A full list of Harrison Middleton University’s academic policies and regulations may be found in the current university catalog.
Questions about the university’s academic policies and regulations?
e-mail: re*******@hm*.edu or call 1-877-248-6724.
As a student of a Distance Education Accrediting Commission accredited distance education university, I recognize that in the pursuit of my educational goals and aspirations I have certain responsibilities toward my fellow distance learners, my university, and myself. To fulfill these responsibilities, I pledge adherence to this Code of Conduct.
I will observe fully the standards, rules, policies, and guidelines established by the university, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, the State Education Agency, and other appropriate organizations serving an oversight role for my university.
I will adhere to high ethical standards in the pursuit of my education, and to the best of my ability will:
Conduct myself with professionalism, courtesy, and respect for others in all of my dealings with the university Tutors, Mentors, Portfolio Evaluators, administration, and other students.
Present my qualifications and background truthfully and accurately for admission to the university.
Observe the university policies and rules on submitting work, completing oral and written examinations, participating in discussions, and conducting research.
Never turn in work that is not my own, or present another person’s ideas or scholarship as my own.
Never ask for, receive, or give unauthorized help on graded assignments or oral and written examinations.
Never use outside books or papers that are unauthorized by the university’s curriculum and instruction.
Never divulge the content of assignments or oral and written examinations to fellow students.
Never improperly use, destroy, forge, or alter my university’s documents, transcripts, or other records.
(When applicable) Never divulge my online username or password.
Always observe the recommended study schedule for my program of studies.
Always report any violations of this Code of Conduct to the appropriate institution official, and report any evidence of cheating, plagiarism (in all forms), or improper conduct on the part of any student of the university when I have direct knowledge of these activities.
Harrison Middleton University is an academic distance learning community. Its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. Like all other communities, the university can function properly only if its members adhere to clearly established goals and values. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the university is the commitment to the principles of truth and academic honesty. Accordingly, the Honor Code is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld. While all members of the university share this responsibility, the Honor Code is designed so that special responsibility for upholding the principle of academic honesty lies with each student.
Any of the following acts, when committed by a student, shall constitute academic dishonesty:
Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Cheating of any kind.
Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
Falsification of any oral or written examination, record, assignment, or report.
Representing oneself as another student for the purpose of taking an examination or allowing oneself to be represented by another for the same reason.
Furnishing false or misleading information to university officials or on official records.
Forging, altering, or misusing the university name, the name of university employees, documents, records, or identification.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of the Honor Code.
Collaborating with another student during an oral or written examination without permission.
Collusion by obtaining or giving another student unauthorized assistance with coursework.
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting contents of an oral or written examination, record, assignment, or report.
Representing oneself as another student for the purpose of taking an examination or allowing oneself to be represented by another for the same reason.
Using any technology to infringe upon the rights of others.
Using technology (or verbally threatening to do so) to take any action that endangers or impairs the safety, health, life, or freedom of any person affiliated with Harrison Middleton University.
If it is determined by a student’s Mentor, Tutor, Portfolio Evaluator, or any other staff member, that plagiarism has occurred, the student will receive a grade of XF (failure due to academic dishonesty).
Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise.
Plagiarism (in any form).
Using material not authorized by the university’s curriculum to complete an assignment or oral and written examination without permission.
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting contents of an oral or written examination, record, assignment, or report.
If plagiarism re-occurs, the student’s enrollment at Harrison Middleton University may be suspended.
If it is determined that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, a grade of XF is considered the normal sanction for students. The grade of XF is noted on the academic transcript as failure due to academic dishonesty. Lesser or more severe sanctions may be imposed when there are circumstances to warrant such consideration. Suspension or expulsion from the university may be imposed even for a first offense.
Students not conducting themselves in a professional and courteous manner in the educational environment or students who violate any policy of Harrison Middleton University may also be in breach of student responsibilities and subject to action up to and including dismissal from the university.
