The Syllabus

The course syllabus is a foundational element of teaching and learning at Mesa Community College. More than a document, it establishes the tone for your course, communicates expectations, and provides students with a clear roadmap for success. A well-designed syllabus supports transparency, reduces confusion, and helps students understand how to engage effectively in your course.

Required Syllabus Components (Maricopa Policy)

In the Maricopa Community Colleges, syllabi are guided by Administrative Regulation 3.6: Syllabus. This regulation outlines required components that must be included in every course syllabus.

At a minimum, your syllabus should include:

• Course information (course title, prefix/number, credits)
• Instructor contact information and availability
• Course description and learning outcomes
• Course requirements and expectations
• Grading policies and evaluation methods
• Attendance and participation expectations
• Important institutional policies (e.g., academic integrity, student conduct)
• Key dates and/or course schedule (as applicable)

MCC Recommended Syllabus Statements

In addition to district requirements, Mesa Community College provides recommended syllabus statements aligned with college priorities, student support services, and institutional initiatives.

These statements are:

• Optional (not required by policy)
• Updated regularly for accuracy
• Designed to support student success and connection to resources

You are encouraged to include or adapt these statements in ways that best fit your course.Our College Recommended Syllabus Statements include: (Updated beginning Summer 2026)

• Academic Integrity & Conduct
• Additional Course Goals & Objectives
• Artificial Intelligence Statement
• Attendance Policy 
• Class Recordings
• Course Schedule
• Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
• Information for Students of Faith
• Student Email
• Student Support & Well-Being
• Tutoring & Academic Support

Build Your Syllabus with Simple Syllabus

To support you and ensure compliance with district requirements, MCC provides Simple Syllabus, available directly in Canvas.

Simple Syllabus creates a structured, accessible, and up-to-date syllabus for you – so you can focus on customizing your course content rather than formatting required statements.

Why use Simple Syllabus?

• Automatically pulls course data from SIS
• Includes all required and recommended district statements (kept current for you)
• Accessible by design (aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA standards)
• Customizable – edit, remove, or personalize sections as needed
• College-branded based on your campus location
• Fully integrated in Canvas

No need to start from scratch – your syllabus framework is already in your Canvas course under “Simple Syllabus.”

Using Your Own Syllabus Document (Google Doc or PDF)

You are welcome to continue using your own syllabus format. If you do:

• Ensure all required elements from Administrative Regulation 3.6 are included
• Ensure your document meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards (required by April 2026)
• Use accessible formatting (headings, lists, readable structure, alt text, etc.)

For support, enroll in our Accessibility Hub for guidance on creating accessible documents.

Syllabus Reconnaissance (First-Day Activity)

Rather than reading the syllabus aloud on the first day, consider engaging students in an interactive Syllabus Reconnaissance activity. This approach helps students actively explore the course, connect with peers, and begin taking ownership of expectations from day one.

How it works

1. Provide Access: Share your syllabus (Canvas, Simple Syllabus, or printed copy).
2. Quick Individual Scan (2–3 minutes): Ask students to skim and identify what stands out or feels most important.
3. Small Group Exploration (10–15 minutes): In groups of 2–4, students review the syllabus together using guiding questions.
4. Guiding Questions (choose a few):
   • What are the most important sections of this syllabus?
   • What are the key goals or outcomes of this course?
   • What assignments or expectations stand out?
   • What policies or requirements might impact your success?
   • What questions do you still have?
5. Share Out: Each group shares one key takeaway or question.
6. Instructor Wrap-Up: Clarify key points, address common questions, and highlight anything essential that may have been missed.

Tip: This activity sets the tone for an active, student-centered course while ensuring students actually engage with the syllabus – not just receive it.

Syllabus Acknowledgement

If you choose to use your own syllabus format (e.g., Google Doc or PDF), we recommend including a Syllabus Acknowledgement to confirm that students have accessed and reviewed key course information.

Why include an acknowledgement?

• Reinforces the importance of the syllabus as a course guide
• Encourages student accountability
• Provides documentation that students were informed of course expectations

Getting Started

We’ve created a Syllabus Template and Acknowledgement you can copy into your Google Drive (MEID login required). You can customize it to fit your course while ensuring key elements are included.

You may also consider using a short Canvas quiz or assignment for acknowledgement to:

• Verify student understanding
• Answer common syllabus questions early
• Identify areas needing clarification

Mesa’s Syllabus

We invite faculty and staff to help improve our college’s syllabus statements. Your input is key to ensuring they reflect our commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity. Whether suggesting new statements, updating current ones, or refining content for clarity, your contributions are essential. Please share your ideas by and let’s work together to enhance our syllabi! For Spring changes please submit by October 15 and for Summer/Fall changes please submit before Spring break.

Need Support?

We’re happy to help you design or revise your syllabus to meet district requirements, college recommendations, and your course goals.

Reach out to the CTL team anytime – we’re here to support you.

MCC’s Syllabus Template

Our syllabus template is not static – it is shaped by the Syllabus Committee that includes faculty voice and institutional perspectives. The committee reviews feedback, considers requests for changes, and updates language to keep the syllabus clear, relevant, and supportive for students while meeting district requirements.

Have a suggestion? We welcome faculty input – please share your ideas through our syllabus proposal and feedback form to help shape future updates.