Academic Integrity Policy

How It Works

MUST University is committed to maintaining an academic environment guided by the highest ethical standards, and expects every student to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all academic work, including exams, assignments, and other submissions. Academic dishonesty is considered a serious violation, regardless of intent, and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the university. Acknowledgment of this policy is part of the Acceptance Agreement that the student completes at the start of each course.

Forms of academic dishonesty include, among others: using or providing unauthorized information during an exam or assignment; using unauthorized notes, materials, devices, or technology during an assessment; using another student's work on exams or assignments that do not allow collaboration; colluding with another person to obtain unauthorized assistance; obtaining an exam before it is administered; researching or consulting online material during an exam without authorization; allowing someone else to complete an assignment on your behalf or presenting someone else's work as your own; seeking any improper academic advantage over other students; and using Artificial Intelligence without authorization or without disclosing its use.

Plagiarism is defined as the intentional or unintentional use of another person's words, ideas, expressions, or other creations without proper attribution, presenting them as one's own. This also includes unauthorized copying of software and copyright infringement. MUST University requires every student to properly cite their sources and submit original work in each course.

Cheating is defined as attempting to provide or receive unauthorized assistance or information to fulfill academic requirements, including the unauthorized use of Artificial Intelligence software. A student who allows another student to copy their work is also considered complicit in this practice. Fabrication or falsification, in turn, involves the unauthorized creation or alteration of information in academic documents or assignments, such as inventing experimental data or a nonexistent research source.

To support academic integrity, work submitted through the Learning Management System (LMS) may be checked for originality before being graded by the professor, and MUST University may also request identity verification from the student during exams and assessments, through a student ID number, official identification, or another authorized method.

Deadlines and Rules

• Consequences for plagiarism: on the first occurrence, the student receives an "F" on the assignment or exam; on the second occurrence, the student may receive an "F" for the entire course; on the third occurrence, the student may be dismissed from the university. Depending on the severity of the case, one or more steps in this progression may be skipped.
• The use of Artificial Intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, or Copilot) is only permitted with the course professor's prior authorization. When authorized, the student must clearly disclose which tool was used, for what purpose, and to what extent it contributed to the work.
• The absence of an explicit notice from the professor about what constitutes cheating or plagiarism does not exempt the student from the responsibility of knowing and following this policy.
• The student must inform the professor if they become aware of instances of cheating or plagiarism committed by another student.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered academic dishonesty?

Cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification of information, as well as actions such as using unauthorized materials on exams, obtaining an exam in advance, or using Artificial Intelligence without authorization or without disclosing its use.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence tools in my assignments?

Only with the course professor's prior authorization. When authorized, you must disclose the tool used, its purpose, and how much it contributed to the work. Using AI without authorization or without disclosing it is considered academic dishonesty.

What happens if I am found to have committed plagiarism?

On the first occurrence, you receive an "F" on the assignment or exam in question. Repeat instances may lead to an "F" for the entire course and, in more serious or repeated cases, to dismissal from the university.

If I disagree with a suspicion of plagiarism, what can I do?

Contact the professor responsible directly and schedule a conversation through TALK (the chat bubble icon in the Learning Management System (LMS)), or open a ticket with your program's Coordination office.

Who checks whether my work is original?

Work submitted through the Learning Management System (LMS) may undergo an originality check before being graded by the professor.

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See Also

In the Knowledge Base

• What Is the Acceptance Agreement?
• Academic FAQ
• Student Handbook