How do I enable a course as a course template?

As an admin, you can enable a course as a course template. After the template is enabled, you can select the course template in the Accounts Settings on any account or sub-account.

New courses created from the template are not associated with the template, and any changes to the new course must be made directly in the new course. To compare course templates to blueprint courses and Canvas Commons, view the Course Content Distribution Comparison resource document.

Courses created from a course template are assigned to the default term, unless a term is selected when the course is created. Course participation is always limited to term start and end dates and must be adjusted manually.

In order to manage course templates, an admin must have the Manage Course Templates permission enabled. This is a granular permission that is divided into individual permissions for creating, deleting, and editing templates. For more information, view the Account Permissions resource document.

Notes:

  • You cannot enable a course as a course template if the course has any enrollments, including the Test Student.
  • Template courses cannot be deleted. However, users who have permission to delete a course template can deselect the Course Template checkbox and remove it as a course template.
  • Creating a course using a template functions in essentially the same way as copying a course. Course copies may not include all content. For more details, please see the import content section in the Canvas Basics Guide.
  • Creating a course using a course template does not impact file quotas.

Open Course

Open Course

In the Account Navigation Menu, click the Courses link [1] and click the course you want to use as a template [2]. You can use the course filters [3] or search field [4] to find the desired course.

To create a new course, click the Add Course button [5].

Open Settings

Open Settings

In the Course Navigation Menu, click the Settings link.

Enable Course as Template

Enable Course as Template

In the Course Details tab [1], click the Enable course as a Course Template checkbox [2].

Note: If you are unable to manage the Course Template setting, the course may have enrollments (including the Test Student) or you may not have permission to manage course templates.

Save Settings

Save Settings

Click the Update Course Details button.

View Associated Accounts

View Associated Accounts

Once a course template is associated with an account, you can view the number of accounts associated in the Associated with [number] account link. To view the names of the accounts, click the link.