As with all educational programs sponsored by Brigham Young University, students enrolled in BYU Independent Study courses are expected to demonstrate a high sense of personal honor, integrity, and courtesy in all coursework and examinations, as well as all interactions with students, teachers, and program staff.

Academic Dishonesty

Students must avoid every form of academic dishonesty and misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, and cheating on examinations or assignments. Students commit themselves to academic work of integrity—that is, work that is their own, work that adheres to the scholarly and intellectual standards of accurate attribution of sources, and work that appropriately and accurately portrays research and data.

“Plagiarism” is a form of intellectual theft involving the unauthorized use or close imitation of the words, ideas, or data of another as one’s own without providing proper attribution to the author through quotation, reference, or footnote. Plagiarism may occur with respect to unpublished as well as published material. Copying another student’s work and submitting it as one’s own individual work without proper attribution is a serious form of plagiarism. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to the following:

• Direct plagiarism: Verbatim copying of an original source without acknowledging the source
• Paraphrased plagiarism: Paraphrasing, without acknowledgment, of ideas from another that the reader might mistake for the author’s own
• Plagiarism mosaic: Borrowing of words, ideas, or data from an original source and blending this original material with one’s own without acknowledging the source
• Insufficient acknowledgment: Partial or incomplete attribution of words, ideas, or data from an original source
• Attributing someone else's work as your own, regardless of whether it was created by a human or an artificial intelligence, is considered plagiarism and constitutes a breach of academic honesty

“Cheating” is a form of dishonesty where a student attempts to give the appearance of knowledge or skill that the student has not fairly obtained. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to the following:

• copying from another person’s work during an examination or while completing an assignment
• allowing someone to copy from you during an examination or while completing an assignment
• using unauthorized materials during an examination or while completing an assignment
• collaborating on an examination or assignment without authorization to do so
• taking an examination or completing an assignment for another, or permitting another to take an examination or to complete an assignment in your place.

“Fabrication or falsification” is a form of academic dishonesty where a student invents or distorts the origin or content of information used as authority. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

• citing a source that does not exist
• attributing to a source ideas and information that are not included in the source
• citing a source for a proposition that it does not support
• citing a source in a bibliography when the source was neither consulted nor cited in the body of the paper
• distorting the meaning or applicability of data
• inventing data or statistical results to support conclusions

Other Student Misconduct

Students must at all times be respectful and courteous in interactions with instructors, staff, and other students. It is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct to interact with others in a way that is dishonest, profane, or unduly disrespectful.

Disciplinary Action

When BYU Independent Study reasonably suspects that a student may have engaged in any violation of this Student Code of Conduct, the student will be given notice of the allegations and a fair opportunity to respond. Upon review of the available information, including the student’s response, BYU Independent Study will conclude, based on a preponderance of the evidence (i.e., whether it was more likely than not), whether the student engaged in the misconduct.

When a student is found to have violated this Student Code of Conduct, BYU Independent Study will use its discretion in appropriately addressing the situation and may impose a wide range of disciplinary actions commensurate with the violation found to have occurred. Examples of possible disciplinary actions include but are not limited to the following (or any combination thereof):

• reprimanding the student in writing
• requiring work affected by the academic dishonesty to be redone
• administering a lower or failing grade on the affected assignment or examination
• administering a lower or failing grade for the course (even if the student withdraws from the course)
• removing the student from the course
• rescinding the grade of the affected assignment or course
• prohibiting re-enrollment in the course
• prohibiting participation in any additional BYU Independent Study courses

Students may appeal disciplinary action through the process set forth in the Academic Grievance policy.

Generally, courses that are failed may be repeated to earn credit. The student’s permanent record will show an “E” or an "F" grade for failed courses. A repeated course will not replace the original grade on the transcript.

Final Exam Retakes

Depending on the policies of each individual course, students may be allowed one retake of a final exam. If a student chooses to retake the final exam, she or he must request to retake the failed final before the enrollment expiration date; otherwise, the initial failing grade is posted to the permanent record. Once the retake exam has been graded, the higher of the two final exam grades will be used to calculate the overall course grade.

