Teaching & Learning
- Students may use generative AI in coursework only within university policy and course-level limits
- Whether AI use is acceptable for a particular assignment is also controlled by course instructions, the syllabus, and faculty guidance
- The university allows AI to begin research and provide editing assistance, but AI-generated content is not original and must be cited or attributed
The University supports the transparent and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI), which refers to technologies that can create text, images, or multimedia. All use of Gen-AI programs must comply with all University policies, including without limitation, the University's academic integrity policy in the “Prohibited Student Conduct” section of the Student Handbook and any guidelines provided by individual departments.
While Gen-AI may be used to begin the process of researching and to provide editing assistance, Gen-AI-generated content is not considered original, so it must be cited as borrowed ideas, images, or wording. Any use of Gen-AI that appears in a submission must be attributed or cited appropriately, e.g., (OpenAI, 2024).
inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate content as defined by course instructions,
course syllabus or connect with their faculty member if they have any questions regarding how Gen-AI may be used in their course assignments.
- The prohibited student conduct policy also treats inappropriate AI-generated content, as defined by course instructions, as academic misconduct
- Use of AI in exams and assignments is not uniformly permitted; students need prior instructor approval to collaborate with an AI provider on an exam or assignment
collaborating on an exam or assignment with any other person or AI provider without prior approval from the instructor,
inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate content as defined by course instructions,
- The university encourages student use of generative AI as part of learning in and out of the classroom, provided the use is ethical and appropriate
- It explicitly permits AI to help start research and provide editing assistance, while requiring students to verify the accuracy and relevance of AI content before using it in academic work
As part of American Public University System (APUS)’s culture of continuous improvement and innovation, generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) technologies are embraced as tools for learning in and out of the classroom.
The University encourages the use of Gen-AI tools as part of the students’ academic experiences. As an outcome of this, APUS students are expected to demonstrate ethical and appropriate use of Gen-AI in their courses.
While Gen-AI may be used to begin the process of researching and to provide editing assistance, Gen-AI-generated content is not considered original, so it must be cited as borrowed ideas, images, or wording.
Therefore, students should always verify the accuracy and relevance of Gen-AI content before using it in their academic work.
Research
- For student academic writing, generative AI may be used to begin research and provide editing assistance, but AI-generated text is not original and must be cited or attributed
- The guidelines also require students to validate direct quotes, citations, and references appearing in AI-generated documents and to follow the citation style required by the discipline or course
While Gen-AI may be used to begin the process of researching and to provide editing assistance, Gen-AI-generated content is not considered original, so it must be cited as borrowed ideas, images, or wording. Any use of Gen-AI that appears in a submission must be attributed or cited appropriately, e.g., (OpenAI, 2024).
students must validate each direct quote, citation, and reference that appears in Gen-AI-generated documents to ensure that they are credible (see below).
At APUS, students typically use MLA, APA, Chicago, or other citation standards based on the individual department’s professional requirements. Students should check the syllabus or ask the professor for guidance on which to choose.
- The IRB pages supplied do not contain explicit artificial-intelligence guidance
- The provided sources do not define AI-specific rules for grant proposals, IRB applications, or research ethics review
not defined
Academic Integrity
- Disclosure and attribution are mandatory when AI appears in submitted work
- The guidelines also direct students to use the citation style required by the department or instructor
- Students must cite or attribute AI-generated ideas, images, or wording, and they must explain how and to what extent they used AI when requested
Gen-AI-generated content is not considered original, so it must be cited as borrowed ideas, images, or wording. Any use of Gen-AI that appears in a submission must be attributed or cited appropriately, e.g., (OpenAI, 2024).
When requested, students must reveal how and to what extent Gen-AI tools were used.
At APUS, students typically use MLA, APA, Chicago, or other citation standards based on the individual department’s professional requirements. Students should check the syllabus or ask the professor for guidance on which to choose.
- The university states that AI-related violations can be treated as academic misconduct and can lead to discipline up to dismissal
- The sources provided do not define a university position on specific AI detection tools, but they do state that faculty may require rewrites if inappropriate AI use is detected
Failure to adhere to this Gen-AI Policy or any other policies and guidelines, may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University.
APUS supports and promotes academic honesty and personal integrity. Any form of academic dishonesty has no place in higher education. APUS does not tolerate dishonest efforts by its students. Students who are guilty of academic dishonesty and students who knowingly assist another student in dishonest behavior are equally responsible.
For example, a zero entered in the gradebook after granting an assignment extension is a placeholder, not a final grade. Other examples include faculty asking for a rewrite if inappropriate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or plagiarism is detected in a student’s paper or faculty allowing a late submission, but still deciding to take off points for lateness.
Institutional & Administrative
- The provided sources do not identify any university-approved AI platforms
- Students are prohibited from submitting personally identifiable information, health or medical records, or confidential or commercially sensitive information into generative AI tools
Do Not Submit Confidential Information to AI Tools: Do not submit personally identifiable information (e.g., name; physical or email address; health and medical records; or confidential or commercially sensitive information) to Gen-AI tools. They do not have the capacity to recognize personal information from public information.
- The provided sources do not identify a separate AI committee, governance body, or formal roadmap
- It also says it aims to help students understand benefits, risks, and appropriate uses of AI in academic and professional contexts
- The university states an institutional position that generative AI is embraced as part of its culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and that it supports transparent and ethical AI use
As part of American Public University System (APUS)’s culture of continuous improvement and innovation, generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) technologies are embraced as tools for learning in and out of the classroom. APUS aims to support students in understanding the potential benefits and risks of Gen-AI tools by exploring their ethical and appropriate uses in academic and professional contexts.
The University supports the transparent and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI), which refers to technologies that can create text, images, or multimedia.
DocuMark: Responsible AI Use for Academic Integrity
Knowing your institution's AI policy is step one. DocuMark helps enforce it fairly by empowering universities to manage AI-generated content, prevent cheating, and support student writing through responsible AI use.
Common Questions About American Public University System's AI Policies
American Public University System has defined AI policies in 9 of 12 categories, with an overall coverage score of 75%.
Disclosure and attribution are mandatory when AI appears in submitted work. Students must cite or attribute AI-generated ideas, images, or wording, and they must explain how and to what extent they used AI when requested. The guidelines also direct students to use the citation style required by the department or instructor.
The university states that AI-related violations can be treated as academic misconduct and can lead to discipline up to dismissal. The sources provided do not define a university position on specific AI detection tools, but they do state that faculty may require rewrites if inappropriate AI use is detected.
Students are prohibited from submitting personally identifiable information, health or medical records, or confidential or commercially sensitive information into generative AI tools. The provided sources do not identify any university-approved AI platforms.