Communication Department :: Professional Ethics and Communication

Graduate study in the Department of Communication trains students to become professionals in their field. Two pillars of professional conduct comprise the foundation of such training:

Ethics

Professionals prize academic work that rigorously and systematically acknowledges its sources; they know relevant definitions of academic misconduct and refuse to engage in such misconduct. The Department of Communication adheres to University definitions of academic misconduct found on the website for the U of M Office of Student Conduct.

Civility

Professionals practice constructive dialogue and disagreement in the interest of sustaining a tolerant and respectful environment for teaching and research; they know what uncivil conduct is and refuse to engage in conduct that obstructs successful and safe learning. The Department of Communication adheres to University definitions of “prohibited conduct by students” found in the U of M Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

Students found by the Office of Student Conduct to have committed misconduct will be sanctioned by the University in accordance with the policies contained in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and might have their graduate candidacy terminated by the Department.

For additional guidance on the importance of ethical and civil communication see:

The National Communication Association’s Ethical Statements Platform

NCA’s ethical platforms are professional standards of ethical communication. Students who demonstrate a consistent pattern of violating any one of them will be sanctioned accordingly, perhaps including loss of assistantship and expulsion from the program.

The Communication Department’s statement on Rights and Responsibilities page that you complete at the beginning of every academic year.