COURSE SYLLABUS PD120-Personal Financial Management

COURSE SYLLABUS
PD120-Personal Financial Management

FACULTY CONTACT INFO & OFFICE HOURS:
Phone Number: (Please fill this in.)
Email: (Please fill this in.)

DAY

OFFICE HOURS (CST)

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR:
(Description of best method of contact.)

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:
Date:

(Please fill this in.)

Course Number:

PD 120

Course Name:

Personal Financial Management

Semester Credit Hours: 1semester hour
Prerequisite(s):

None

1


COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with concepts of personal financial planning and financial control. Topics center on critical self
examination of student planning techniques through analysis and research of personal financial legal documents,
checking accounts and banking services, income tax procedures, savings methods, investment planning, risk
management and insurance, and credit records, credit law, and the cost of credit.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain commonly utilized accounting methods for determining federal and state taxation policies.
2. Formulate a comprehensive personal budget.
3. Apply money management theories and practices used in the American banking system.
4. Define individual responsibilities associated with honoring contractual agreements in the American legal
system.
5. Identify commonly used insurance instruments through researching methods of risk management.
6. Prepare a personal insurance plan.

REQUIRED TEXT(S):
Ryan, Joan S. (2010). Managing your Personal Finance, 6th ed. Mason, Ohio: Southwestern-Cengage Learning.

ISBN: 0538449373 ISBN-13: 9780538449373

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
There are many course resources available for you to use to help you with assignments, tests, and learning.
Resources are linked to your session page each week and are compatible with the week’s learning exercises. You
may also wish to access the Herzing Online Library or contact technical support as needed.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic honesty is fundamental value at Herzing College Online. Academic Integrity is a demonstration of
response for the scholarship and the intellectual/creative efforts of others. Herzing will not accept academic
dishonesty, which includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating in any form, theft of educational material, and
the falsification of data. Plagiarism is the use of another source, person or group’s work without giving the
author(s) credit. Plagiarism is lying, dishonest, and illegal and will not be tolerated in an institution whose mission
is to educate students and help them obtain the skills that enable them to make decisions of conscience. Herzing
policy stipulates that an instance of plagiarism, academic dishonesty or cheating will result in a failing grade for the
assignment and at the discretion of the instructor a failing grade for the course. In addition, a written warning will
be retained on record in the student’s academic file. A second warning may result in the student being expelled
from the college.

2


In all instances when borrowing ideas from other sources, students must provide reference of the source.
References should be presented in APA format according to the American Psychological Association (APA).
Online Etiquette:
Since we cannot see each other, we must be careful how we address one another. Let’s please be polite to
everyone’s personality, culture, and learning curve. Not everyone learns everything at the same pace. Therefore,
let’s please be courteous to one another when responding to each other’s communication efforts by not criticizing
other’s work, praising a good effort as well as being polite and sensitive to cultural backgrounds and engaging in
politically correct language.

We should also stick to the learning topics outlined by the instructor when participating in classroom discussion
threads. Discussions outside the context of the weekly learning activities should be directed to the chat café rather
than the weekly discussion board to be respectful of everyone’s time constraints.

CLASSROOM POLICIES:
Written Assignments: All assignments should be submitted by Sunday, midnight on the week they are
assigned. (For Example, Week 1 assignment is due by midnight, Sunday, November 7, 2010.) A template
is provided for you to complete the assignment. This template is located in the weekly assessments
section.
Quizzes: All weekly quizzes must be completed by Sunday evening, midnight of the week they are
assigned. The quizzes consist of multiple choice questions and essay questions. The weekly quizzes cover
the materials discussed during the week. The final exam is an assessment of all material reviewed in the
course. This quiz must be completed by Sunday evening, midnight of week 4. The mid term exam
consists of multiple choice questions and essay questions.
Class Discussion Participation: Students are required to post three posts spread over three separate days.
(Ex, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday). The initial post should respond to the main discussion questions
and the other follow-up posts should be students’ interactions with their peers’ posts or follow-up
questions from the instructor. The initial and secondary posts should be meaningful and should promote
further discussion. The initial post must be a 200 word minimum response and the follow-up posts must
be a 100 word minimum per post. The discussion assignment is worth 50 points each week (25 points for
the initial post and 25 points for follow-up posts). Please refer to the discussion threads grading rubric for
more about the quality of posts. Posts submitted after Sunday evening, midnight of the week will not be
graded. No discussion will take place when the week is over.
Late Assignments: Assignments submitted after Sunday evening will receive a 10 percent reduction in
points. Assignments received one week late (7 days late) will receive a 50 percent reduction in points.
Assignments received 2 weeks after the due date will not be graded.
.

