Faculty Guidance on New Syllabus Requirements
New state requirements for posting syllabi take effect in 2026. Thanks to UCF policies on Simple Syllabus, most faculty do not need to do anything different.
Beginning in Spring 2026, Florida’s revised syllabus requirements will take effect, requiring all course syllabi to be publicly posted. By Summer 2026, syllabi will need to be posted earlier before the start of each term. Faculty may make reasonable updates throughout the semester, provided these changes do not fundamentally alter the course without notice.
UCF will update its internal syllabus policy this spring and will continue to keep you updated.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I still make changes to my syllabus during the semester?
Yes. You can update readings, schedules, or course content as needed. The key is avoiding major, unannounced shifts that fundamentally change the course.
2. When do the new expectations start?
UCF Policy 4-403 currently requires all sections to have a syllabus posted in Webcourses by the first day of class. This will make us compliant with both this new requirement of a public syllabus, and the attestation to reviewing reading materials as also required by BOG regulation. The early-posting requirement begins for the Summer 2026 term.
3. What is the timeline for creating syllabi in the Spring for summer 2026?
The summer semester begins May 13, which means that Canvas shells will open 60 days before that on March 14. Moving forward, these shells will open 60 days before each semester. Faculty needs to build syllabi using the Simple Syllabus and will need to have those completed by March 27.
4. What needs to be included in my syllabus?
UCF’s current syllabus policy (4-403) meets the requirements established by the state. There are additional requirements from federal rules, especially around the posting of certain policies. We will begin updating our syllabus policy this spring as we better understand the BOG regulation. We will also update the syllabus templates, and guidance will clarify exactly what belongs and what doesn’t.
5. Can a course have more than one syllabus — such as “shadow syllabi?”
Each course should have one accurate syllabus posted in Webcourses using Simple Syllabus under UCF Policy 4-403. Multiple or conflicting versions create compliance issues.
6. If I don’t teach in the summer, when should I prepare my fall syllabus?
If you’re off contract in summer but teaching in fall, you’ll need to prepare or update your fall syllabus during the spring to meet the 45-day posting requirement. We will be working closely with the Division of Digital Learning to provide you with proper guidance in the coming weeks, since Webcourses sections in Canvas do not open until 60 days before the semester.