Term dates should be set before adding any courses to your account. Terms are associated with and used to filter data in account grading periods, account analytics, and account reports.
Canvas always includes a default term, which cannot be removed or renamed. However, you can add new terms with specific start and end dates.
Within each term, you can also set access dates for specific user roles. Retaining the default term settings seem to be preferred by the majority of Canvas institutions, as they allow Teachers, TAs, and Designers to ensure course content will be ready by the course start date. Default settings include the following access for each user role:
Notes:
In Global Navigation, click the Admin link [1], then click the name of the account [2].
In Account Navigation, click the Terms link.
In the Term Name field [1], enter a name for the term. This name will be displayed as part of any course added to the term.
If your institution is using SIS IDs, you can enter an SIS ID for the term in the SIS ID field [2]. In SIS CSV files, the SIS ID is called the course ID.
In the Term Runs from line, use the calendar icons to set a term start date [1] and term end date [2].
By default, the student dates to view courses inherit the Term Runs from [start date] to [end date], and Teachers, TAs, and Designers dates inherit a whenever start date to [term end date].
Notes:
Each term allows you to set specific access dates for each user role.
If you want each user role to inherit the default term access, you do not need to enter any dates. Once you save the term and add it to your account, the user roles will display the following defaults:
If you want to set start and end dates for a specific user role, locate the role and set dates for that role.
For example, if you want teachers to only be able to access unpublished courses two months before the term start date, and TAs only one week before the term start date, you can set a new start date for each of their respective roles. Date changes to a base role affect all users with the role, including custom roles.
Notes:
Click the Add Term button.
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