3

Discussion Threads Grading Rubric

Discussion Threads Grading Rubric
The Academic Dishonesty policy will be strictly followed and non-compliance with the policy will result in
consequences as outlined in that policy.

GRADE

A

Fully developed
Quality of Initial
posts indicate:
Post

B
Clearly defined
posts indicate:

C

D

F

Partially
No
No discussion
developed posts development of posts submitted

indicate:
posts indicates:

•

Thorough use •
of key terms
and concepts
relevant to the
discussion

Correct use of •
key terms and
concepts
relevant to
the discussion

Minimal use •
of key terms
and
concepts
relevant to
the
discussion

No
knowledge
of the key
terms and
concepts

relevant to
the
discussion

•

Thoroughly
•
incorporates
textbook and
other academic
or professional
resources

Correctly
•
incorporates
textbook and
other
academic or
professional
resources

Minimally •
incorporates
textbook
and other
academic or
professional
resources

No use of
textbook
and other
academic or
professional
resources

•

Real-life
•
experiences
fully relate to
the discussion

Real-life
experiences
do not fully
relate to the
discussion

•

Real-life
•
experiences
do not
relate to the
discussion

No
application
of real-life
experience

•

Comprehensive •
demonstration
of analytical
and cognitive
thinking skills

Demonstrates •
of analytical
and cognitive
thinking skills

Limited
•
demonstrati
on of
analytical
and
cognitive

No
demonstrati
on of

analytical
and
cognitive
4


Discussion Threads Grading Rubric
The Academic Dishonesty policy will be strictly followed and non-compliance with the policy will result in
consequences as outlined in that policy.

GRADE

Initial Post
Deadline

A

B

C

D

thinking
skills

thinking
skills
No use of
current

events

F

•

Thorough use
of current
events

•

Correct use •
of current
events

Minimal use •
of current
events

•

Use of correct
spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation
with no errors

•

Use of
•
correct
spelling,
grammar,
and
punctuation
with minimal
errors

Incorrect •
spelling,
grammar,
and
punctuatio
n with
multiple
errors

Incorrect
spelling,
grammar,
and
punctuation
with many
errors

•

Wednesday of

the week

•

One day after •
the due date
assigned by
the Instructor

Two days •
after the
due date
assigned by
the
instructor

Last day of No discussion
the week posts submitted
(as defined
by the
Instructor)

Quality and
Fully developed
Quantity of
posts indicate:
Secondary Posts

Clearly defined
posts indicate:

•

Thorough use •
of key terms
and concepts
relevant to the
discussion

•

Real-life
experiences

•

Partially
No
No discussion
developed posts development of posts submitted
indicate:
posts indicates:

Correct use of •
key terms and
concepts
relevant to
the discussion

Minimal use •

of key terms
and
concepts
relevant to
the
discussion

No
knowledge
of the key
terms and
concepts
relevant to
the
discussion

•

Real-life
•
experiences

No
application

Real-life
experiences

5

Discussion Threads Grading Rubric
The Academic Dishonesty policy will be strictly followed and non-compliance with the policy will result in
consequences as outlined in that policy.

