Overview
University of Detroit Mercy recognizes the importance of syllabi as documents that reflect its faculty's creative and intellectual endeavors. Faculty have the right to determine the substance of their syllabi within their college/school/program guidelines. The checklists below describe the minimum guidelines for a course syllabus. Individual colleges/schools/programs may require additional information.
A course syllabus should clearly indicate what is expected of students in the course and how they are to be evaluated. Students must receive the course syllabus no later than the first synchronous class session or, for asynchronous courses, the first day of the term. The syllabus should be made available in a digital format with relevant hyperlinks.
Student-Centered Syllabus Structure
This syllabus structure is designed to improve clarity, usability, and student engagement while maintaining full alignment with University syllabus guidelines. It prioritizes immediately actionable course information and organizes content in a way that reflects how students typically navigate and use a syllabus.
By placing course-specific expectations and policies first and consolidating institutional requirements into a standardized appendix, this model:
- Reduces cognitive load during initial review
- Improves student ability to locate critical information quickly
- Maintains compliance with all required syllabus elements
- Supports consistency across courses through uniform policy language
To ensure both usability and compliance, all required University and program statements should be included and clearly referenced throughout the document. Course and program sections should guide students to the University Policy Appendix for comprehensive policy details. Headings, formatting, and the overall document structure should prioritize readability and navigation, especially in Learning Management System (LMS) environments. Where applicable, include hyperlinks to online documents. Additionally, avoid duplicating statements in earlier sections and instead, cross-reference with other supporting later sections or appendices.
McNichols Campus Syllabus Guidelines & Required Statements
Basic Course Information (Required)
- Official course title
- Course and section number
- Catalog description of the course, verbatim from the current catalog: https://www.udmercy.edu/academics/catalog/
- Any additional instructor-generated description of the course
- Number of credit hours
- Days and times of synchronous class sessions (face-to-face or online)
- Course prerequisites/corequisites, if relevant
Instructor Information (Required)
- Instructor's name and title
- Office hours, office location and/or instructions for online office hours
- Telephone number
- Detroit Mercy email address
- Names of teaching assistants and/or other instructors, if applicable
More Detailed Course Information
- Student Learning Outcomes or Goals (broader, programmatic statements) and Objectives (more specific, course-based statements) that indicate what a student should be able to achieve upon completion of the course and in alignment with required assessments.
- Required texts and materials, including any technology resources required beyond those recommended by ITS, if applicable.
- Additional required activities outside of regularly scheduled meeting times such as recitations, observations, service-learning activities, and small-group assignments, etc.
- Basic description of grading and, if applicable, the weights assigned to each course component.
- A proposed course timeline or schedule accompanied by a statement indicating that the schedule and other syllabus content are "subject to change."
Course Policies
Instructors should develop and include their own course policies regarding the following course components:
- Assignment deadlines and submission policies
- Academic integrity expectation, including AI use guidelines
- Attendance and absences
- Instructional Continuity and Class Cancellation Protocol (see resource below)
- Class participation and decorum
- Formation of and participation in team/group projects (if applicable)
- Statement regarding class session recordings (see resource below)
Student Absence Policy: Faculty should describe any specific course policies related to absences and reference University Policies and Resources section for supporting documentation.
Instructional Continuity and Class Cancellation Protocol: Faculty should describe their plans in the Course Policy section and reference University Policies and Resources section for supporting documentation.
Recording of Class Sessions: Faculty should state their intentions to record class sessions and reference University Policies and Resources section for supporting documentation.
Program Policies:
Statement of, or link to, relevant program/college/school policies and procedures (e.g., mission statements, student handbooks, academic integrity standards and/or policies)
Online Licensure Statement (Required only for programs leading to professional licensure)
In compliance with federal law and NC-SARA policy, a statement indicating one of the following must be included in the syllabus of any online program that will require licensure in the home state of the student. Online programs leading to professional licensure should encourage students to verify they are in approved states and territories: https://online.udmercy.edu/nc-sara-disclosures/
University Policies and Resources (Required)
Academic Integrity: As members of an academic community engaged in the pursuit of truth and with a special concern for values, University of Detroit Mercy students must conform to the highest standard of honesty and integrity in their academic work. The fundamental assumption under which the University operates is that work submitted by students is the product of their own efforts. Among the most serious academic offenses is plagiarism, which involves submitting ideas or work from another source without appropriate acknowledgment or documentation. The consequences of plagiarism or any act of academic dishonesty may range from failure in a course to dismissal from the University.
Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools: In the Mercy and Jesuit tradition in the pursuit of learning must reflect a commitment to intellectual development, human dignity, integrity, and cura personalis. All generative AI use must meet course and assignment expectations, be acknowledged when required, and never misrepresent student work or undermine fairness in the learning community. Refer to the course policies and consult the instructor for further information on the use of generative AI. Generative AI may support learning when used transparently but must never replace the student?s intellectual engagement, moral discernment, or authentic voice. Students have a duty to use generative AI in ways that promote honest inquiry and academic integrity, recognizing that learning is a formative process aimed at both knowledge and ethical growth.
Accessibility of Course Content Policy
University of Detroit Mercy ensures equal opportunity for all students, including those with disabilities, to participate in university programs and services. Course materials, including syllabi, must be accessible and follow applicable federal guidelines regarding screen-reader compatibility, descriptive hyperlinks, alternative text for images, and captions for video and audio content.
