Reuse and Edit Your Simple Syllabus from Another Section or Term in Canvas

Introduction 

Every course has its own Simple Syllabus template. However, if you have published a Simple Syllabus for the same course in another section or prior term, you DO NOT need to start from scratch. This guide reviews pulling in a previously published Simple Syllabus to reuse in a new section or term. 

Currently, Simple Syllabus is set up for live shells and Standard Course shells only. The Syllabi for live shells is created by Peoplesoft. The Syllabi for Standard Courses is created by an API that scrapes the LMS for any CourseID with "STND" in it.

We are working to expand Simple Syllabi out to Parent Courses, by scraping the LMS with an API that looks for CourseIDs with "PRNT" in them.

There are currently no plans to expand Simple Syllabus beyond these three types of courses. If we were to set up an API for DEV shells, there would be an unruly and unnecessary number of syllabi.

Important Updates: 

• As of Spring 2026/term 660, you must meet accessibility requirements for your Simple Syllabus before you can publish it.
• If you have published your Simple Syllabus, then your courses are merged, you will need to recreate a new syllabus in the merged course section. If you want to keep a record of any edits you have made in your original course, please watch this video for a demo of how to download a PDF copy. 

Step-by-Step 

1. Click Syllabus on the Navbar in your course.
   
   
   
    
2. Select Edit in the top right corner of the Simple Syllabus screen.
    
3. Locate and click Replace with a different Syllabus (found at the top of your syllabus)
   
   
    
4. Select which term you are bringing in a Syllabus from (Either this term or a past term.) Then select the correct section.
   
   Remember this is pulling in an already published Syllabus of yours to be used and edited for a new section you will be teaching.
   
   
   
   If you are a faculty member wanting to copy a Simple Syllabus for your course created by yourself in an old course, a Dean, Associate Dean or Course Coordinator, you can use the import tool to copy syllabi wholesale or copy individual components. 
    
5. Once you click on the section, your other Syllabus will be pulled in and you will be able to edit with the course information.
    

6. Make all necessary edits in Simple Syllabus for your upcoming course. 

   ❗Important Note: The First Day component will not copy over via the import process. As a result, once you have imported a syllabus, you will need to ensure your selection for the First Day component is correct.
    

7. Once you have finished making your edits for the revised Syllabus, Click Publish.
   
   
   
    
8. Congrats your Simple Syllabus has been published for this course!
   
   
    

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team

atst@spcollege.edu 

 Phone at 727-341-3500

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).

After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team