Course Layout Templates

Instead of building your Canvas site from scratch, you may choose to import one of these templates, which you can then edit, adding your own content.

Course layout templates often work best for instructors who are already comfortable organizing and editing Canvas content, as they will need to be edited, sometimes extensively. If you're a Canvas beginner interested in using a course layout template, request a consultation for support.

NOTE: Importing one of these templates will overwrite content or settings in your Canvas site. Enrollments will remain, but other content you may have already added could be lost. It's recommended that you import these templates into an empty site. If you want to reset your Canvas site to be sure it is empty before importing a template, see directions in this Canvas guide.

Review the templates available below, and then follow these instructions to import them into your Canvas site:

How do I import a Canvas course export package?

Template 1: One Page Per Week

This template was designed for the Master of Science in Law online program, and features a streamlined structure where the home page links out one individual page for each week.

View the template in a sandbox Canvas site.
Download the IMSCC file to import into your own site.

Template 2: One Module Per Week with Sections and Subpages

This template was designed for an online program in Medill, and features a robust structure with a module for each week. Each module contains sections for Content and Assignments where instructors can add pages, links, assignments, and more.

View the template in a sandbox Canvas site.
Download the IMSCC file to import into your own site.

Template 3: One Module Per Week with Subpages, and Resource Modules

This template was designed for online courses in the School of Professional studies, and features weekly modules with subpages and placeholder weekly discussions. It also offers an example of a Resources module which students can use throughout the term.

View the template in a sandbox Canvas site.
Download the IMSCC file to import into your own site.

Template 4: Visually Engaging Page Templates with Weekly Modules

This template was designed for the Foundations of Online Teaching Practicum, and features a visually engaging home page with "buttons" created by using images in table. There are weekly modules, resources modules, as well as example pages for a calendar, a glossary, and other pages with graphical elements.

View the template in a sandbox Canvas site.
Download the IMSCC file to import into your own site.