Updates to the Undergraduate Course Syllabus Policy

Monday
To: Faculty, Academic Advisors, Student Support Personnel, and Students
From: Abbie Sorg, Assistant Registrar, Academic Catalog & Policy
Subject: Updates to the Undergraduate Course Syllabus Policy
Date: May 11, 2026

The Office of the Registrar proposed updates to the Undergraduate Course Syllabus Policy to improve clarity, consistency and student access to essential course information. These updates standardize syllabus expectations, clarify requirements for individualized learning experiences, and relocate the policy to the University Catalog for better alignment with academic policies.

The updated policy was approved by the Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate College Academic Administrators Council, Faculty Senate and the Provost. Amendments to the policy include the following:

  • Required instructors to distribute or post syllabi on the first day of class, ensuring students have immediate access to course expectations and can make informed enrollment decisions without penalty.
  • Added a definition and guidance for an Individualized Learning Contract, clarifying expectations for courses such as independent study, internships, research or thesis work where a standard syllabus may not apply.
  • Organized required syllabus elements into clear categories, creating a more consistent and user-friendly format for both instructors and students.
  • Relocated the policy from policy.arizona.edu to catalog.arizona.edu, improving accessibility and aligning the syllabus policy with other academic policies.

The amended Undergraduate Course Syllabus Policy will be effective for fall 2026. 

Questions about the policy update should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at catalog@arizona.edu.