If you teach multiple sections of the same course that is cross-listed, or coordinate a course taught by multiple instructors, Canvas Blueprints can help. A Blueprint provides the ability to sync content across linked course shells/sections, eliminating manual copying, duplicate building, and ensuring consistency where you need it.

What is a Blueprint?

A Blueprint course in Canvas acts as a master course. When you make updates to the Blueprint, such as adding an assignment, revising a module, or updating a rubric, you can sync those changes out to all associated course of record shells/sections with a single click. This means you maintain one authoritative version of course content, and section instructors receive updates to content when you choose to sync the sections.

While their sections will be linked to a Blueprint, the instructors in each section will still need to publish their course and manage section-specific settings like due dates, availability, and grading. They maintain full control over their section. See important notes below in “Locking and Unlocking Content.”

Important Note: Blueprints are not the same as merged course sections. If you need a single, combined experience and Gradebook, you'll want to request a course merge instead.

If you think you may use a Blueprint, please notify your faculty so they don’t begin building in their course of record shells. The shells need to be empty to link them to a Blueprint; otherwise, there is a risk of duplicating content. Once the Blueprint is linked, faculty can begin importing or creating their own content within their own shell.

What’s in a Blueprint?

When your Blueprint is first created, it starts empty. We typically populate it by copying content from an existing course, either a sandbox course you've been building or a previous semester's version of the course.

If you don't have course content yet, you can create a sandbox course to begin building, then ask us to copy that content into your Blueprint once it's ready.

Blueprint courses should include the structural elements of the course, such as modules, assignments, discussions, quizzes, pages, files, and rubrics. However, Blueprints should be intentionally designed without certain details to allow instructors flexibility in their own sections:

• No due dates: Instructors should set due dates in their individual sections.
• Blank instructor-specific pages: Pages like "Meet Your Instructor" remain empty for personalization.
• No publisher/LTI integrations: Textbook connections and publisher tools must be configured by each instructor in their own section, as these don't sync properly through Blueprints.

Blueprints contain no student enrollments, only the course coordinator(s) responsible for managing the content. Section instructors work in their own associated courses, not in the Blueprint itself.

What courses would benefit most from a Blueprint?

Multi-section courses benefit most from Blueprints. For example, a course like COM101 has multiple sections taught by different instructors each semester. Blueprints ensure every section maintains the same core content, learning objectives, assignments, and modules, while still allowing instructors to personalize instructor-specific content, adjust due dates, or modify instructions for their particular section throughout the term.

Other scenarios where Blueprints add value:

• Coordinated courses where a lead instructor designs curriculum that instructors deliver.
• Program-level consistency where you want to ensure all sections of a course meet the same learning outcomes.
• Courses with frequent updates where a coordinator needs to push syllabus changes, new assignments, or policy updates mid-semester to all sections at once.

When you might not need a Blueprint:

• If you're teaching a single section, or if your course sections are substantially different from each other, a standard course copy will likely meet your needs more simply.

How do Blueprints help with course management?

Syncing Content

Content in the Blueprint course can be synced to all associated courses by clicking the blue "Sync" button in the Blueprints panel. Unlike a Google Doc, the Blueprint does not sync automatically.

Before syncing, you can select "Unsynced Changes" to preview what will be pushed to associated courses.

Syncing is an all-or-nothing action. You cannot select specific content to sync or choose only certain courses to receive the update. All associated sections receive the same sync.

When syncing, you'll see several checkboxes to select:

• Include Course Settings: Checking this will overwrite settings that instructors may have customized in their own sections (course home page, Dashboard image, etc.). We recommend leaving this unchecked to preserve instructor customization.
• Send Notification: Check this to add a message to instructors explaining what changed in the sync.
• Enable New Item Notifications: This sends notifications to students in all associated sections. Only check this if you're syncing published assignments or announcements that students should know about immediately. Use this carefully as checking it means you're sending notifications in your colleagues' courses.

Locking and Unlocking Content

Blueprint content can be locked or unlocked, which determines whether instructors can edit it in their own sections:

• Locked content cannot be edited by section instructors. Use this for elements that must remain consistent across all sections—such as program-approved syllabi, standardized rubrics, or department-mandated resources.
• Unlocked content can be edited by section instructors. This allows flexibility for due dates, personalized instructions, or section-specific modifications.

Example scenario: You sync Assignment 1 (unlocked) to all COM101 sections. Professor Chen edits Assignment 1 in her section to adjust the due date and add specific instructions. Later, you update Assignment 1 in the Blueprint to clarify the rubric. Professor Chen's section will not receive this update; her edited version is independent because she made changes. You'll need to contact her directly to share the updated assignment.

Once an instructor edits unlocked content in their section, that item disconnects from future Blueprint syncs. Any changes you make to that item in the Blueprint will no longer update in their course.

Important Note: Decide which content should be locked vs. unlocked before instructors begin working in their courses. Changing lock status mid-semester can create confusion.

How do I request a Blueprint?

To request a Blueprint, please complete this form →

How do I learn more about Blueprints?

To learn more about Blueprints, schedule time to meet with us →

Additional Resources