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: 

 

Faculty Training - Spring 2026 Semester

The Office of Distance & Digital Education is offering Simple Syllabus Office Hours from 3/16/26-4/20/26. On the dates and times listed below, faculty can connect via the same Zoom link to get assistance with their syllabi and ask questions.

Simple Syllabus Office Hours Zoom Link: 

Office Hours Schedule

Mondays

3/16/26, 3/23/26, 3/30/26, 4/6/26, 4/13/26, 4/20/26

3-4 pm

Tuesdays

3/17/26, 3/24/26, 3/31/26, 4/7/26, 4/14/26

12-1 pm

Wednesdays

3/18/26, 3/25/26, 4/1/26, 4/8/26, 4/15/26

7-8 pm

Thursdays

3/19/26, 3/26/26, 4/2/26, 4/9/26, 4/16/26

7-8 pm

Fridays

3/20/26, 3/27/26, 4/3/26, 4/10/26, 4/17/26

10-11 am

Training with Simple Syllabus available on the following dates and times:

Training Zoom Link

Training Schedule
Monday, 3/16/26
12-1pm
Wednesday, 3/18/26
4-5pm
Friday, 3/20/26
1-2pm
Tuesday, 3/31/26
9-10am
Thursday, 4/2/26
3-4pm
Important Note:

Beginning with the Fall, 2026 semester, all faculty are required to use Simple Syllabus to generate their course syllabi. Canvas course templates are provisioned with the Simple Syllabus button in the course navigation pane. included under Student Resources on the course home page.

Master blueprint icon for Fall 2025

 

Simple Syllabus ·Simple Syllabus has been enabled for everyone in the Course Navigation Pane as part of the Canvas course template. If is not visible on your course navigation pane on the left-hand side, you can enable it by following these steps:

Use the Existing Syllabus Button without Simple Syllabus

If you choose not to use Simple Syllabus during Fall 2025, but want to keep the button, there are two recommended steps.

  1. Course File Method
    1. Create a syllabus file that meets the Faculty Senate Minimum Syllabus Requirements and passes digital accessibility standards.
    2. Add the file to your course by:
      1. Clicking on Modules
      2. Selecting a module (Student Resources recommended)
      3. Clicking the + icon on the top right of the module
      4. Selecting File from the drop-down box at the top
      5. Clicking [Create File(s)] and then Choose Files to find your syllabus
      6. Clicking Add Item
    3. Click on the newly added syllabus file and then copy the URL at the top of the page
    4. Return to the home page, click Edit, and click on the Syllabus button.
      1. In the Rich Content Editor, click on the link icon and select External Link
      2. Paste the link, click Done, and then click Save
    5. Disable Simple Syllabus in your course navigation pane

  2. Course Page Method
    1. Add a page in your Canvas course by following the same steps as the course file method above, except for choosing Page instead of File.
    2. Once the page has been added, add your content and ensure that the page and module are published.
    3. Return to the home page, click Edit, and click on the Syllabus button.
      1. In the Rich Content Editor, click the link icon and select Course Link
      2. Click on Pages and find the appropriate page name
      3. Click Save
    4. Disable Simple Syllabus in your course navigation pane

  3. External URL Method
    1. You can use this method to link your Syllabus button to an external file, such as from Google Drive.
    2. On the home page, click Edit, and click on the Syllabus button.
      1. In the Rich Content Editor, click on the link icon and select External Link
      2. Paste the link, click Done, and then click Save
    3. Disable Simple Syllabus in your course navigation pane.
Use the Existing Syllabus Button to Link to Simple Syllabus

If you choose to use Simple Syllabus during Fall 2025 and want to link to the button, simply: 

  1. Ensure that Simple Syllabus is enabled in the course navigation pane 
  1. Click on Simple Syllabus and copy the URL at the top of the page 
  1. Navigate to the home page 
  1. Click edit and click on the Syllabus button 
  1. In the Rich Content Editor, click on the link icon and select External Link 
    1. Paste the link, click Done, and then click Save 
Delete the Existing Syllabus Button

If you choose to delete the button for Fall 2025, simply: 

  1. Navigate to the home page 
  1. Click edit and click on the Syllabus button 
  1. Press delete key and click Save 
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: 

  1. Go to your Canvas course 
  2. Click on Settings 
  3. Select the Navigation tab 
  4. Locate Simple Syllabus in the list 
  5. Click the three dots next to it and choose Enable 
  6. 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
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.
Student Teacher
Can view public and private information included in the syllabus.
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.
Teacher
Can edit course syllabus.
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.