The Department endorses the Graduate School Guidelines for good practice in Graduate Education that are summarized below. It is the joint responsibility of faculty and students to work together to nurture a positive learning environment. Additional valuable resources for graduate students are available at https://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-program-resources/
Understanding the work environment. Faculty and students must each take the initiative to learn the policies, rules, regulations, and practices that affect them, their work, and the units in which they work.
Academic honesty, professional integrity, and confidentiality. Each member of the graduate community must endeavor to adhere to the highest level of these ideas in all their personal and professional activities.
A clear course of study. The student and faculty adviser should develop early in a program a clear plan of academic study and the responsibilities associated with it.
An atmosphere of openness. Students and faculty must work to establish and maintain an environment that is open, sensitive, and encourages free discussion among members of the graduate community.
Acknowledgement of intellectual rights and property. Students and faculty should discuss issues associated with academic freedom, intellectual property, authorship, and publication as part of the student's academic plan.
Opportunities for evaluation. Evaluation, reflection, and feedback are integral parts of the academic process. To this end an annual graduate student review is required of all students advised by faculty in the Department.
