Adding Your Syllabus to Canvas

How do I Add a Syllabus to my Canvas Course?

You have a few different options for adding your syllabus to your Canvas course. You can add it directly onto the Syllabus page that is linked in the left-side course navigation panel, you can add it to a module as a PDF file, or you can create a module for syllabus content or a syllabus page within a module. These different options are explained below, and they each have pros & cons, so feel free to reach out to our instructional designers to decide which is right for your teaching style. Whichever method you choose, though, the important thing is that your syllabus is in a location that is easy for students to recognize and access.

Using the Canvas Syllabus Page

Canvas provides a space specifically for the course syllabus that is easily accessed through the Syllabus link within the left-side course navigation panel. The Syllabus page is made up of three parts: the description, the course summary (list of assignments and due dates), and the sidebar (calendar and assignment weights). View the video below to learn more about the three sections that comprise the Syllabus page and how to modify them.

Note that building your syllabus on the Syllabus page requires use of the Rich Content Editor, which is the interface that allows you to create and edit content in a visually intuitive manner without requiring knowledge of coding languages. We discuss the Rich Content Editor on the Creating and Editing with the Rich Content Editor page

Adding Your Syllabus as Module Pages 

Another way to add your syllabus to your Canvas course is by adding it into a module as a page or by separating the content into several pages. To add a page to a module: 

1. Click the plus icon (+) to the right of the module title, which will open the Add Item window.
2. Select Page from the drop-down menu.
3. Select [Create Page].
4. Type in an appropriate name for your page.
5. Click Add Item.

Once you've created the page within the module, you can click the page name to open it and then click Edit at the top right corner of the page to type (or copy and paste) your content into the Rich Content Editor. We discuss the Rich Content Editor on the Creating and Editing Content in Canvas.

Adding Your Syllabus as a File

If you'd like students to be able to access your syllabus even when they're offline, you can add it to your course as a file in a module. If you choose this option, we recommend adding files in PDF format.

To add a file to a module:

1. Click the plus icon (+) to the right of the module title, which will open the Add Item window.
2. Select File from the drop-down menu.
3. Select [Create File(s)] if the syllabus file has not already been uploaded to your Canvas course. If you have already uploaded the syllabus file, then select the file name from the available options.
4. If you selected [Create File(s)], click Choose Files, which will then allow you to choose the syllabus file from the files on your computer.
5. After selecting the relevant file, click Add Item.

Syllabus Strategizing

Now that you've explored different ways to add your syllabus to your Canvas course, you might be wondering, "which one should I use?" Well, the answer is...it depends! 

If you have time before your course starts, we recommend building your syllabus content as pages in a 'Start Here' module. If you're pressed for time and already have your syllabus as a digital file, like a PDF, uploading it to an easy-to-find location is also a good option. The table below lists the pros and cons of these approaches for adding your syllabus to Canvas. Please don't hesitate to contact our instructional designers if you'd like to discuss these ideas further.

Get Started with Sample Syllabus Language

As an instructor at Community Colleges of Spokane, the faculty collective bargaining agreement gives you a great deal of academic freedom in designing and delivering your course content; however, if you'd find it helpful to see some example language to help you get started, eLearning has developed a collection of syllabus language samples. The sample language can be found in the Syllabus Sample Language Repository. Feel free to use and modify it to suit your needs! 

Humanize your Syllabus

Your course syllabus is often the first impression that your students have of your course. In the Tech Talks recording linked below, we discuss ways that you can create a syllabus that sets the tone for a positive, supportive, and successful learning experience for your students.