Best Practices in Syllabus Design

Abstract

The syllabus is the cornerstone for directing faculty and student interaction within the didactic and experiential settings. Within each syllabus is both essential and optional information to guide students, faculty, and administration in course expectations, as well as how the course aligns within current curricular requirements to maintain program accreditation. Most syllabi contain a plethora of information that continues to grow each year, warranting concerns of syllabus bloat combined with dwindling student attention to syllabus detail. This paper summarizes best practices related to designing effective course syllabi and recommendations to promote clear and concise communication between students, faculty, and administrators involved in pharmacy education.