Course Proposal Sample Syllabus Requirements

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Policy Number:
UW-1065
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The U.S. Department of Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and UW-Madison recognize a course syllabus is required for each course offering. This policy specifies what is and is not required in a course proposal sample syllabus.

Definitions:
Course Attribute
A unique value associated with a course that identifies it as addressing certain interests, meeting certain requirements, and/or offering certain opportunities. Course attributes are published in the Guide, in the Course Search & Enroll App, and in the Student Information System (SIS). For purposes of this policy, course attributes are applicable at the “catalog” or course level and not the section level, to all students enrolled in the course.
Credit Hour

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

(1)One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or

(2)At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Alternatively, a credit hour is defined as the learning that takes place in at least 45 hours of learning activities, which include time in lectures or class meetings, in-person or online, laboratories, examinations, presentations, tutorials, preparation, reading, studying, hands-on experiences, and other learning activities; or a demonstration by the student of learning equivalent to that established as the expected product of such a period of study.

In all cases, learning in for-credit courses is guided by a qualified instructor and includes regular and substantive student-instructor interaction.

Mode of Instruction
A component of a course section’s format that indicates where course section meetings occur, e.g., in-person, online, etc. All modes of instruction use a range of pedagogical methods, e.g., blended, flipped, etc. which are not indicated in the Student Information System (SIS) or in Course Search and Enroll.
Subject Listing
Structure for organizing groups of courses in a related subject area or topic that represent a coherent area of study.
Scope:

All instructors responsible for group instruction at UW-Madison.

Policy:

A course syllabus is required when a course proposal is submitted and must follow the requirements for course syllabi at UW-Madison. Some information that is specific to a course offering, such as instructor name, location, etc. is not required, although it is recommended this information be included when known. The following items are required:

Key Course Offering Information

  • Institution name
  • Subject and catalog number
  • Course title
  • Number of credits
  • Course designations and attributes (if any)
  • Course description
  • Requisites
  • Instructional mode
  • Learning outcomes
  • How credit hours are met by the course

Instructor-to-Student Communication

  • Discussion sessions (if applicable)
  • Laboratory sessions (if applicable)
  • The required textbook, software, and other course materials
  • Indication of time devoted to individual topics via academic activities
  • A representative list of readings
  • Homework and other Assignments
  • Exams, quizzes, papers, and other major graded work
  • Grading

Academic Policies and Statements

  • Not required

Special accrediting bodies may have additional or different syllabus requirements.

Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Revised Dates:

11-10-2017, 06-30-2023, 10-13-2023

Retrieved:
07-17-2025 21:50:53