Simple Syllabus
What is Simple Syllabus?
Simple Syllabus is a tool integrated with Canvas that provides pre-made syllabus templates customized with required and recommended University polices. View examples at the UT Austin Simple Syllabus Library. Simple Syllabus is available for all courses in the Navigation Menu in Canvas under “UT Simple Syllabus.”
Why Simple Syllabus?
Instructors who use Simple Syllabus can ensure they are providing consistent and accessible syllabi that also align with best practices. Over 25 Texas higher education institutions currently use the tool to support providing a streamlined and user-friendly syllabus experience for students.
Simple Syllabus can:
- Publish interactive syllabi directly in Canvas
- Offer tips to improve digital accessibility
- Pre-fill with registrar course information and University policies — including guidance on generative AI
- Show statistics on student views of your syllabus
- Import previous Simple Syllabus syllabi for future courses
- Provide a PDF version that you can submit to your department
- Satisfy the publishing requirement of the Canvas Adoption Policy
Training and Support are available from our Enterprise Learning Technology team through workshops, office hours and one-on-one support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple Syllabus is available for all current term courses in the Navigation Menu in Canvas under “UT Simple Syllabus.” Faculty editors can make changes and publish their course syllabus directly from the “UT Simple Syllabus” tab. Additionally, faculty and staff editors can manage/edit their current term Simple Syllabus syllabi by logging into the UT Austin Simple Syllabus Library using their SSO login.
If you need additional support, visit the Academic Tech at UT Simple Syllabus page or contact the Enterprise Learning Technology team at canvas@utlists.utexas.edu.
The large majority of course content will be freely editable, and instructors will also be able to easily add content, sections and media. Additionally, the University’s recommended and required language will be pre-populated for you. Recommend language will be freely editable.
Yes. Simple Syllabus workshops and consults are available with the Enterprise Learning Technology team. Training schedule and consult links are available on the AT @ UT Canvas page.
Yes! Simple Syllabus will update nightly and that information will be updated in your syllabus automatically.
Yes.
Possibly- check with your department.
What is now automatic: As of Fall 2026, when you publish your syllabus in Simple Syllabus, a link to it appears automatically in the UT Syllabi & CV Repository. This satisfies the public posting requirement under HB 2504 with no further action from you, and because it is a live link, edits you make in Simple Syllabus are reflected there.
If your department still asks for a PDF: You can print or export your Simple Syllabus as a PDF. Be sure to export the Public PDF version — exporting while logged in defaults to the Private version, which may include content you did not intend to share. View one-pager guide here.
contact us
Visit the UT Austin Simple Syllabus Library
View published Simple Syllabus examples from UT faculty within the UT Austin Simple Syllabus Library.
Training, Workshops and Support
Training and support are from our Enterprise Learning Technology team through workshops, office hours, and one-on-one support.
Share Your Feedback
We value your feedback on your experience with Simple Syllabus and actively use it to improve the process. Use the form link below to share your feedback.