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Learning Management System Transition at NC State

Find information from DELTA about NC State's transition to Canvas by Instructure as part of the UNC System's learning management system consolidation.

Last Updated: 12/5/2025

What We Know

  • The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution on Thursday, July 24, 2025, to standardize the use of a single, unified LMS across all institutions in the UNC System.
  • The UNC System has selected Canvas by Instructure as the LMS platform.
  • This will be a multi-year transition project. Faculty will be provided with clear timelines and support throughout the process.

Transition Timeline

The timeline below illustrates NC State’s transition from Moodle to Canvas and includes the key milestones that will guide our community of instructors through each phase. It provides a high-level view of when development, access, support and teaching will take place throughout this multi-year effort. Below this timeline, you can find more details about each phase of our work.

  • Pre-Planning (Fall 2025)
    • NC State negotiating scope of work.
    • DELTA Canvas project planning begins.
  • Research & Development (Spring 2026 – Summer 2026)
    • DELTA researching Canvas features and configuration. 
    • Limited set of instructors and staff recruited to participate as evaluators. 
    • No active courses in Canvas. 
  • Early Access (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027)
    • A limited set of instructors granted early access (experienced Canvas users) to create (Summer 26) and teach (Fall 26 or Spring 27) courses. 
    • DELTA developing support and training materials – knowledgebase, user guides, workshops, etc.
    • DELTA adjusting Canvas configuration based on feedback from early access instructors.
    • Any interested instructors and staff have access to create sandbox or course development spaces in Canvas.
  • Full Access (Summer 2027 – Summer 2028)
    • All instructors have access to create courses for academic instruction (can be created starting in March 2027).
    • DELTA is fully supporting instruction within Canvas. 
    • All active courses must be in Canvas starting Summer 2028.
    • Moodle is no longer available for active courses starting Summer 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Why is the UNC System moving to a single LMS?

The UNC System’s 17 institutions currently use three different learning management systems under separate contracts. Moving to one LMS will consolidate technology across campuses and offer several key benefits:

  • Cost efficiencies by reducing the LMS cost-per-student across the UNC System; 
  • Greater familiarity for students, especially incoming first-year and transfer students who have already used Canvas in high school or community college; and
  • Improved collaboration and easier sharing of course materials across institutions.

Has an LMS system been selected?

Yes, the UNC System has selected Canvas by Instructure.

What is the timeline for the transition from Moodle to Canvas?

This will be a multi-year process. Faculty will be provided with clear timelines and support as we collectively navigate this transition as a university. DELTA is in the early stages of creating a transition timeline to be shared on this website and across multiple faculty communication vehicles.

How will this impact me?

Faculty and instructors will eventually need to transition their courses into Canvas. This will not be an overnight transition, and DELTA will provide hands-on training and support throughout the process. DELTA will share more information on timelines and expected impacts as we receive more information.

Where do I go with questions or comments?

Your feedback is important and will help inform planning and communications throughout the process. DELTA has launched an inquiry form to capture any questions or comments from instructors.

Timeline

Can I start using Canvas in spring 2026? I’m developing a new course and would prefer not to have to migrate it later.

Canvas will not be available for instruction in Spring 2026. We need time to ensure that we can provide support for instructors, to set up the system to meet NC State’s needs and to integrate Canvas with campus systems and other academic tools before we can support instruction. We will be preparing a guide on developing Moodle courses in a way that will ease the transition to Canvas, and we plan to share more about that resource in late spring 2026.

Migration

How can I make sure my course transfers to Canvas as seamlessly as possible?

We understand this concern, and we are working with Canvas developers to improve their existing Moodle-to-Canvas migration process. Our shared goals is to have a tool that moves most course materials. DELTA will also work with instructors to identify alternatives for items that cannot be migrated.

Integrations

How will third-party integrations like Turnitin, Panopto, Packback, etc. work in Canvas?

Most systems that integrate with Moodle also integrate with Canvas, though the functionality may differ. As DELTA prepares Canvas for NC State, we will be working through all of the integrations and determine how they function in Canvas.

Accessibility

What do we know about digital accessibility in Canvas?

We will be working closely with OIT to review the Canvas Accessibility Checker, as well as external accessibility tools comparable to Brickfield. Universally designed and fully accessible courses are a priority for NC State, and we will continue to give our community of instructors the tools they need to deliver courses in which all students can learn.

Moodle Projects

Will we have access to something like Moodle Projects in Canvas?

We know that the flexibility of the Projects server meets many needs on campus. While we don’t yet know exactly how Canvas will be implemented at NC State, we plan to ensure that faculty and staff have an environment that meets their needs to support our students and build their courses.

Moodle Outreach

Will Canvas replace Moodle Outreach for Extension training programs?

We will be using Canvas to support Outreach courses. The exact timeline for the transition is not yet determined, but it will be a multiyear process. Please stay tuned for updates on the transition timeline.

Next Steps

Right now, no action is needed on your part. DELTA is committed to supporting the NC State community throughout this transition and beyond. This page will be your hub for the latest updates as new details become available, and the DELTA Connections newsletter will deliver key updates straight to your inbox. For questions or comments, please share them via this form.

Our goal in DELTA is to make this transition as smooth as possible and to ensure you have the tools and support you need to teach with confidence and deliver exceptional educational experiences for all NC State students.

Resources

  • BOG Committee on Budget & Finance Agenda/Materials – Consolidated LMS discussion (see p.18). [View PDF »]
  • BOG Meeting Agenda LMS recommendation included in consent agenda. [View PDF »]
  • BOG Meeting Draft Minutes Consent agenda passed; LMS item approved. [View PDF »]