Students wanting to retake the final exam, but who fail to make the request before the enrollment expiration date, will need to register for the course a second time. The result is that the same course will be listed on their permanent record twice, along with the respective grades.

Students can withdraw at any time unless they have requested the final exam or completed the course. You can withdraw from your course by (1) logging in at is.byu.edu, (2) selecting your course from the list of your current registrations, and (3) selecting Withdraw under Edit Enrollment. You may also call Registration at 801-422-8925. Refunds or vouchers are granted based on the following timeframes:

• 0–14 calendar days after registration date: full refund with no processing fee
• 15–60 calendar days after the registration date: full refund minus $30 withdrawal processing fee
• 61–90 calendar days after registration date: a voucher minus a $30 withdrawal processing fee (which must be applied to a new enrollment within 90 days from original registration date)
• 91+ days after registration: no refund, no voucher

Please note (as stated above) that if you withdraw from a course within 90 days of your registration date, but after 60 days from your registration, you will receive a voucher for financial credit with BYU Independent Study, minus the withdrawal processing fee. This voucher must be used within 90 days of your registration date, and no withdrawal terms are available for a course purchased with a voucher. After 90 days, you may still withdraw, but no refunds or financial credit will be granted.

For Purchase Order Customers:

• Your request will be processed, with the refund based on the date we receive your request.
• If the withdrawal is processed within 14 days of enrollment—full refund.
• If the withdrawal is processed 15 to 90 days after enrollment—refund credited to your account, minus $30 student management fee.
• If the withdrawal is processed 91 or more days after enrollment—no refund.
• Once a final exam has been requested the course cannot be withdrawn.

BYU’s Global Privacy Notice details how BYU collects, uses, and shares personal information from students and participants in its programs and activities.

In keeping with BYU’s Global Privacy Notice and applicable laws, BYU Independent Study has adopted the following procedures to ensure the privacy of its students’ education records.

FERPA and access to education records: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that BYU Independent Study protect the privacy of student education records. Generally, before personally identifiable student information can be released, (1) the identity of the student must be verified; for third-party requests (e.g., from a parent or school counselor), the requester must also (2) verify his or her identity and relationship to that student, and (3) either have been granted guest access to records on the student’s FERPA permissions form or fall within the category of individuals for whom student permission is not required.

Transfer of FERPA rights: When the student is 18 years old, or enters postsecondary study at any age, the rights to the student’s education records under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student. If the student is enrolled in BYU Independent Study’s non-university-level courses and is at least 18 years old or is enrolled in BYU Independent Study’s university courses, regardless of age, education records will not be released to anyone other than the student and any school in which the student is currently enrolled or seeking to enroll. Access to the student’s education records may be granted to a third party if the student provides signed permission granting a specified person rights to access his or her records. Complete a FERPA permission request.

Tax dependency: If the parent of a student who has turned 18 or enrolled in a university course can provide tax documentation that the student was claimed as a dependent in the previous income tax year, the parent may have access to the student’s educational records. In addition to the FERPA permissions form, proof of tax dependency must be provided each time information is requested from the student’s education records.

Sharing education records with other educational institutions: Under FERPA, BYU Independent Study may share a student’s education records with other educational institutions in which the student is concurrently enrolled or to which the student may be seeking to enroll. For example, if you are a high school student and have supplied your high school’s name, BYU may inform your high school of your course activity and grades. Officials of other educational institutions will typically be required to register for a verified Counselor Portal account in order to access such records or information. Students may request and obtain from BYU Independent Study a copy of any records shared with another educational institution.

Net ID and password: In addition to FERPA, other laws and regulations require that the BYU Independent Study protect sensitive personal information and financial records. BYU Independent Study’s systems require individuals to log in using a secure Network Identification (Net ID) and password. Sharing of Net IDs and passwords with third parties is strictly prohibited because it violates confidentiality and degrades the ability of BYU Independent Study to protect secure information. A student who shares his or her Net ID and password may be subject to discipline per the BYU Independent Study Student Code of Conduct. All students (or their parent/legal guardian for youth registrations) are required to individually log in so personal, financial, and education information remains secure and protected.