GRADE

A

B

C

D

fully relate to
the discussion

do not fully
relate to the
discussion

do not
relate to the
discussion

of real-life
experience

•

Comprehensive •
demonstration
of analytical
and cognitive
thinking skills

Demonstrates •
of analytical
and cognitive
thinking skills

Limited
•
demonstrati
on of
analytical
and
cognitive
thinking
skills

No
demonstrati
on of
analytical
and
cognitive
thinking
skills

•

Use of correct
spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation
with no errors

Use of
•
correct
spelling,
grammar,
and
punctuation
with minimal
errors

Incorrect •
spelling,
grammar,
and
punctuatio
n with
multiple
errors

Incorrect
spelling,

grammar,
and
punctuation
with many
errors

•

Meets or
•
exceeds the
required
number of
secondary
posts as
defined by the
Instructor;
posts are
spread out over
3+ days

•

Did not •
post the
required
number of
secondary
posts as
defined by

the
Instructor;
posts are
submitted
on the
same day,
prior to the
last day

Did not post
the required
number of
secondary
posts as
defined by
the
Instructor;
posts are
submitted
on the last
day

•

Meets the
required
number of
secondary
posts as
defined by

the
Instructor;
posts are
spread out
over 2 days

F

6


SUMMARY OF WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS :
Week 1

Course Contract – Please review the contract located in the syllabus link,
electronically sign and submit the contract in the week 1 assessment.
Read Chapters 6 and 7 in textbook.
Review materials in supporting lesson links.
Discussion Assignment #1 50 points
Respond to each of the questions below in your initial post no later than
Friday. Your initial response provided contains a minimum of 200 words. Two
additional posts (100 word minimum) are required on separate days and
may respond to other students' responses or additional questions posted.
(Ex: Initial Post - Friday; Second post - Saturday; Third post - Sunday) Posts
submitted after Sunday evening will not be graded.
1. Employees receive monetary and non-monetary benefits for the
performance of duties. Many employers offer flexible work arrangements.
What benefits and incentives do you prefer? In your response, rate the
importance of these benefits.
2. Most individuals voluntarily comply with their tax obligations. What factors

should be considered when creating a tax that is considered fair by most
people in a society?
3. Taxpayers are responsible to file a tax return every year. Filling in the
forms by hand, tax preparation software and tax preparers are a few of the
methods of completing your income tax return. Compare and contrast two
available tools. Which method will you/did you use this year? Why?
Written Assignment #1 – 75 points Your homework assignment consists of
two problems listed below. Please use the template to complete your
assignment.
Problem 1 - Prepare an employee withholding sheet similar to Figure 6.2 of
the textbook, using the following information:
Mike Anderson, whose social security number is 999-00-9962, is paid
weekly. He is single and has one withholding allowance. He works in Oregon
*use Figure 6.3 and 6.4 to determine his income tax withholdings). He
worked 40 hours at his regular rate of $7.70 an hour and 6 overtime hours
last week. In addition to the required deductions, he had $22 for insurance,
$12 for union dues, and $10 for charitable contributions withheld from his
paycheck.
Problem 2 - Janette is a student with a baby-sitting service. She’s unsure
whether she needs to file a federal tax return on her income. She also wants
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to know how long she needs to keep tax-related records. Visit the sites listed
below and answer the following questions
Website: Internal Revenue
Service />Website:
Bankrate.com />Internal Revenue
Service />1. What types of income typically received by students may be taxable?
2. Does everyone file a 1040EZ?

3. Besides your actual tax returns, what tax records should you keep?
APA Guidelines and Academic Dishonesty Quiz – (not included in
gradebook)
The APA quiz consists of 15 multiple choice/true false questions. This is due
by Sunday evening, midnight of Week 1.

Week 2

Quiz #1 – 50 points
The Week 1 Quiz consists of 6 multiple choice questions worth 5 points
each and 2 short essays worth 10 points each.
Read Chapters 20, 8, and 9 in textbook.
Review materials in supporting lessons links.
Discussion Assignment #2 – 50 points
Respond to each of the questions below in your initial post no later than
Wednesday. Your initial response provided contains a minimum of 200
words. Two additional posts (100 word minimum) are required on separate
days and may respond to other students' responses or additional questions
posted. (Ex: Initial Post - Wednesday; Second post - Friday; Third post Sunday) Posts submitted after Sunday evening will not be graded.
1. Budgeting should begin early in your life. Discuss how your budget is
based on personal values and choices and modified when new "life events"
occur. Why do some individuals ignore planning and budgeting?
2. Checking accounts have many good features, such as overdraft
protection. List banking services that appeal to you and explain why these
services are important.
3. Discuss a contract that you have entered into and your obligations of the
contract. Was it an expressed or implied contract? Explain
Mini-Project Budget – 150 points
The Mini-Budget consists of four sections. Please use either the word
document or template attached to complete your Mini-Project Budget.

