Syllabus Development

A learning-centered course syllabus is a learning plan for students and is required for every course that is offered at Yavapai College.

Syllabus Purpose and Standards

A learning-centered course syllabus is a learning plan for students and is required for every course that is offered at Yavapai College. The official Yavapai College course outline is the foundation for the course syllabus. While the course outline defines the learning outcomes and content required for district-wide delivery, the course syllabus is where the instructor brings the course alive. It injects instructional creativity, innovative instructional strategies, and directed accountability into the course.

Every course syllabus must incorporate the components identified below in the Required Components of the Course Syllabus section. While instructors may prepare the course syllabus in the professional format that best represents the course and meets the needs of students, a template is available to assist in syllabus development.

A copy of your completed syllabus must be provided to your Dean or designee prior to the first class meeting.

Required Course Syllabus Components:

  1. Course title and number
  2. Credit hours
  3. Name(s) of instructor(s) and instructor contact information (YC email and YC phone number)
    Note: Adjunct faculty may list their department phone number.
  4. Office location
  5. Office or Web hours
  6. Course description
  7. Course Content & Learning Outcomes
  8. Course requirements
  9. Methods of evaluation; grading system, how grades will be posted
  10. Makeup exam policy
  11. Required and optional texts
  12. Final exam date and time
  13. Other required course material
  14. Institutional Policies and Instructor Procedures
    Please add this link to your syllabus. It will take students to Yavapai College's institutional Policies and Instructor Procedures.
  15. Generative AI Statement
    Faculty will copy one AI statement that meets the need of your course and paste in your course syllabus.
  16. Faculty Response Time
    Faculty will state a time frame for returning graded assignments and responding to daily student correspondence. When not available during stated time, an out of office message or Canvas announcement should include a time frame when faculty will be able to respond to student correspondence.
  17. Regular and Substantive Interaction
    Include information on clear expectations for interactions, how frequently students can expect to hear from the instructor, and how quickly they can expect a response to questions and to work they submit.  *Note: For online courses only.
  18. Syllabus Calendar, Schedule or Agenda
    Detail how the learning outcomes are aligned to the activities/assignments. See the syllabus template below for an example.
  19. Other Faculty Procedures
    Faculty may augment all policies and procedures in areas to reflect their specific procedures.
  20. Syllabus is subject to change, as deemed appropriate by the instructor. Necessary revisions will be in writing and posted in Canvas with fair prior notice.

Resources