Purpose
This policy establishes the requirements for course syllabi at McNeese State University to ensure consistency, transparency, and academic integrity across all instructional formats. It outlines the essential components that must be included in each syllabus, establishes expectations for timely publication and departmental review, and recognizes the syllabus as a foundational tool for communicating what knowledge, skills, and abilities students should learn as a result of successfully completing the course.
Policy
The University utilizes a syllabus management system, integrated into the learning management system (LMS).
For every credit-bearing course, regardless of delivery method, faculty must finalize course syllabus in the syllabus management system at least five calendar days before the first day of class for the applicable term or part of term. By the same deadline, the course must be active in the LMS so that enrolled students can access the syllabus.
Faculty must follow the course syllabus and inform students of their responsibility to access, read, and refer to the course syllabus throughout the term. The syllabus should clearly communicate student learning outcomes, attendance expectations, methods of evaluation, grading scale, and available University resources.
Faculty should review and update each course syllabus before every term in which the course is offered. Department heads are responsible for verifying that course syllabi comply with the requirements outlined below.
Effective Summer 2026, the syllabus management system serves as the University’s official syllabus archive. For syllabi created before Summer 2026, department heads must maintain records to ensure that course syllabi are retained and accessible for a minimum of ten years.
Required Syllabi Components
All syllabi must include, at a minimum, the following information:
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- Course prefix, number, and title
- Instructor of record’s name
- Office location and hours (Faculty teaching fully online course sections must include virtual office hours)
- McNeese email address
- Course description as stated in the current Academic Catalog
- Prerequisite requirements as stated in the current Academic Catalog
- Textbooks and other required materials
- Student learning outcomes (SLOs) that describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or attitudes students are expected to demonstrate upon successful completion of the course.
- Student Learning Outcome Examples:
- The student will communicate effectively in writing using American Psychological Association (APA) style, the accepted publication style of the discipline.
- The student will recognize and explain the major theoretical perspectives and key issues of debate in the academic study of philosophy.
- The student will design and conduct a research project relevant to engineering.
- Syllabi for 400-level courses that are also offered for graduate credit at the 500 level must identify distinct SLOs and course requirements for both undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate-level requirements must include assignments, expectations, and assessments that are more advanced than those required for undergraduate students and must be evaluated accordingly. This distinction is required to comply with SACSCOC Standard 9.6.
- Syllabi for General Education courses must include the following statement in the Student Learning Outcome section: “This course has been designated as a General Education course and, as such, addresses students’ achievement of this General Education student learning outcome: [state the General Education SLO for the area of the General Education Curriculum in which this course is listed].”
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- Methods of evaluation or grading requirements must:
- Include frequency and types of examinations and assessments that contribute to the course grade.
- Include the weight assigned to each graded assessment.
- Include a grading scale used to determine final letter grades.
- Adhere to the Exams or Student Learning Assessment Policy.
- Faculty must administer a final exam or assessment during the scheduled final exam period.
- If examinations require monitoring or proctoring services, the syllabus must state the requirement(s) and identify any costs that may be incurred by students as well as the procedures for scheduling or arranging proctoring services.
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- Expectations regarding students’ use of artificial intelligence (AI):
- Faculty have discretion regarding the extent to which they allow students to use AI for their coursework; however, faculty must clearly communicate their expectations regarding the use of AI in syllabi and are encouraged to utilize one of the following statements:
- AI Use Prohibited: Students are expected to produce and submit work that is entirely their own, whether individually or, in the case of group assignments, collaboratively. While students are free to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to study, the use of AI to generate any work submitted for a grade in this course is prohibited and constitutes a violation of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
- AI Use Permitted with Appropriate Attribution: Students may use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for specific assignments if permitted by the faculty member and outlined in the assignment instructions. In accordance with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, students must disclose any use of AI-generated content and provide appropriate attribution, including in-text citations, quotations, and references. Students should not share sensitive or private information when using AI tools. This includes, but is not limited to, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), financial data, intellectual property (IP), and any legally protected information.
- Course Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy:
- Faculty must include expectations regarding class attendance or online participation (see Course Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy).
- Faculty who enforce the Withdrawal from Courses for Non-Attendance provisions of the Course Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy must clearly state so in the course syllabus.
- Faculty must include the following statements on all syllabi:
- Academic and Student Support Services: McNeese offers students many services for free, including but not limited to tutoring, counseling, and career testing. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize all available academic and student support services listed on the Academic and Student Support Services page of the Academic Catalog.
- 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. View the policy: Academic Integrity Policy
- Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy: 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. View the policy: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy
- Accessible Participation Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to register with the Office of Accessibility Services when requesting an academic adjustment in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (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 the Office of Accessibility Services, located in the Burton Business Center, Room 205A, by phone at (337) 475-5916, by fax at (337) 475-5878, or by email at ssd@mcneese.edu. 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 faculty member.View the policy: Accessible Participation Policy
- Civility and Personal Conduct Policy: Students should visit the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility page and the University Policies page on the University website for policies and procedures regarding disabilities, sexual misconduct, anti-bullying, civility and personal conduct, and retaliation. View the policy: Civility and Personal Conduct Policy
- Class Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy: The University recognizes that student attendance and active participation in courses directly contribute to academic success. This policy establishes regulations and procedures for course attendance and participation, withdrawal from courses, and resignation from the University due to personal, medical, family, financial, or other reasons. View the policy: Course Attendance, Withdrawal, and Resignation Policy
- Course Delivery Classifications Policy: For courses initially being delivered in a face-to-face or hybrid format, the faculty member may modify the course delivery method to ensure safety and to respond to constraints that may continue to change throughout the term such as weather or other events that may disrupt face-to-face instruction. Courses beginning in a fully online format will remain online throughout the term. View the policy: Course Delivery Classifications Policy
- Fire Drill Policy: In compliance with the law, McNeese State University will periodically conduct fire drills. View the policy: Fire Drill Policy
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- Student Handbook: Students should refer to the Student Handbook for the list of Student Rights and Responsibilities as well as the Code of Student Conduct. View the handbook: Student Handbook
- Title IX Grievance Procedure: This policy outlines the procedures for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of sexual harassment and sex discrimination in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. McNeese State University is committed to providing an educational and work environment free from sexual harassment. Students are encouraged to review the full policy for details on their rights, available resources, and how to file a complaint. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility, located in the Burton Business Center, Suite 407, by phone at (337) 475-5428, or by email at compliance@mcneese.edu. View the policy: Title IX Grievance Procedure
Applicable University Policies
Communication
This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.
