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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences School of Social Work
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Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism

MSW Student Handbook

“Academic Dishonesty” refers to cheating or dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects. It also includes forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters. 

Definitions

“Academic dishonesty” in the SSW refers to any of the following:

  • “Plagiarism” - The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment, including but not limited to, the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another individual.

  • “Cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects”
    includes, but is not limited to:
    • Giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, examinations, or any other assignment for a grade. Depending upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor or supervisor in quizzes, tests, examinations, writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.
    • The acquisition or use, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff.
    • Engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
    • Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete assignments unless specifically allowed for per the instructor’s permission.

  • “Forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters”
    includes, but is not limited to:
    • Wrongfully altering, or causing to be altered, any records
    • Use of University documents or instruments of identification with the intent to defraud.
    • Presenting false data or information or intentionally misrepresenting records
    • Furnishing the results of research projects or experiments for the inclusion in another’s work without proper citation furnishing false statements in any University academic proceeding.
    • Providing false or misleading information to gain an academic advantage.

Penalties

MSW students who engage in academic dishonesty will be subject to one or more of the following academic penalties:

  • Course-level academic penalties:
    When academic dishonesty occurs within the context of an MSW course (including independent study courses), examples of the penalties the instructor may impose include (but are not limited to):
    • Change in assignment or test grade.
    • A lower final grade, including failure of a course.
    • A final grade of unforgivable failure (UF). The UF penalty can be recommended by the course instructor but must be reported to the appropriate office by the dean of the college or school offering the course after the time limit for a student appeal has expired or the appeal process has been completed, upholding the UF penalty. The student may repeat the course.
    • Required repetition or revision of the assignment or test.
    • Exclusion from further participation in class

  • Other academic penalties:
    Depending on the severity and context, other penalties for academic dishonesty in the MSW program can include:
    • Academic Review
    • Probation, suspension, or dismissal from field placement
    • Academic probation or suspension from the MSW program
    • Dismissal from the MSW program