8


Section 1
Complete the Current Budget/Cash Flow Statement by collecting all source
documents for gathering your monthly income and expenses. Examples of
information include check registers, bank statements, pay stubs, pay
statements, child-support documents and other pertinent documents. Input
the source document and income in the worksheet. Gather source
documents for expenses including rental agreements, loan statements,
monthly billing statements, bank statements, check registers, cash receipts
and miscellaneous documents. Input the source document and expense in
the worksheet.
Section 2
Compile previous loan statements your have taken out to date. Find the
source document and total the loan balances. Document the interest rate.
Determine your schooling expense on an annual basis. Include tuition,
school fees, books, computers and additional items needed for your
education. Enter this information in the worksheet.
Section 3
Provide your anticipated monthly income by researching the pay rate for
your "future employment". Document this information in the source
document section and input data in the worksheet. Enter additional sources
of income in the worksheet. Provide anticipated monthly cash outflows. The
first expense to incorporate is your student loan obligation. Access the loan
calculator in Week 2 Additional Resources. Enter the estimate loan balance,
interest rate and payment schedule to determine your monthly loan
payment. Enter additional cash outflows.
Section 4
Summary of Results - In a 400 word essay, discuss the following:

1. Describe the results of your cash flow statement. Discuss income and
expense categories you have mastered and what you perceive are possible
areas of improvement.
2. Needs are defined as "air and water" but our society can make us believe
differently. How has society influenced your decision making? Does this
affect your choices in a positive or negative manner? How?
3. Do you formulate a plan for big purchases or events? How can the
decision-making process change your spending habits?
4. What aspect of financial planning is new to you? Explain.
5. What type of contracts do you plan to enter into in the next 5 years? How
will this affect your budget?

9


Criteria:
Complete all parts of the Budget worksheet.

Week 3

Quiz #2 – 50 points
The Week 2 Quiz consists of 6 multiple choice worth 5 points each and 2
short essays worth 10 points each.
Read Chapters 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 and from the textbook.
Review materials in supporting lesson links.
Discussion Assignment #3 – 50 points
Respond to each of the questions below in your initial post no later than
Wednesday. Your initial response provided contains a minimum of 200
words. Two additional posts (100 word minimum) are required on separate
days and may respond to other students' responses or additional questions

posted. (Ex: Initial Post - Wednesday; Second post - Friday; Third post Sunday) Posts submitted after Sunday evening will not be graded
1. The Federal Trade Commission estimates there are as many as 9 million
Americans that are subject to identify theft each year. Identify theft is on the
rise with the advancement of electronic media. Have you or anyone you
know ever been the victim of identity theft? Do an internet search of identity
theft stories. How did it happen? How do you protect yourself from identity
theft?
2. Credit cards, secured and unsecured loans and installment loans are
used for short-term and long-term financing. Without sharing personal or
confidential information, (no institution names please) discuss the types of
creditors you are currently dealing with and explain your responsibility
towards these creditors. How do you plan to fill your obligation?
3. Investments may take the form of savings, certificates of deposits, mutual
funds, stocks, bonds and retirement accounts. Identify criteria you have
used or plan to use to evaluate an investment. What criteria is most
important to you? Why?
Written Assignment #3 – 75 points
Problem 1
Objectives:
1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using credit.
2. Describe the responsibilities of consumer credit.
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Task: Respond to the following questions in a 300 word essay
1. Have you been in a situation where a credit card would have been very
useful? Describe what happened.
2. What procedures can you use to ensure that credit cards do not harm
your credit? Provide examples.
Context:

Some people believe that credit cards are evil—that they lead to
overspending, to debt problems, and to moral decline. But credit cards can
also mean the difference between having a good vacation and staying at
home. Consider the following:
1. In order to rent a car, you will need a credit card. The card must have a
limit high enough to allow for charges of $150 or greater. Most rental
companies will not accept cash or debit cards because they want assurance
that there is a source of payment if you incur other charges, such as by
keeping the car longer or by damaging it.
2. Motels and hotels usually also require a credit card. Once you have
checked out and are ready to leave, they may allow you to use a debit card
or cash, but in order to secure a reservation and in order to stay at the
facility, you will need a valid credit card with available credit for charging.
3. While on the road, you may also need a credit card to buy gasoline. Many
stations do not accept cash after dark. The only way to obtain self-service
gasoline may be to use your credit card at the pump. If you have an
emergency, such as needing a tow truck, the credit card provides a way to
pay for it on the spot. When you’re out of town, most merchants will not
accept checks, so the credit card allows you the instant ability to buy
necessities.
4. A credit card is a safer way to carry money when you travel. If the card is
lost or stolen, you can get it replaced and can get cash advances from the
card by calling the card issuer’s toll-free number. If your cash is stolen,
however, you cannot get it replaced.
5. If you are traveling in a foreign country, using your credit card will enable
you to get the up-to-the minute exchange rate, thus preventing merchants
from giving you less than your fair dollar’s worth. Both debit and credit cards
can be used to get foreign currency from ATM machines abroad as well, also
giving you the best exchange rate possible.
Problem 2

11


Objectives:
1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using credit.
2. Describe the concept of creditworthiness.
3. Describe the responsibilities of consumer credit.
Task: In a 300 word essay, respond to the questions below.
Context:
The wide use of credit can lead to abuses. Some people take out more
credit than they can repay and refuse to pay back what they have borrowed.
When merchants get stuck with unpaid balances, they pass along that cost
to other customers in the form of higher prices. Thus we all pay for people
who overuse credit.
Is it ethical for people to overextend their credit, knowing or suspecting that
they will not be able to repay it?
What can we all do to keep the cost of products and services at reasonable
levels?

Week 4

Quiz #3 – 50 points
The Week 3 Quiz consists of 6 multiple choice worth 5 points each and 2
short essays worth 10 points each.
Read Chapters 25, 26 and 27 from the textbook.
Review materials in supporting lessons links.
Discussion Assignment #4 – 50 points
Respond to each of the questions below in your initial post no later than
Wednesday. Your initial response provided contains a minimum of 200
words. Two additional posts (100 word minimum) are required on separate

days and may respond to other students' responses or additional questions
posted. (Ex: Initial Post - Wednesday; Second post - Friday; Third post Sunday) Posts submitted after Sunday evening will not be graded.
1. Everyone faces risks, but individuals react differently to them. Risk
management is used to protect your assets and income. Using the chart on
page 576, identify your most significant risks you potentially face and what
causes them. What steps have you taken or can you take to minimize these
risks?
2. A risk management plan uses a combination of techniques to lower overall
risks. Interview an individual that is at a "different stage of life" and ask them
for advice on a risk management plan. Discuss their recommendations.
Mini-Project Insurance Assessment – 150 points
1. Using material discussed in the book and additional resources on the
12


internet, explain the purpose of each of the following types of insurance:
(300 word minimum)
a. Homeowners’ insurance
b. Automobile insurance
c. Liability insurance
d. Health insurance
e. Disability insurance
f. Life insurance
2. Based on your current situation, discuss the insurance you currently
purchase and your specific needs for each insurance? (200 word
minimum)
A. Homeowners’ insurance
B. Automobile insurance
C. Liability insurance
D. Health Insurance

E. Disability insurance
F. Life insurance
3. How do you anticipate that your need for each of these insurance
coverages will change in the next five years? (200 word minimum)
A. Homeowners’ insurance
B. Automobile insurance
C. Liability insurance
D. Health Insurance
E. Disability insurance
F. Life insurance
4. List several guidelines for building a plan for purchasing all types of
insurance. (150 word minimum)
5. Compare term-life insurance with a whole-life policy. Provide the
advantages and disadvantages in each type of policy. ( provide one
reference in your response) (200 word minimum
Final Exam – 200 points
The final exam consists of 20 multiple choice worth 5 points each and 5
essay questions worth 20 points each.