All students at Harrison Middleton University are expected to be honorable and observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The university promotes, as part of its mission and purpose, the development of men and women of strong character and responsibility. Honesty and dependable self-discipline are extremely important. Students must commit to satisfactorily completing all coursework within the required sixteen (16) week (maximum) per course time frame. The university expects students to actively pursue their studies and regularly submit coursework. Students also agree to fulfill all financial responsibilities to Harrison Middleton University.
Harrison Middleton University uses the following system of grading:
A Outstanding = 4.00
B Commendable = 3.00
C Average = 2.00
D Deficient, minimal pass = 1.00
F Failure = 0.00
P Pass
XF Failure Due to Academic Dishonesty = 0.00
Pass (P): students may not elect the Pass/Fail grade for regularly graded courses. A grade of Pass/Fail is awarded for a Comprehensive Examination. A grade of “Pass” may be awarded for the Capstone course at the discretion of the Instructional Team. Students earn hours for a “P” grade, but the grade is not used for computing students’ GPA.
Grades are recorded for completed classes only. Incomplete coursework will not be recorded.
Each assessment in a course is equally weighted when calculating the final course grade.
Adequate steps are taken by Harrison Middleton University to ensure that the degree candidate has personally fulfilled the degree requirements stipulated by the university. The student’s achievement is assessed by an appropriate number of proctored assessments spaced throughout the program of study.
Proctoring is conducted by Harrison Middleton University. The process for conducting proctored assessments uses Zoom and a web camera. Students need to ensure they have a free Basic Zoom account and an appropriately working web camera which meets the minimum Zoom account requirements. Students contact the assigned Tutor for the discussion using Zoom. Once the discussion has started, the Tutor will capture a screenshot of the student and request the student verify his or her student identification number. This screenshot of the student and stated student identification number will be e-mailed to the Registrar to be compared with the government-issued identification provided by the student. The screenshot is then placed in the student file.
This process will ensure that the student taking the proctored assessment is the same person who enrolled in the program and that assessment results will reflect the student’s own knowledge and competence in accordance with stated educational objectives and learning outcomes. Harrison Middleton University uses valid government-issued color photo identification to confirm the identity of a student.
Students may enroll and begin their program at Harrison Middleton University at any time. Students may proceed through their program as quickly as desire, time, and ability permit. Personal time constraints and motivation will determine the individual completion schedule. The maximum time to complete each course is sixteen (16) weeks. University policy requires students to be enrolled in the master’s program for a minimum of one year, and no more than six years from the date of initial enrollment unless authorized by the university. Doctoral degree programs are completed in no fewer than two years and no more than ten years from the date of initial enrollment. Doctoral students must comply with the five-year time limit for graduation after passing the comprehensive examination – second concentration.
Harrison Middleton University encourages persistent efforts on the part of all students. The university expects each student to take full responsibility for his or her academic work and academic progress. To progress satisfactorily and maintain an active standing, students must:
Maintain a GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for graduate work completed at Harrison Middleton University.
Complete a minimum of one course within a sixteen (16) week period.
Meet all of the requirements for each course for which he or she is enrolled. Students are expected to regularly submit coursework to meet the sixteen (16) week time frame and pursue their individual studies with diligence.
Complete the master’s program in no fewer than one year, and no more than six years from the date of initial enrollment unless authorized by the university.
Complete the doctoral degree program in no fewer than two years and no more than ten years from the date of initial enrollment unless authorized by the university. Doctoral students must comply with the five-year time limit for graduation after passing the comprehensive examination – second concentration.
To fulfill the requirements of the Harrison Middleton University course curriculum, students should possess or have access to:
1) a personal computer;
2) an e-mail account that will accept all e-mails, including attachments, from the domain name hmu.edu;
3) a word processor program such as Microsoft Word;
4) a free Basic Zoom account for one-to-one discussions with Tutors (https://zoom.us/); and
5) a web camera.
6) Students are required to utilize Populi, a student and institution information system, for course enrollment, tuition and fee payment, assignment submission, discussion requests, and other communication with the university.
7) Students are required to subscribe to the Important Student Announcements e-mail list while enrolled at Harrison Middleton University to receive an annual Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) notification and other important announcements.
