, you can enable it by following these steps:
- Go to your Canvas course
- Click on Settings
- Select the Navigation tab
- Locate Simple Syllabus in the list
- Click the three dots next to it and choose Enable
- Click Save
You should now see Simple Syllabus in your course navigation, and you can follow the same steps to disable it.
Simple Syllabus User Roles
|
Role Name
|
Permissions
|
|
Admin
|
Has access to all functionality, can unpublish syllabi.
|
|
Alternate Teacher
|
Can edit syllabi but will not show up as the instructor.
|
|
College Manager
|
Can edit syllabi and run reports.
|
|
Course Approver
|
Can approve course masters.
|
|
Course Editor
|
Can edit course masters.
|
|
Designer
|
Can edit syllabi, but will not show up in the course.
|
|
Report Admin
|
Can run reports but not edit any syllabi.
|
|
Section Approver
|
Can approve syllabi.
|
|
TA
|
Can edit the syllabi but will not show up in the course unless added by the instructor.
|
|
TA Lead
|
Can edit the syllabi but will not show up in the course unless added by the instructor.
|
|
Template Editor
|
Can edit the college or department level template. Requires approval.
|
|
University Template Editor
|
Limited to Administrators. Requires approval.
|
Please note that whether you use Simple Syllabus or not for the Summer, 2026 semester, you will still need to upload your syllabi to Howdy. Starting with the Fall, 2026 semester, you will no longer need to upload your syllabi to Howdy. Howdy will be linked to Simple Syllabus.