Policy Details: Accessibility of Course Content Policy
Communication: It is the student?s responsibility to stay informed through regular access to Blackboard and their Detroit Mercy email. Downloading the Blackboard mobile app will also allow students to view content and participate in some course activities on an iOS or Android mobile device.
Community Health: As members of the Detroit Mercy campus community, the safety, health, and well-being are important, and the University seeks to support you in any way that we can. University community members should regularly monitor their health, seek proper medical attention if needed, and not attend class while ill. Contact your instructor as soon as possible about missed course content. Students may contact the Wellness Center at 313-993-1185 or wellnesscenter@udmercy.edu for support or guidance.
Compliance with Student Policies: University of Detroit Mercy students are expected to be familiar with and comply with student-related policies and practices, including those found in the Detroit Mercy Student Handbook. The Student Handbook also contains contact information for the Dean of Students and the dean of each College/School.
Course Copyright Policy: All course materials that students receive, or access online are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor?s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and/or liable under federal and state laws. In addition, distributing completed essays, labs, homework, exams, quizzes, or other assignments constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct policy.
Disability Support Services: The University of Detroit Mercy is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Office of Disability Support Services collaborates with students who have disabilities to arrange reasonable accommodations. If you encounter any barriers to full participation in this course due to the impact of your disability, please contact DSS at the email and number below. The office will confidentially discuss the barriers you are experiencing and explain the eligibility process for establishing academic accommodations.
If you require an academic accommodation because of a documented disability, emergency medical condition, or temporary disability, or if you require other special arrangements, you should request accommodations before or at the beginning of each semester.
Instructional Continuity and Class Cancellation: Instructional continuity refers to the continuation of instruction during an unforeseen campus closure or instructor absence. If a class session must be canceled, students will be contacted through Blackboard and/or their Detroit Mercy email address. Students are responsible for all course material provided through this instructional continuity plan. The procedures to ensure continuity of instruction are described in the Course Policies section of the syllabus.
Policy Details: Instructional Continuity and Class Cancellation Protocol
Learning Environment: Universities provide a safe haven for multiple perspectives that may include disagreement and dissent. However, all of our conversations should be pursued in the spirit of mutual respect and civility. Together we will create an environment where every voice and perspective is heard and respected. The use of harmful or exclusionary language, including language that is racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic, erodes what we are trying to accomplish and is not acceptable in the University classroom.
Recording of Class Sessions Policy: Video/audio recordings of synchronous class sessions (face-to-face or online) are permissible without gaining prior consent from students. However, recordings may only be shared via platforms with access limited to other members of the class. (e.g., the course Blackboard site).
Policy Details: Recording of Class Sessions Policy
Religious Observances: It is the policy of the University of Detroit Mercy to respect the faith and religious obligations of each student. Students with exams and classes that conflict with their religious observances should notify their instructor at the beginning of the semester in order to arrange a mutually agreeable alternative. Please note that, regardless of whether an absence is ?excused? or ?unexcused,? the student is responsible for all missed course content and activities.
Reporting Bias-Motivated Incidents: University of Detroit Mercy is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are prohibited under the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and should be reported by contacting the Dean of Students.
Student Records: The University uses Blackboard and/or other academic technologies for assignments, activities, and/or discussion. All files, records, and academic work completed within this course are considered educational records and are protected under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and information policies of University of Detroit Mercy.
Student Support Resources: University of Detroit Mercy provides a wide array of support services at no cost to students. We encourage all members of the community to be aware of this list of student support resources, including contact information for reporting incidents or concerns. Students can also refer to the Current Students webpage.
Technology Recommendations: University of Detroit Mercy Information Technology Services (ITS) posts current recommendations for student technology needs that include hardware, software, and internet connectivity is posted on its website.
Title IX: Sexual violence and sexual harassment are contrary to our core values and have no place at the University of Detroit Mercy. In accordance with Title IX and related laws, Detroit Mercy prohibits sex- and gender-based discrimination including discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. If you experience sexual violence or sexual harassment that limits your ability to participate in this course or any other Detroit Mercy program or activity, there are resources and options available. Please be aware that Instructors are not confidential resources, and that your instructor will need to disclose alleged incidents of sex or gender-based discrimination to the University?s Office of Title IX. You may also contact Megan Novell, the Title IX Coordinator, directly at 313-993-1802 or novellme@udmercy.edu to learn about supportive measures and options that are available to students alleging or alleged to have engaged in sex- or gender-based discrimination.
University-Authorized Absences: The University recognizes that attending class is essential for student learning and engagement. In cases of university-authorized absences for university-sponsored activities, religious observances, or exigent circumstances, instructors shall provide students with the opportunity to make up missed work without penalty up to 10% of the course meeting time. Instructors shall determine how students may access, substitute, and/or submit missed work. Students are responsible for all course content and activities missed due to university-authorized absences.
This policy does not apply to academic work incorporating experiential learning, such as clinical experiences, cooperative education placements, and internships that require completion of a predetermined number of hours or assigned activities and does not supersede program and/or accreditation requirements.
Policy Details: Student Absence Policy