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Course Information Policy (Policy 4095)

University Policy 4095

Download a Printable Version of Policy 4095

Effective Date

March 31, 2026

Last Revision Date

March 31, 2026

Responsible Party

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, (208) 426-1202

Scope and Audience

All employees who are instructors of record.

Additional Authority

1. Policy Purpose

To ensure that all students at Boise State University receive essential information about their courses in order to make informed decisions about enrollment and participation, and to provide instructors with clear expectations regarding the elements of course information that are consistent with the responsibilities outlined in Boise State University Policy 4000, Section 5.3.1. This policy aims to standardize essential course information provided across all courses while respecting faculty discretion over course content and pedagogy.

2. Policy Statement

To ensure effective communication between students and faculty, Boise State University requires course instructors to provide basic information about the course to students at the beginning of the course. Generally, the required information will be provided in a course syllabus, in print or digital format, and/or a course information page through the Learning Management System (LMS). The syllabus or course information page on the LMS system must include essential details as defined below, be accessible to students, align with accessibility standards (per University Policy 2080 Section 3.2.d) and be capable of being retained in digital format as required by Section __ below Instructors are responsible for assisting in the process of archiving course information by providing a digitally formatted copy to the appropriate program or department.

This policy serves multiple purposes:

  • Facilitating Communication: It ensures students have the necessary information to successfully navigate their courses.
  • Clarifying Responsibilities: It outlines faculty responsibilities and provides students with clear expectations.
  • Ensuring Archival Access: It supports adherence to accreditation standards, articulation agreements, and course transfer requirements.

While faculty retain discretion over course content and instructional methods, as outlined in University Policy 4000 and Idaho State Board of Education Policy III.B., the inclusion of required elements in course syllabi or a course information page promotes consistency, transparency, and accountability across all courses. This policy underscores the syllabus or course information page as a key location for communicating expectations, enhancing both teaching and learning at Boise State University.

3. Responsibilities and Procedures

3.1 Required Elements

The syllabus or course information page must include the information described below related to course requirements and structure. Faculty determine the course content, instructional methods, and specific assessment and evaluation criteria that best support the course’s outcomes for student learning. Faculty are expected to align course syllabi with departmental and university academic standards and learning outcomes as part of their role in shared governance, reflecting the principles outlined in Boise State University Policy 4000, Sections 5.3.3 and 5.4, and as required by Program Assessment Reporting.

Course information, structure, and expectations:

  • Basic information: The course title, number, and term.
  • Instructor(s) information:  Instructor’s name, contact information, and office hour availability. Include information about teaching assistants, if applicable.
  • Instructional Mode: Define how the course will be delivered (e.g., in-person, remote, hybrid, online) See https://www.boisestate.edu/registrar/registration/course-delivery-types/.
  • Learning outcomes: List what the student should learn or be able to do upon completing the course. Course learning outcomes should be aligned with the learning outcomes for the program (e.g., Major, Minor, University Foundations, etc.).
  • Required materials and specialized technological requirements:
    • List required text(s) and/or materials and how to access these materials..
    • List specialized technical requirements for students to participate effectively (e.g. content-specific software/apps or AI use).
  • Assessments and evaluation methods:
    • List the types of assessments (e.g., exams, papers, projects, participation) and how they contribute to the final grade.
    • Include the grading scale.
    • Include information about proctored exams or assessments, if applicable.
  • Attendance and participation policy:
    • Include a clear statement about any attendance and/or participation expectations, conforming to Boise State’s policy on university-recognized absences (Policy 3120).
  • Academic Integrity Policy: Include language that sets expectations about what constitutes academic misconduct, conforming to University Policy 4180 (Faculty Responsibility to Address Student Academic Misconduct) Section 3.a. See also Academic Integrity Syllabus Statements.

In addition, Instructors may include additional elements as illustrated in the templates referenced in Section 5 below.

3.2 Exclusions or Special Circumstances

  • Some programs have required syllabus or course information pages that meet or exceed the expectations in this policy.
  • Course syllabi or information pages may be subject to additional programmatic accreditation requirements not defined in this policy.
  • Courses corresponding to graduate  masters’ thesis, dissertation, practicum, and research hours are not subject to this policy.
  • Non-credit-bearing courses are not subject to this policy; however, instructors of such courses are encouraged to use the principles of this policy to ensure students have the information needed to be successful.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Faculty Responsibilities

All faculty, regardless of course modality, must submit a copy of the syllabus or LMS course information page—including all required elements outlined in this policy—to the program office for each course they teach by the end of each semester.

4.2 Departmental Responsibilities

Departments and programs will keep a digital copy of each syllabus/course information page for at least seven (7) years from the end of the semester in which the course was delivered for accreditation purposes.

5. Related Information

Course information templates have been prepared by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the University Foundations program and the eCampus Center.

Revision History

March 31, 2026