UNC Charlotte Academic Procedure: Undergraduate and Graduate Syllabus Requirements and Guidance
I. Executive Summary
This procedure outlines UNC Charlotte requirements on the implementation of UNC Policy Manual 400.1.6[R], Regulation on Publication of Academic Calendars, Grading Policies, and Related Materials related to syllabi publication.
II. Procedure Statement
A. Syllabus Requirements
The following information must be public and readily accessible to students and the public in the form of a course syllabus no later than one (1) week prior to the first day of classes for the applicable semester or session. Faculty are expected to follow applicable University and College/Department processes for uploading syllabi to the University’s public database.
At a minimum, the posted syllabus must include the following information (unless it is not applicable):
Required Syllabus Information:
| Syllabus date | Semester and year |
| Course information | – Course name and number/prefix – Section number – Cross-listed courses – Pre- or co-requisites – Student learning outcomes |
| Course description | Describe course (consistent with catalog description) |
| List of all course materials required for purchase | Include a list of textbooks with ISBN, articles, lab supplies, equipment, course packs, electronic materials, etc. that students are expected to purchase as part of the course. |
| Grading policies, methods of evaluation, and performance expectations | Include an explanation of how student performance will be assessed, including: grading scale, percentage breakdown of major assignments, and how attendance or participation will affect a student’s final grade. |
| Non-endorsement statement | A statement noting that the course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement. |
Optional Syllabus Information:
| See Suggested Syllabus Policies for specific language for each of the following: | |
| General Academic Policies | – To clearly notify students of course expectationsTo permit changes to the syllabus – To encourage orderly and productive classroom conductTo clearly state a policy on attendance (including use of Attendance with Poll Everywhere, if applicable) – To clearly state a policy on absences (including religious accommodations under University Policy 409 and attendance expectations under Academic Affairs Policy on Course Attendance and Participation) – To clearly state a policy on the instructor’s absence or tardinessTo clearly state the policy on credit hours and student work for a lab (if applicable) – To notify students of their rights and responsibilities in obtaining disability accommodations – To notify students about non-discrimination in the classroom – To notify students of University reporting expectations re: incidents of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual and interpersonal misconduct – To explain University policy on withdrawals (including Academic Policy: Withdrawal and Cancellation of Enrollment Policy) – To notify students about the record of their last date of attendance (for financial aid purposes) when a student fails to earn a passing grade in a course – To notify students of copyright ownership in course materials – To prevent use of cell phones or other mobile communication devices in the classroom (if applicable) – To regulate computer use in the classroom (if applicable) |
| Policies Related to Academic Integrity | – To address academic integrity violations, including plagiarism (under the Code of Student Academic Integrity) – To distinguish violations of syllabus policies from academic integrity violations – Policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) – To prohibit the use of unauthorized materials (CourseHero, Chegg, etc.) – To notify students about instructor use of plagiarism or AI detection tools (if applicable) |
| Policies Related to Technology, Including Online or Hybrid Courses, Exams, or Exercises (if applicable) | – To notify students that you will be recording class sessions – To prohibit student recording in the classroom (in person or online) – To notify students that you will require webcam use in classTo require remote class participants to use neutral video backgrounds – To notify students that you will be monitoring their analytics on Canvas – To notify students that you will use Respondus LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor for exams and assessments – To prevent sexual harassment in web-based or web-assisted courses |
| Suggested Notices | – Disability accommodations – To promote help-seeking behaviors – Basic Needs Statement – Wellbeing resources from Integrated Care (IC) at the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – FERPA Notification |
| Academic Resources | Academic support for students – University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE) – Writing Resources Center (WRC) – Atkins LibraryDisability Services – Center for Graduate Life & Learning (CGL) See also Suggested Notices |
NOTES:
Multiple course sections
If multiple sections of a course are identical, a single syllabus with the relevant section numbers can be used.
Undergraduate and graduate course distinctions
If both graduate and undergraduate versions of the course are to be offered, each course must have its own syllabus.
College or Department Syllabus Policies
Faculty are expected to comply with program, department and/or college-specific syllabus policies. Those policies, and any course-specific policies, must not conflict with any required syllabus policies and must not be discriminatory or arbitrary.
B. Additional Course Information
Instructors may provide additional information in the learning management system, such as:
- Detailed assignments
- Additional course materials not for purchase
- Course meeting time and location
- Instructor information:
- name
- title
- college
- department
- building
- office number
- office hours
- contact information (email, phone)
- preferred method of contact
C. Syllabus Guidance
Keep Syllabus Updated
When adapting the syllabus for the same course in subsequent semesters:
- Review all hyperlinks and external references for accuracy, and update any that are outdated.
- Review the University syllabus template/requirements above for any changes or updates that require updates to your syllabus.
- Check for University, college, and departmental policies that might be new or have changed and that may require updates to your syllabus.
Syllabus Retention
In accordance with the UNC Records Retention and Disposition Schedule (Section 12.11), each course syllabus must be retained for four (4) years and should then be destroyed.
How to Create a Syllabus
See How to Create a Syllabus: Advice Guide (Chronicle of Higher Education) for guidance on creating and implementing a syllabus, including:
- Reflecting on syllabus success and effectiveness
- Encouraging students to read the syllabus
- Applying syllabus consistently
III. Definitions
N/A
IV. Procedure Contact(s)
- Authority: Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Responsible Office: Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
V. History
- Established: May 4, 2026
- Consultation by Faculty Council: April 30, 2026
VI. Related Policies, Procedure, and Resources
- UNC Policy Manual 400.1.6[R] Regulation on Publication of Academic Calendars, Grading Policies, and Related Materials
- How to Create a Syllabus: Advice Guide (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- UNC Charlotte Office of the Provost: Syllabi Regulation