As such, the University is predicated on the principles of scholastic honesty. It is an academic community all of whose members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and in their exercise of responsibility toward other members of the community. Academic dishonesty is an affront to the integrity of scholarship at USD and a threat to the quality of learning. To maintain its credibility and uphold its reputation, the University has procedures to deal with academic dishonesty which are uniform and which should be understood by all. Copies of the full policy on Academic Integrity are available at the offices of the Provost, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Academic Deans, and in the Faculty Handbook.
Instructors also explain other specific expectations regarding academic integrity in their classes.
At the end of each semester or session, a graduate student's grade and credit in semester hours for each course taken is recorded on the transcript and the grade report sent to students' homes. Students should consult program descriptions for details regarding the minimum acceptable grade for courses and the minimum overall Grade Point Average in their program. It is the student's responsibility to explain to the instructor the reasons for non-completion of the work and to request an Incomplete grade prior to the posting of final grades. The instructor should discuss with the student the conditions and deadline for completion, whenever possible. In addition, the instructor must document the conditions and deadline using the Petition for Grade of Incomplete.