Academic Policies

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity finds its genesis in the fundamental values of honesty, tolerance, respect, rigor, fairness, and the pursuit of truth. Scholarship is at the heart of this academic community, and trust between faculty and students is essential to the achievement of quality scholarship. At times scholarship is collaborative, at times independent. Academic dishonesty or cheating involves the use of any method or technique enabling a student to misrepresent the quality or integrity of his or her academic study, scholarship, or practice. All sources, both written and oral, should be properly cited. Acts of academic dishonesty are contrary to the mission of Lewis & Clark and constitute a serious breach of trust among community members.

When alleged dishonesty is such that it cannot be addressed through a prescribed course of action within the parameters of the class or practicum, dismissal will be considered. In certain situations where there is cause to believe the level of dishonesty brings into question the personal qualities necessary to perform as a scholar or practice as a professional, dismissal from the program may be required.

Academic Integrity in Practice

Lewis & Clark believes that each member of the community is responsible for the integrity of his or her individual academic and professional performance. In addition, because each act of dishonesty harms the entire community, all individuals—students, faculty, and staff members alike—are responsible for encouraging the integrity of others: by their own example, by confronting individuals they observe committing dishonest acts, and/or by discussing such actions with a faculty member or academic dean, who will respect the confidentiality of such discussions. When any individual violates this community's standards, Lewis & Clark is committed as a community to take appropriate steps to maintain standards of academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty with respect to written or other types of assignments includes but is not limited to: failure to acknowledge the ideas or words of another that have consciously been taken from a source, published or unpublished; placing one's name on papers, reports, or other documents that are the work of another individual, whether published or unpublished; flagrant misuse of the assistance provided by another in the process of completing academic work; submission of the same paper or project for separate courses without prior authorization by faculty members; fabrication or alteration of data; or knowingly facilitating the academic dishonesty of another.

Academic dishonesty with respect to intellectual property includes but is not limited to theft, alteration, or destruction of the academic work of other members of the community, or of the educational resources, materials, or official documents of the College.

Appeal Review Process

A student may contest decisions related to participation in his or her graduate program, such as decisions pertaining to academic performance; academic integrity; whether a student is ready/able to perform successfully in a practicum, internship, student teaching, or other field experience; competence; or ethical conduct. The student should first attempt to resolve the concern with the faculty member who provided the initial evaluation or with his or her advisor, asking for clarification or further consideration. If the matter remains unresolved, the student may then elect to meet with the department chair. If the student feels the matter has not been satisfactorily resolved, he or she may choose to request a formal appeal review by sending written notification to the dean.

No later than three weeks following receipt of the student notification requesting appeal review, an appeal review committee—consisting of a department chair from outside the student's program, one faculty member, and the dean—will convene to address the student's concern. The student and student's department chair or representative will present their positions to the committee at this time, along with supporting documentation. The committee may conduct an additional investigation.

The appeal review committee's decision will be final and will be sent in writing no later than one week following the review hearing.

Modification of Academic Requirements

Students who seek modification of academic requirements may petition the graduate school. Before submitting a petition, the student should meet with his or her advisor to consider ways of fulfilling the requirement without the need for a special petition. A petition form is available from the graduate registrar's office.

Definition of Student Status: Degree/Licensure-Seeking Student

A Degree/Licensure-Seeking Student is defined as one who has been formally admitted to graduate study leading to a masters, educational specialist, or doctoral degrees, or endorsements or licensure in teaching, educational administration, school counseling, school psychology, or counseling psychology.

Definition of Student Status: Special Student

If, for valid reasons, a student is unable to complete an application prior to the deadline, the student may be granted Special Student status.

A Special Student is defined as one of the following:

1. A student who is not seeking a Lewis & Clark degree or licensure and is taking courses solely for personal or professional enrichment.
2. A student who is interested in pursuing a Lewis & Clark degree or licensure but has not been formally admitted to graduate study.

Special Students are allowed to enroll for a maximum of nine credits. Enrollment does not guarantee that the student will be admitted to any graduate program or that the coursework taken will be accepted for degree, endorsement, or licensure requirements.

Special Students are not eligible for federal student aid.