The APUS Student Code of Conduct

The APUS Student Code of Conduct sets expectations for scholarly work and student behavior both inside and outside of the classroom. The policies address the university’s expectations in terms of academic integrity and professional conduct and outlines the procedures the University will follow when a violation of the Code is reported.

What is academic integrity?

Academic integrity refers to upholding and maintaining honesty and responsibility in scholarship inside and outside of the classroom. In this manner, academic integrity encompasses all scholarly activity carried out as part of academic work. Scholarly activities include, but are not limited to, engagement within the classroom, assignments, tests, quizzes, presentations, field-based assignments or work, and various forms of research.

What is academic misconduct?

Failure to uphold academic integrity constitutes “academic misconduct.” Academic misconduct encompasses behaviors that create an unfair academic advantage for oneself or disadvantage for others and include, but are not limited to, plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), cheating, falsification/fabrication, theft and/or damage to university intellectual property, facilitation of academic dishonesty, disturbances of learning environments (e.g., classrooms, library, webinars, etc.), and failing to abide by ethical research standards and University IRB requirements.

What is professional conduct?

Professional conduct refers to the acceptable behavior an individual is expected to exhibit while a student at the university. To uphold professional conduct means to act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others. Like professional organizations and bodies in many disciplines, the American Public University System expects APUS community members to behave with ethical and moral integrity, exemplary conduct, and respect towards one another. These expectations encompass both virtual settings and in-person contact.

What is professional misconduct?

Professional misconduct encompasses behaviors that are disruptive, illegal, dishonest, or abusive. If a student is found responsible for engaging in professional misconduct, they can expect to participate in activities aimed at remediating the behavior.

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