Academic Conduct Policy

OTD students are responsible for proper conduct and integrity in all scholastic and clinical work. OTD students are obligated to develop their occupational therapy knowledge and skills to the best of their ability, realizing that the health and welfare of the persons committed their charge could depend on their competence.

1. Examinations
   1. OTD students are expected to demonstrate honor and integrity during examinations.
   2. Examinations are meant to reflect individual achievement. Cheating during examinations is unethical and is defined as doing any of the following without authorization:
      1. Looking at the answers written by another student during an examination.
      2. Communicating with another individual about topics that might help to answer a question during an examination.
      3. Referring to notes or textual matter including digital media during an examination.
      4. Violating any other policy of examinations, including possession of a cell phone during an examination.
   3. During examinations, students have an obligation to maintain a nondisruptive atmosphere.
   4. OTD students are not permitted to communicate specific information regarding an examination to a classmate who has not yet completed that examination.
2. Other Academic Work
   1. In deference to the scientists, medical professionals, and clients who have shared their knowledge and experience for the betterment of students’ and clinicians’ learning, students have a responsibility to not intentionally misrepresent the work of others nor claim it as your own.

Academic Integrity

It is the aim of the faculty of LMU-Knoxville OTD Program to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of any student to present as his/her own work that he/she has not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a very serious offense and renders the offender liable to severe consequences and possible dismissal.

Cheating

Dishonesty of any kind on examinations or written assignments, unauthorized possession of examination questions, the use of unauthorized notes (either written or electronic) during an examination, obtaining information during an examination from another student, assisting others to cheat, altering grade records, or illegally entering an office are instances of cheating. Cell phones, smart phones, and smart watches are not permitted during examinations. A student who is found to have a cell phone or smart device on their person during an examination will receive a zero for that examination and will be subject to dismissal.

Plagiarism

Any students that are found to have plagiarized will be sent to the Policies and Procedures Committee.  Plagiarism includes copying information directly from previously published work (others or your own) without adding quotes and appropriate in-text citations but can also include paraphrasing someone’s ideas without giving them credit (e.g., in-text citation). If it is not your own idea or considered common knowledge, you should be citing the source where it came from, even if you did not copy the words directly. Any words that you are taking directly from a source should be quoted and have an in-text citation. Every quote or idea that you are using from someone else’s work should be cited immediately following the quote or idea, not at the end of the paragraph.

For more information about what is plagiarism and how to prevent it please review LMU’s Copyright and Plagiarism Guidelines by utilizing this link.