Academic misconduct is defined as any act that violates the principles of academic honesty and integrity, as detailed in UWS 14.03.

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

• • Plagiarism: Using someone else’s work, ideas, or words without proper attribution.
  • Cheating: Engaging in dishonest practices during exams or assignments, such as using unauthorized materials or copying from others.
  • Fabrication or Falsification: Inventing or altering data, results, or sources to mislead or manipulate academic outcomes.
  • Collusion: Collaborating with others in an unauthorized manner to gain an advantage.
  • Unauthorized Assistance: Providing answer keys or other completed assignments, completing work on behalf of another student, or offering unapproved help on assignments, exams, or quizzes.
  • Impersonation: Having someone else complete an exam or assignment on your behalf.
  • Misuse of AI Tools: Using AI tools or software in a manner not aligned with class policies, such as generating content for assignments without proper disclosure or authorization.
  • Self-plagiarizing: Submitting one’s own previously completed work for a different course or assignment when original work is expected, without proper permission.

Program-Specific Sanctions

Students who commit academic misconduct will be considered not in good standing in their respective program and will face university sanctions (see Chapter 43). University-level sanctions are determined by the professor and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Sanctions for Group A and Group B Offenses

Students found responsible for academic misconduct resulting in  Group A or Group B university sanctions will be ineligible for the following program privileges for the remainder of the semester in which the misconduct occurred and the following semester, depending on the severity:

• M.S. Merit Award
• Program leadership roles
• Student Ambassadors Program

Sanctions for Group C Offenses

Students found to have committed academic misconduct resulting in Group C university sanctions will lose eligibility for all program privileges, including scholarships, awards, leadership roles, and ambassador opportunities, for up to a full year (2 semesters).

Process for Evaluating Misconduct Allegations

It is important to note that the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s academic misconduct process operates independently of the processes established for the Applied Drug Development and Psychoactive Pharmaceutical Investigation programs. For more information regarding the appeal process for university sanctions, please see the academic misconduct process outlined from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

When the university has found misconduct has occurred and has determined the resulting sanctions, the program will initiate the following process:

1. Initial Meeting with Student: The Academic Advisor meets with the student to:
   • Review the university’s findings and sanctions.
   • Explain the program’s internal review process and possible sanctions.
2. Program Sanction Notification: Students will receive a letter from the Program Director outlining program sanctions and duration.
3. Student Appeal: Students have 7 days from the date of the Program Director’s letter to submit a written appeal to the Academic Director of Professional Graduate Programs. The appeal should clearly state the grounds for the appeal.
4. Conduct Appeal Meeting: A meeting will be held with the Graduate Program Director and the Academic Director of Professional Graduate Programs to discuss the appeal. The student may bring their advisor to the meeting for support, but the advisor is not permitted to speak unless specifically asked a question by the Directors. The meeting will cover:
   • Review of the university findings and sanctions.
   • Explanation of the committee’s review process for program sanctions.
   • Review of the student’s appeal letter.
5. Committee Review (Final Decision): The student will receive the final committee decision (from the Directors) in writing within 48 hours.

Escalating Consequences for Multiple Offenses

The program operates on a progressive discipline framework for offenses:

1. First Offense: Student status changed to “not in good standing,” as described above.
2. Second Offense: Temporary removal from all program courses.
3. Third Offense: Dismissal from program.

Any violation will be counted as an individual instance, regardless if occurring in the same or different courses or in the same or different semesters.

Egregious Academic Misconduct

Some instances of academic misconduct may be determined to be “egregious” by program leadership if the behavior demonstrates significant disregard to ethical standards upheld by the program or the university. Egregious academic misconduct may result in immediate removal from all courses, program dismissal, or other sanctions, as determined by the program, regardless of prior offenses.

Final Appeal

Students facing enrollment restrictions, suspension, or expulsion may appeal the decision to the The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.