Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core value at the University of New Hampshire. The members of its academic community both require and expect one another to conduct themselves with integrity. This means that each member will adhere to the principles and rules of the University and pursue academic work in a straightforward and truthful manner, free from deception or fraud. The Academic Integrity policy can be found in the annual publication of the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities.

Graduate School Additional Information

Guidance on Permissibility of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Graduate Exams and Theses

Given the widely varying uses of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) across disciplines, the Graduate School does not have a universal policy regarding the permissibility of using generative AI in graduate exams and theses (including preliminary exams, qualifying exams, Master’s theses, Ph.D. dissertations, and other graduate capstones). It does, however, offer the following guidance.

• Programs should explicitly communicate to students their expectations for whether and how generative AI may be used in graduate exams, theses, and dissertations. These expectations, conveyed in writing when students first matriculate and again before their exams and theses/dissertations, should consider disciplinary norms, ethical use, and best practices for citing AI contributions. Some programs may prohibit the use of generative AI for these purposes, whereas others may allow it within prescribed and clearly communicated boundaries. In either event, programs should develop a regular and consistent way of establishing and communicating their expectations and standards, including updating relevant handbooks, orientation materials, and mentor guidelines.
• Students using generative AI tools must disclose such use, including an explanation of what tool(s) were used, how, and when. All such uses must be communicated to, and authorized by, the advisor and relevant academic committee (e.g., guidance, thesis, or dissertation committee). Graduate exams, presentations, theses, and dissertations must represent the student’s own scholarly work. AI tools may be used for approved and clearly acknowledged purposes upon receiving the necessary approval from the committee, but the intellectual contributions must be the student’s own. Any use of AI tools must be properly cited according to disciplinary norms.
• Unapproved use of generative AI in exams, theses, or dissertations constitutes academic misconduct and is grounds for failure of the relevant exam or thesis based on the judgement of the evaluating committee. The reporting and appeals process for all academic misconduct should follow the Academic Integrity policy in the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities.