Academic Integrity

Penn State World Campus is committed to maintaining Penn State's policy on academic integrity in all courses it offers. Everyone at Penn State World Campus, the academic unit that is the home of each course, the course instructor, and exam proctors take academic integrity matters seriously.

Academic integrity — scholarship free of fraud and deception — is an important educational objective of Penn State. Academic dishonesty can lead to a failing grade or referral to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following examples:

  • Copying
  • Submitting another person’s work as your own or submitting another person’s work without proper citation
  • Unauthorized test possession, purchase, or supplying
  • Ghosting
  • Altering exams or assignments
  • Improper use of technology
  • Facilitating academic dishonesty by others
  • Submitting work previously used without permission
  • Unauthorized collaboration
  • Unauthorized use of study aids

You can read more about these examples of violations and how faculty approach academic integrity.

To learn more about specific scenarios and test your understanding, visit Penn State's Academic Integrity training. You may complete the training to earn a certificate.

How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled

In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response. 

All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. 

Additionally, Penn State World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, and a civil community.

Who to Contact with Questions about Academic Integrity

All colleges at Penn State abide by Penn State's policy on maintaining academic integrity, but each follows its own review procedures when academic dishonesty is suspected. When a student receives notification of an alleged academic integrity violation, the student will receive a form with the details outlined.  At the bottom of the form is information for the college the student should contact regarding their academic integrity process.

If a student needs additional assistance understanding the academic integrity process, the student can contact the Assistant Director for World Campus Student Affairs and the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.

For More Information on Academic Integrity and the Code of Conduct

Visit one of the following pages: