Psychology Departmental Policies

The Department of Psychology at Fort Hays State University seeks to maintain the highest possible academic standards among its students. These policies have been established in alignment in alignment with the FHSU Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures https://www.fhsu.edu/judicial/academic-misconduct/.  Violations of such standards constitute a serious compromise of the educational process.  

These violations include but are not limited to: plagiarism, ghost authorship, unacceptable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accordance with FHSU Guidelines AI Guidance webpage, compromising the integrity of the examination process (i.e., copying or communicating during an exam with the intent to cheat, utilization of unauthorized materials during an exam, attempting to obtain or obtaining a copy/copies of an exam prior to its administration, providing another student in advance with a copy of an exam to be taken later), falsifying or altering research data, recycling work completed in other courses, and collaborating at inappropriate times. Any student guilty of violating these standards will be subject to disciplinary action. These actions may include verbal/written reprimand, failure of the exam or project without opportunity for the make-up of the exam or project, failure of the course, or recommendation to the administration that said student be placed on probation, suspended, or dismissed from the University. Repeat offenses will be subject to more severe penalties.  

All students in psychology classes have the right to question assigned final grades in the department. Students should carefully examine their own work and other related factors of performance, such as class attendance, before pursuing an appeal. However, if a student believes assigned final grades are the result of an instructor error, discrimination, or other unfair practices, they should question the basis on which the final grades were awarded. If such an appeal is made, the psychology department will proceed in the following steps. If the student is appealing a grade assigned by the chair of the department, then the tasks assigned to the chair in each of the following steps will be assumed by the Dean of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences.  

Informal Appeal Process 

STEP 1. The student should meet with the course instructor and request an explanation of the basis for the grade within four (4) weeks or twenty (20) working days of the issued final grade. If this explanation is unsatisfactory to the student, the student may proceed to Step 2 below within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decision of the instructor.  

STEP 2. The student should meet with the chair of the department and explain the questions and issues concerning the course instructor’s assigned grade. This meeting should occur within 10 working days of the conclusion of Step 1. The student should explain information relevant to the questions at hand. The chair will then discuss the matter with the instructor to reach agreement between student and instructor within ten (10) working days. The chair WILL NOT decide upon an appropriate grade at this point.  

If the discussions between the chair, student, and instructor do not produce a satisfactory resolution for the student, the student may continue to the formal appeal process with Step 3, which must be initiated within ten (10) working days of the issued outcome. 

Formal Appeal Process 

STEP 3. If the outcome of Step 2 is unsatisfactory to the student, the student must submit to the department chair a formal, written one page document concerning the assignment of a grade and addressing the complaint within ten (10) working days of the issued outcome. The department chair will proceed with Step 4.  

STEP 4. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of the student complaint, the department chair will review the written complaint and make a verbal recommendation to all parties regarding how the situation could be resolved. If this resolution is not to the satisfaction of all parties involved, the department chair will prepare a written recommendation and continue with Step 5. 

STEP 5. The department chair will form a Psychology Department Appeals Committee within ten (10) working days of the conclusion of Step 4. Both the student’s formal, written appeal and the chair’s recommendation will be shared with the committee. This committee will consist of three faculty members, including as many as possible from within the psychology department. The committee will not include either the chair of the department or the instructor in question. The Psychology Department Appeals Committee will make a written recommendation to the chair after reviewing the case and, if desired, hearing from the parties involved within four (4) weeks or twenty (20) working days of the formation of the committee.  

STEP 6. The student is encouraged to meet with the chair to discuss the recommendation of the Psychology Department Grade Appeals Committee within ten (10) working days of receipt of the recommendation. If the student is not satisfied with the committee’s decision, the chair will advise the student on the next steps. 

Step 7. The student can seek further counsel by scheduling a meeting with the Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. The Dean will request and review all of the materials, including the student’s original written appeal letter to the chair, the written recommendation of the chair, and the written recommendation of the Psychology Department Grade Appeals Committee. The Dean will attempt to resolve the dispute to the satisfaction of all parties and will advise the student on the university level appeal procedures. 

Step 8. The university level grade appeal procedures are initiated by the student following policies for either undergraduate or graduate courses.   

University Level Undergraduate Grade Appeal Processes: https://www.fhsu.edu/registrar/academic-policies-and-information/ 

All students in psychology classes have the right to question assigned final grades in the department. Students should carefully examine their own work and other related factors of performance, such as class attendance, before pursuing an appeal. However, if a student believes assigned final grades are the result of an instructor error, discrimination, or other unfair practices, they should question the basis on which the final grades were awarded. If such an appeal is made, the psychology department will proceed in the following steps. If the student is appealing a grade assigned by the chair of the department, then the tasks assigned to the chair in each of the following steps will be assumed by the Dean of the College of Health & Behavioral Sciences.  

