What is Academic Integrity?
We, as a community, strive to ensure that academic work produced at UMass is honest, trustworthy, and fair: a standard known as academic integrity. Maintaining academic integrity is everyone’s job—we rely on the commitment of all our students, faculty, and staff to understand and live these values as community members.
Two campus policies help us ensure that our learning environment is honest and fair: Academic Integrity and Academic Grievances. These University policies on academic integrity apply across all courses (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) To learn more about these policies and procedures, please visit their pages.
On this page, you can explore best practices and resources that will help you understand and embody integrity as a UMass community member.
Best Practices and Resources for Students
Understand what’s expected of you
- A great place to start is reading the syllabi for each of your courses—a syllabus is a guide for the course, and typically includes expectations and guidelines for completing academic work.
- When completing assignments or taking exams, pause and check that you understand what’s being asked of you. Can you collaborate with others? Use course materials? Use materials from outside of the course? If you are unsure, who can you ask?
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity Policy, especially the definitions of academic dishonesty.
- Generative AI tools are powerful and widely available—but the UMass Amherst Academic Integrity policy prohibits use of AI to complete any academic work without explicit permission from your instructors. Some instructors may allow or encourage use of generative AI to assist in completing academic work, but it’s up to you to ensure you have permission before using AI to complete academic work.
Maintain ownership of your work
- Academic exercises are a chance for you to demonstrate what you know and what you have learned to your instructors. Remember to value your learning, intelligence, and contributions to our community. Make sure your choices are in line with those values by doing your own work and acknowledging the value of others by citing their work.
- Don’t let the fear of making a mistake or asking for help prevent you from completing your academic work with integrity. Receiving feedback and help from your instructors is an important part of the learning process. Pay attention to the feedback you receive on assignments and seek out additional support by asking questions and attending office hours.
- Completing honest work is about more than the final product—taking good notes and reviewing your work often helps you engage more deeply with your course content and will set you up for success. Want to learn more? Check out the resources available at the Learning Resource Center, where you can build academic skills.
- When quoting, paraphrasing, or building on the work of others, always cite your sources. Explore resources on information literacy and citing sources from the UMass Library.
Take care of yourself and manage your time well
- We know it’s harder to maintain academic integrity when you’re stressed out or up against a deadline. Planning ahead helps you complete your best work honestly. Explore our resources on how to build a roadmap for success.
- A crucial part of maintaining academic integrity is taking care of yourself. Explore Student Affairs to discover more about the 8 dimensions of wellbeing and how many campus resources can help you find balance.
- Don’t forget to take breaks! We know daily choices like getting enough sleep, eating regular balanced meals, and spending time outside or exercising helps student succeed. Explore the programs and resources available through Recreation and Wellness to find ways to build wellness activities into your daily schedule.
Take advantage of campus resources for academic support and skill building
- Discover your strengths and learn new strategies, tools, and resources by signing up for a Success Toolkit Series workshop.
- Get help from a peer through Course-Based Tutoring, Study Skills tutoring, or Supplement Instruction (SI) through the Learning Resource Center.
- Book an appointment with the Writing Center for support at any stage of the writing process.
- Reach out to your department’s librarian who can connect you to subject specific expertise and resources available through the Libraries.
- Need help with Math or Statistics? Check out the Department of Math and Statistics tutoring centers.
- Not sure where to start? Connect with your school/college's advising center!
Know when to ask for help
- As you set goals and map your path during your time at UMass, know that successful students ask for help along the way. When you’re unsure of what to do or need assistance to meet your goals, make sure to ask for help.
- Are you unsure of what’s expected of you in a course or on an assignment? Do you need support or guidance to master course content? Check in with your instructor or TA. You can reach out to ask for support or stop by their office hours.
- Schedule a meeting with your Academic Advisor to explore your options, learn more about campus resources, and set goals for your academic journey.
- Do you experience test anxiety? The good news is that it’s treatable. Check out our tips and resources for overcoming test anxiety.
Academic Integrity Resources for Instructors
- The Center for Teaching and Learning offers programs and resources focused on course design, classroom instruction, curriculum development, and other forms of instructional support for instructors
- Check out their How Do I…? resources for practical, concrete strategies on topics such as classroom expectations, designing assignments, and classroom climate.
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Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) provides support and resources with online teaching and learning technologies.
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Refer students who may be struggling through our Academic Alert Initiative.