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Issue/Question
What are the required elements and format of a BHSU syllabus?
Environment
Resolution
Mandatory Syllabus Content
All BHSU syllabi must include mandatory content, including but not limited to:
- course policies required by the SD Board of Regents (SDBOR) and BHSU Academic Affairs (note that some must be used verbatim and others must be designed by the instructor)
- key course information, including how many credits the course carries, it's catalogue description, measurable learning outcomes, and more
- key instructor information, including contact information
A course syllabus should be uploaded to the D2L course and linked on the homepage at least three working days before the official start of the course. For documentation on SDBOR policy, see SDBOR Policy 2.7.3.1 and SDBOR Guideline 2.7.3.A(1). The templates provided by BHSU also align with guidelines from AAC Guideline 2.7.3.A(2) – Syllabus Template.
Syllabus Template
Find the current syllabus template attached to this page. If you are not able to find the syllabus you are looking for, email Instructional Design (ID@bhsu.edu).
Accessible Formatting
Syllabi must also be formatted to be accessible (in other words, the document should comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act). While this list is not exhaustive, compliance includes:
- a well structured document that uses Heading styles rather than font size or weight alone to indicate document hierarchy
- font and background combinations that create sufficient contrast to be read on screens
- no instance where color-coding alone indicates meaning within the document
- alternative text attached to any images
- if used, tables include clearly labeled header rows and avoid split or merged cells
To help faculty meet these requirements, BHSU Academic Affairs provides the attached syllabus template for BHSU courses. Please use the template and build your syllabus content from there to ensure that you are not missing key information. The provided template also includes compliant formatting for the content that is present (you will need to ensure additional content you add meets accessibility standards).
Additional Syllabus Resources
Online courses at BHSU are subject to policies related to Online Course Quality Review. Find information about that process and syllabus templates for online courses here: Online Course Review Process.
Find the Academic Calendar, including key dates like breaks, finals period, etc. on the BHSU wesbsite: BHSU Academic Calendar.
Finals Schedule: Visit the BHSU Registration & Records to view the following:
- Schedules for Finals Period by semester
- Class Schedule Listings by Semester, which includes meeting times, locations, and current enrollment
Visit BHSU's Policies and Procedures for additional information, including Academic Affairs policies related to final exams and more.