University Syllabus Policy

Instructors must distribute a course syllabus for each class taught. Each syllabus must be posted electronically on Moodle by the first class day. Instructors should inform the students of their responsibility to access and use the syllabus. The syllabus should be given to the department head and dean by the tenth day of class and should be reviewed and updated each semester. The department head and dean should verify that syllabi requirements are met and maintain a file of all course syllabi for a five-year period.

The syllabus should provide the following information:

1. General course information:
   1. Course number and title
   2. Instructor name
   3. Office location and hours (on-campus student support hours, not remote or virtual)
   4. McNeese email address
   5. Course description as stated in the current catalog
   6. Prerequisite requirements (courses, experience, skills, permission, student classification, etc.) as stated in the current catalog
   7. Textbooks and other required materials
   8. Appropriate course designation statement(s):
      • General Education: “This course has been designated as a General Education course and, as such, addresses students’ achievement of this general education competency: [state the competency addressed in the course].”
2. Student learning outcomes (SLOs), which describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or attitudes students will develop from the course.
   1. Student Learning Outcome Examples:
      • Students communicate effectively in writing using American Psychological Association (APA) style, the accepted publication style of the discipline.
      • Students recognize and explain the major theoretical perspectives and key issues of debate in the academic study of philosophy.
      • Students design and conduct a research project relevant to engineering.
   2. Syllabi for courses taught at the 400 level that are also offered for graduate credit at the 500 level must identify SLOs and other course requirements for both undergraduate and graduate students. SACSCOC Standard 9.6 requires that courses that allow both undergraduate and graduate enrollment ensure that there is a clear distinction between the requirements of undergraduate students and graduate students; requirements for graduate-level credit should include content/assignments more advanced than that expected of undergraduate students.
3. Methods of evaluation or grading requirements:
   1. Must include frequency and types of examinations and assessments that impact the course grade.
   2. Must include the weight given to each assessment in calculating the course grade.
   3. Must include a grading scale that defines values for earning letter grades.
   4. Must adhere to the Exams or Student Learning Assessment Policy.
   5. Instructors must administer a final exam or assessment.
   6. Instructors must stipulate in course syllabi whether monitoring services for exams, such as ProctorU, will be required, what costs (if any) students will incur, and how to arrange for monitoring appointments.
4. Attendance policy:
   1. Instructors must include expectations regarding class attendance or online participation.
   2. Instructors using the Withdrawal from Courses for Non-Attendance Policy must clearly state so in the course syllabus and must either supply students with a copy of the policy or provide the web link through which students can access the policy online (https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/withdrawal-from-courses-for-non-attendance-policy/).
5. Additional University policies to include on syllabi:
   1. Academic Integrity Policy: This policy provides students, faculty, and staff with guidelines regarding expectations for academic integrity, what behaviors violate academic integrity, and the process for addressing academic integrity issues. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/academic-integrity-policy/
   2. Accessible Participation Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to register with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) when requesting an academic adjustment in accordance with ADA. It is highly recommended that students register as early as possible to receive the accommodations they need. Retroactive accommodations are not provided. Any student with a disability is encouraged to contact OAS, located in Frazar Memorial Library, Room 102, by any of the following: voice (337) 475-5916; fax (337) 475-5878; TDD/TTY, hearing impaired (337) 562-4227. All students, including students with disabilities, are responsible for locating the designated emergency exits and the areas of refuge in a classroom building and are encouraged to develop and discuss an evacuation plan with the class instructor. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/accessible-participation-policy/
   3. Equity and Inclusion Policy: Students should visit www.mcneese.edu/cdo and www.mcneese.edu/policy on the University website for policies and procedures regarding disabilities, equity and inclusion, sexual misconduct, anti-bullying, civility and personal conduct, and retaliation. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/equity-and-inclusion-policy/
   4. Fire Drill Policy: In compliance with the law, McNeese State University will periodically conduct fire drills. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/fire-drill-policy/
   5. Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy: While McNeese strives to provide access to computer labs and other technology, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate access to the technology required for a course. This may include access to a computer (not Chromebooks, iPads, etc.), webcam, internet, adequate bandwidth, etc. This requirement is a standard expectation for all courses regardless of initial course delivery format. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/acceptable-use-of-information-technology-resourc/
   6. Course Delivery Format: For courses initially being delivered in a face-to-face or hybrid format, the instructor may modify the course delivery method to ensure safety and to respond to constraints that may continue to change throughout the term. Courses beginning in a fully online format will remain online throughout the term. https://www.mcneese.edu/policy/course-delivery-classifications-policy/

Applicable University Policies

• Curriculum and Course Development Policy
• Exams or Student Learning Assessment Policy
• Grading System Policy
• Online Course Policy
• Study Day Policy
• Withdrawal from Courses and Resignation from University Policy
• Withdrawal from Courses for Non-Attendance Policy

Communication

This policy is distributed via the Academic Advisory Council and the University Policies webpage.