Distance Education Syllabus Components

ACC Syllabus Guidelines

The ACC Syllabus website provides guidelines to ensure all syllabi meet ACC standards. For assistance in designing a course syllabus, please visit the Teaching Consultations & Support page to set up a consultation.

In accordance with Texas House Bill 2504, each class must have an online syllabus accessible from the Course Schedule. Refer to the Lighthouse tutorial for instructions.

Syllabus Components

A well-designed syllabus cuts down on questions, saving time for both instructors and students. In addition to standard ACC syllabus components, a distance education course syllabus should include the following:

Let students know how to reach you:

- Campus and virtual office hours
- Contact methods (email/phone/Google Hangout/Skype/etc.)
- Response time (ex: emails answered M-F within 24 hrs)
- Weekend availability, if applicable

Define your communication policy:

- What constitutes “attendance”
- Faculty-student/student-student interaction expectations
- How interactions will occur (discussion board, chat, other tools)
- Participation standards (minimum number of discussion board posts per week, Netiquette guidelines)

Explain technology requirements:

- Hardware/software needed
- Blackboard support
- Other technical support

Explain course procedures:

- How the online classroom is organized
- How students should proceed each week for class activities
- How to submit assignments
- File name conventions for documents/email
- Course calendar/schedule
- Turnaround time for grading assignments and tests
- ACC Student Course Evaluation

Describe testing requirements:

- How examinations will be handled, including any specific technical requirements
- Testing Center Guidelines
- Distance Testing information for students