Policies & Procedures

IAS Graduate Student Handbook

The Policies and Procedures covered in this section of the website align with the Policies and Procedures outlined by the University of Washington Graduate School.

Understood in conjunction with your graduate program’s specific curriculum, these pages constitute your Student Handbook. Please review them, as they cover the policies and procedures needed for satisfactory degree completion, academic progress, and maintenance of student status.

For your specific degree requirements, see “Curriculum” on your program’s website:
MA in Policy Studies| MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics

If you have any questions regarding the policies and procedures pertaining to your program, please consult with the IAS Graduate Office or your Program Director.

Student Conduct

Admission to the University carries the responsibility to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other members of the University community and refrain from any conduct that interferes with University functions or endangers the health, welfare, or safety of other persons.

The Student Conduct Code outlines standards of law and ethics, as well as processes for addressing violations. The Student Conduct Code applies to all University of Washington students from point of admission through graduation.

Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to abuse, assault, or harassment of others; discrimination; retaliation; academic misconduct (eg, cheating or plagiarism); acts of dishonesty or theft; and disruption or obstruction of the teaching and learning environment.

Academic Integrity

At the heart of the creative and scholarly enterprise is the generation of one’s own intellectual work, even when such work is citational, appropriative, or otherwise based on found materials. Using another person’s original words, ideas, or research, including material found on the Internet, in any academic exercise without properly crediting that person constitutes plagarism.

All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the rules on plagiarism and fair use. You are responsible for knowing and upholding the University of Washington’s policies on academic integrity, consistent with the Student Code of Conduct. Please refer to the Library Resources on Academic Integrity, and if questions arise, speak with an advisor or seek help with the Writing & Communication Center.

Student Responsibilities

As a graduate student, you are responsible for the following tasks:

  • Understanding the policies and procedures and curriculum content for your program as they relate to degree completion, academic performance and progress, and student status.
  • Refer to the curriculum’s degree completion requirements to ensure that you are making satisfactory progress.
  • Register on time for appropriate required and elective courses.
  • Submit the master’s degree request by the deadline during the quarter you plan to graduate and complete your degree. Neglecting this step will result in the need to register for an additional quarter even though you may have completed all degree requirements.
  • Make sure your contact information is up to date in your MyUW profile.
  • Check your UW email regularly.
  • Contact the IAS Graduate Office for general advising or answers to specific questions.