Informal Appeal Process 

STEP 1. The student should meet with the course instructor and request an explanation of the basis for the grade after the final grade has been issued. If this explanation is unsatisfactory to the student, the student may proceed to Step 2 below upon receipt of the decision of the instructor.  

STEP 2. If a satisfactory resolution between the student and the instructor is not reached in Step 1, the student can appeal the final grade using the Graduate School Grade Appeal Processes: https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/gradschl/current-students/appeals/#Form 

The Department of Psychology at Fort Hays State University seeks to maintain the highest possible academic standards among its students while recognizing that there are times or situations in which an assignment cannot be completed in a timely manner. As a department, we allow students enrolled in psychology courses a maximum of one (1) late assignment, exam, or paper in a semester long course.    

Any individual instructor may choose to allow no late work accommodations. Any student who violates these standards will be subject to disciplinary action, including failing the assignment missed. Exceptions to this policy due to unforeseen circumstances will be evaluated by the instructor and department chair to determine the appropriate course of action.   

The FHSU Department of Psychology provides students with carefully designed courses to meet American Psychological Association learning outcomes. However, the department recognizes there are emergency situations which arise that prevent students from completing a course by the end of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to recognize when requesting an incomplete might be appropriate and to do so within a timely manner and before final grades are entered. 

As a department, we will consider providing students with an Incomplete (“I”) when the following requirements have been met: 

1. At least 80% of the work for the course up to the time of the request has been completed.  
2. An emergency* arises preventing the student from finishing the course work.  

If a student’s situation meets these requirements, an Incomplete may be granted at the instructor’s discretion. The requirements are necessary for students to receive an Incomplete, but they are not sufficient in and of themselves. It is the instructor’s decision to grant an Incomplete, once the requirements have been met.  

If granted an Incomplete, the instructor will provide students with an extended deadline to complete the remaining assigned work in the class in a timely fashion, following the FHSU policy for removing an Incomplete.  Students who have not met the requirements for consideration of an Incomplete will receive a final grade based on points obtained by the end of the semester and are encouraged to explore options with their academic advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to carry out the agreed upon plan for completion of course requirements within the timeline established with the course instructor.  

*Students may be asked to provide documentation of the emergency and what constitutes an emergency is at the instructor’s discretion.   

Psychology instructors plan to interact and engage with each of you on a regular basis throughout the term to support your learning. Instructors will provide direct instruction related to the course’s learning objectives, respond to your questions, grade and/or provide feedback on your submitted coursework, post regular announcements, and engage in the course discussion areas regarding academic course content when appropriate.   

Instructors will respond to emails in a timely manner Monday-Friday unless otherwise posted. In alignment with FHSU guidelines, instructors aim to grade and provide feedback to students in a timely manner. On the occasion that instructors are unable to adhere to a timely grading period, they will communicate with students. In general, students can expect feedback within two weeks of submission of most assignments unless otherwise noted (e.g., larger project that may require additional time to assess or if notified by instructor).   

While instructors aim to support student success, it is the student’s responsibility to be proactive in accessing support. It is the expectation that students will contact professors directly when experiencing challenges meeting course expectations. This is particularly important for students taking online, asynchronous courses as it is inherently challenging to recognize and attend to student puzzlement in asynchronous online settings.   

Students are responsible for reviewing and applying feedback provided by course instructors. If clarification is needed or if questions remain, students should take the initiative to seek guidance from the course instructor. 

Students are responsible for engaging in course learning activities and purchasing and reviewing all course materials within a timely and reasonable timeframe. If challenges arise regarding access to course materials or challenges with technology/learning platforms, students may seek guidance from the course instructor but ultimately retain responsibility or accessing and utilizing course materials in a timely manner and should independently seek assistance from technology or other support services as needed.  

Students are expected to communicate with course instructors in a timely manner when challenges arise preventing attendance or course progress. It is the student’s responsibility to contact and work with Student Affairs in the event that an emergency arises necessitating extended absences or accommodations.  Students in need of accommodations are responsible for seeking accommodations through the appropriate university channels (e.g., Student Accessibility Services) and for communicating any resulting accommodations letters to the course instructor in a timely manner.    

As a department, we value and strive to promote diversity of thought, individual differences and opinions add tremendous value to our community of learning. During class discussions and via online forums, students are expected to actively participate and to treat other students with dignity and respect. We will at times be discussing controversial issues. Please remember that other students may have different opinions and experiences, and it is imperative to ensure that the language utilized is respectful and inclusive. Spoken or written comments that are defamatory or intend to show disrespect for any person or group, based on any element of identity (e.g. race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, social class, ability) will not be tolerated and may result in the removal of the violator from the setting/platform at the discretion of the instructor. As your instructor, I will adhere to these standards as well.    

As psychologists offering courses within our department, we aim to align our policies and guidelines with American Psychological Association (APA) professional ethics and find it important to uphold these professional standards and expectations within our learning environment.  

• APA Ethics Code

• APA Inclusive Language Guidelines