13


Grade Summary

Points

Discussions

200

20%

Assignments

150

15%

Final Exam

200

20%

2 Mini-Projects

300

30%

Quizzes

150

15%

1000

100%

Totals

Weight

Grade Scale

A

93% - 100%

A-

90% - 92%

B+

87% - 89%

B

83% - 86%

BC+

80% - 82%

C

70% - 75%

D+

66% - 69%

D

60% - 65%

F
I

= < 59%
Incomplete

76% - 79%

14


Item
Percentage
Due Date
Meet & Greet
0%
Fill in specific date
Discussion 1
5%
Fill in specific date
Assignment 1
7.5%

Fill in specific date
Course Contract
0%
Fill in specific date
APA quiz
0%
Fill in specific date
Quiz #1
5%
Fill in specific date
Discussion 2
5%
Fill in specific date
Mini-Project 1
15%
Fill in specific date
Quiz #2
5%
Fill in specific date
Discussion 3
5%
Fill in specific date
Assignment #2
7.5%
Fill in specific date
Quiz #3
5%
Fill in specific date
Discussion 4
5%

Fill in specific date
Mini-Project 2
15%
Fill in specific date
Final Exam
20%
Fill in specific date
Total
100%
Note: Please make sure total above is 100%

15


Grading Rubric for All Written Assignments
A: Superior Work

Intro

◊
◊
◊

Body:
Organization

◊
◊
◊
◊

◊
◊

Deliberate, creates
interest
Gives title/author
if needed
Clear, concise and
specific thesis
statement

Organized
throughout
Logical, clear
sequence
Completely
supports thesis
Exhibits critical
thinking
Has consistent
transitions
Proper in-text
citations

B: Above average

◊
◊

◊

Body:
Mechanics

◊
◊

◊

◊

Adequately
introduces topic
Thesis statement
may be lacking
specificity.

◊

◊

◊
◊
◊

◊
◊
◊

Uses excellent

vocabulary well
Stays on
topic/meets
assignment
Correct
tense/point of
view

◊

Has sentence
variety
Correct
spelling/punctuati
on
Writes in
scholarly style

◊

◊

◊

◊
◊

Well organized
Easy to follow
Thesis could use

more support
(adequate but not
extended)
Majority of citations
are correct
Shows some
original thought
Has several
transitions
Majority of citations
are correct

◊

Attempts higher
level vocabulary
with some success
Stays on
topic/meets
assignment
Mostly correct
tense/point of view

◊

Sentences correct
but lacking in
variety
Few spelling errors
Writes in scholarly

style

◊

◊
◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

Conclusion

◊
◊

◊

Appearance

◊

Deliberate closing
strategy
Does not
introduce new
material
Paraphrases
thesis, but does
not merely repeat
introduction
Neat, properly

D: Below

F: Fails to

Average

meet
requirements
◊

◊

◊

Body: Fluency

C: Average

◊
◊
◊

◊

Adequate closing
Does not introduce
new material
Re-states thesis in
same words, but
does not completely
repeat introduction

◊

May have a few

◊

◊

◊

Intro is too
short – does
not
introduce
topic

Thesis
statement is
vagueshould be
more
narrow
Some org.
problems
Some gaps
in flow
Not enough
thesis
support
Shows little
original
thought
Some
transitions
but lacking
Citations
are both
correct and
incorrect
Both higher
and lower
vocabulary
Some
tense/point
of view
errors
Meets

assignment
mostly, but
occasionall
y strays off
topic
Some
sentence
fragments/r
un-ons/not
varied
Several
preventable
spelling
errors
Mix of
formal and
informal
writing
Weak
closing
Does not
introduce
new
material
Merely
repeats
introduction
Some

