AP6. Academic Integrity
Introduction
As a part of the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP), the Physical Therapy (PT) program is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior, including academic integrity and intellectual honesty. Faculty students, and staff are all held to these principles to maintain a strong and ethical academic community.
All students at the IHP, including those enrolled in the PT program, must adhere to the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Community members are expected to report violations of this policy as they witness or are made aware of them. If you are aware of any violations, you are expected to submit an Academic and Conduct Report Form.
Academic Integrity Standards
All students in the PT program must uphold the standards of academic integrity as defined in Article II, Section 1 of the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy. Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for the honesty and integrity of their own academic work, including applications for admission, financial aid, in addition to any group or collaborative academic or clinical work attributed to them that is submitted for academic evaluation or credit in an academic course or program of study.
PT students are expected to adhere to the principles delineated in the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), along with acting in a manner consistent with APTA’s Core Values. Please see this manual’s AP-5 Professionalism for further information.
Academic Integrity Procedures
- Informal Resolutions
Faculty and administrators aim to address minor academic integrity issues informally when appropriate. Informal resolutions are designed to provide students with feedback and guidance to improve, rather than imposing punitive measures. Professionalism Feedback is a common mechanism for guidance in the PT program. Students should refer to AP-5 Professionalism of this manual for more information about Professionalism Feedback.
- Reporting Informal Resolutions: Faculty or administrators must report informal resolutions to a student’s academic advisor. Repeated informal violations may result in formal action.
- Documentation: Informal resolutions will not be added to a student’s permanent academic file but will be recorded to track patterns of behavior.
- Formal Resolutions
Formal resolution is pursued when:
- A pattern of violations exists.
- The breach in conduct is severe.
Formal resolutions will follow the Institute’s Academic and Disciplinary Action Policy and procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy.
- Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures
Formal resolutions will be handled by the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP).
- Sanctions
Sanctions for violations that are resolved through the formal resolution process will be in accordance with those outlined in the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy. Additional details about sanctions recommended by CAPP can be found in AP-9 Oral and Written Warnings
- Appeals
Students who wish to appeal decisions made through the Academic Integrity process should refer to the Appeals section of AP-13 Curricular Progression and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences’ Appeals Policy.