UC Policies & Academic Integrity

Your academic journey at UC comes with rights, responsibilities, and a clear set of expectations. This section brings together the policies that every student should know, whether you're just getting started or you're deep into your program. The more familiar you are with these guidelines, the better equipped you are to navigate your education with confidence.

Online learning offers flexibility, but the same academic standards that apply on campus apply to you. Knowing these policies before you need them puts you in control.

Jump to:

• Grades
• Withdrawals
• Academic Misconduct
• Student Code of Conduct

Your grade reflects your academic performance in each course and directly impacts your GPA, financial aid eligibility, and academic standing. UC uses a standard grading scale, so familiarize yourself with how letter grades translate to grade points so there are no surprises at the end of a term.

Life happens, and sometimes you need to step back from a course. Understanding UC's add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines and policies can protect your GPA and financial aid. Withdrawing at the right time and through the right process makes a significant difference. If you're considering a withdrawal, connect with your advisor first.

All UC Bearcats are expected to uphold a high level of academic integrity in their coursework.

Academic integrity means being honest, responsible, and ethical in your learning by doing your own work, giving credit to others when appropriate, and following course policies. For example,

• Completing your own assignments and exams.
• Giving credit when using someone else's ideas, words, or work.
• Using proper citations (link to Citations under Learning and Research Support) for sources, images, and research.
• Avoiding plagiarism, including copying and pasting from websites or AI tools without attribution.
• Following your instructor's guidelines for using AI tools and other resources.
• Not sharing quiz, test, or assignment answers with other students.
• Contributing your fair share to group projects.
• Being honest about your work, effort, and attendance.
• Using authorized materials only during quizzes and exams.
• Asking questions when you're unsure about course expectations or citation requirements.
• Submitting original work that reflects your own understanding and learning.
• Respecting the intellectual property and work of classmates and instructors. 

Understand what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, and how to use sources responsibly in your academic work by reading this UC Plagiarism Guide. 

This Plagiarism Module by the UC Library is a great tool to help you understand plagiarism and how to ensure you’re submitting work that meets the expectations of the University of Cincinnati. 

Academic integrity is the foundation of your degree. UC takes misconduct seriously, including plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized collaboration, and so should you. This page outlines what constitutes academic misconduct, how cases are handled, and what your rights are throughout the process.

When in doubt about whether something is allowed, ask your instructor before submitting, not after.

The Student Code of Conduct defines the behavioral expectations UC holds for every student, on campus and online. It covers everything from academic dishonesty to community standards and outlines the conduct process if a violation occurs. Reading it once can save you from significant consequences down the road.

Have questions about how a policy applies to your situation? Reach out to your academic advisor or the Office of Student Conduct. They're here to help, not just to enforce.