◊

◊

Some intro
component
s missing
Thesis
statement
is poor or
unidentifia
ble

◊

Difficult to
follow
May jump topics
Does not
prove/support
thesis
Citations
incorrect
Very few
transitions

◊

Vocabulary
is very
basic and

incorrect
Some
tense/pov
errors
Attempts
but does
not
succeed in
meting
assignment
Many
sentence
fragments/r
un-ons
Many
spelling
errors
Majority of
writing is
informal

◊

Weak
closing
Introduces
new
material
Does not
refer to

thesis

◊

Improper

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊

◊
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Thesis
missing
Introduction
does not
introduce
topic

No
sequence
Jumps
topics
frequently
No in-text
citations
No
transitions

Improper
word
choices
Many tense
and point of
view errors
Fails to
meet
assignment

Many
mechanical
errors of all
types
Writes
informally

No formal
closing
New
material
introduced
Does not
refer to
introduction
Improper

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formatted
References in
APA format

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formatting errors
References mostly
correct

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improper
formatting
References
incomplete
or
incorrectly
formatted

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format in
most
places
References
incomplete

and
incorrectly
formatted

◊

format
throughout
No
reference
page

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY:

Original Work, Cheating, Plagiarism, and Paraphrasing
The Herzing University Catalog addresses academic dishonesty in general in the “Student Conduct”
section of the University catalog. Original Work Cheating, Plagiarism, and Paraphrasing are
addressed in greater detail here.
When completing an assignment for a Herzing University course, students are expected to do original
work for the assignment and to not reuse work they may have done in previous courses or other settings
unless specific prior approval is granted by the instructor.
Cheating is defined as “the giving or receiving of aid (whether written, oral or otherwise) in order for a
student to receive undeserved credit on class work, homework, tests or any other assignment that is his or
her own responsibility.”
Plagiarism violates the central core of Herzing University’s educational philosophy. It involves stealing
another person’s work and claiming it as one’s own. It occurs whenever one directly copies another
person’s intellectual effort and integrates it into his/her class work without giving proper credit to the
author.
Paraphrasing is defined as "a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form”
(Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, 1996). When one paraphrases but intentionally omits

authorship of the work, this, too, is a serious violation of academic honesty.
All Herzing University students have an individual responsibility to understand what cheating, plagiarism,
and paraphrasing are. The student must also be aware that the consequences for cheating and plagiarism,
or for paraphrasing without proper attribution, are severe. Whenever you have doubt about what
constitutes cheating, plagiarism, or paraphrasing, contact your instructor. With the advent of the Internet,
the potential for cheating by simply cutting and pasting information into a paper is tempting. Be aware
that these dishonest activities will not be tolerated and instructors have access to increasingly
sophisticated search engines to “test” the validity of student work. Plagiarism, in particular, is easily
traced.

Consequences and Sanctions
Herzing University will, upon finding that a student has violated its policies on Academic Dishonesty,
enact the following:

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1. For the first offense the student may receive a zero on the assignment involved or a failing grade in the
course. The student will be required to repeat the entire course if completion of a failed course is needed
to graduate.
2. Upon a second offense, the student may be immediately and permanently expelled from the University.

Academic Appeal Process
The student is directed to the “Grievance/Complaint Procedure” and “Academic Appeal for Termination”
sections of the Herzing University Catalog for information for petitioning the University to reconsider its
action.
To avoid academic dishonesty, proper references to any text and outside resources are
ALWAYS required. You should also consult the following websites or APA reference manual to
comply with this requirement:
Electronic References: />OWL: />APA Tip Sheet: HC APA Tip Sheet.pdf

Reasons Why Sources Are Cited: Citing Sources.pdf
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) POLICY:
Herzing University is committed to addressing the needs of students who meet the criteria for special
accommodations. It is the University’s policy to comply fully with federal and state laws, including Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), regarding students with
disabilities. Information concerning the University’s policies and procedures related to a disability can be found in
the Student Handbook and Academic Catalog.
Contact the Online Campus Student Services Department for a copy of the "Request for Accommodation"
documents should you have a need.
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