Follow the instructions below to petition for an exception to a BYU Independent Study policy.*

1. Fill out and sign the Petition Form.
2. Submit all required information. If the petition is related to medical, clinical, or personal situations, supporting information from doctors, counselors, or other professionals should be submitted with the Petition Form.
3. The written statement should explain the circumstances, the time frame in which they occurred, and how they prevented the student from complying with BYU Independent Study policies.
   • If the petition is for an extension of time, please include a specific plan for completion, including dates. Please be aware that additional time does not typically exceed 1–2 months from the current course expiration date.
   • All information about the circumstances and the reasons for the petition should be contained in the student’s written statement.
   • Handwritten statements should be written legibly and should be easy to understand. Students may attach typewritten statements to the Petition Form.

How Decisions Are Made

All petitions are reviewed by the Petitions Committee within 10–14 business days after submission by the student. It is the mission of this committee to try to balance the needs of BYU Independent Study with the needs of the student. Students are notified of committee decisions in an email to the address provided by the student on the Petition Form. Students are accountable for complying with all policies contained on the BYU Independent Study website and within their course.

*Please note: A petition is not the same as a request for accommodations, which should be submitted via the Accessibility and Accommodations page.

BYU Independent Study involves online interactions with minor participants (under the age of 18). We take measures to help ensure that these online interactions are safe for minor participants and program staff. The following policies apply to the online interactions below.

1. Parents/guardians are invited to attend any online interactions with their minor participant. This includes being present during their student’s proctored exams. If a parent elects to observe the exam, they must remain quiet and offer no assistance during the exam.
2. Participants (and their parents/guardians) must comply with the following rules for online interactions, or they may be removed from the online interaction and possibly the program:
   • Follow the direction of the program staff managing the online interaction.
   • Dress fully in appropriate attire that is neat and modest. (For example, clothing that does not cover the stomach or shoulders, or that is low-cut in the front or the back, is not appropriate).
   • Refrain from any communication (whether verbal or visual) that is graphic, profane, or disrespectful to anyone. (Any form of harassment or bullying is strictly prohibited.)
   • Ensure that surroundings visible to others are appropriate and free from any improper images or private information.
3. Online interactions may be recorded and saved for quality assurance in a secure manner that protects the privacy of the participants. Recordings are not used for any other purpose without express permission from the participant’s parent/guardian.
4. Each one-on-one online interaction is subject to randomized monitoring by supervisors of Independent Study.

Any questions regarding online interactions may be directed to Customer Support.

We are committed to providing products and services free from unlawful discrimination. Unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age (40 and older), veteran status, genetic information, and/or disability will not be tolerated.

Independent Study High School

BYU Independent Study high school courses are NCAA-approved. They are comparable to traditional classroom courses in their length, content, and rigor, and they prepare students for academic work at a four-year college or university. Students in these courses also benefit from interaction with teachers, teaching assistants, tutors, advisors, and other support staff as part of this nontraditional educational experience. Credits earned through BYU Independent Study transfer and appear on the student’s school transcript(s).

Independent Study University

College athletes and prospective college athletes, including those from schools other than BYU, may enroll in BYU Independent Study university-level courses. BYU does not determine or guarantee whether any BYU Independent Study university course (i) will be accepted for transfer credit by another institution, or (ii) will satisfy NCAA, conference, or institutional eligibility requirements (including, as applicable, progress-toward-degree, full-time enrollment, or other continuing-eligibility standards). Student-athletes are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable rules and should consult their institution’s athletics compliance office (and other relevant academic offices) before enrolling.

Questions? Please call Customer Support at 1-800-914-8931.

If the course includes paper exams, a purchased readings packet, or other course materials, they will be shipped to the address listed in the student’s account unless otherwise specified at the time of enrollment. BYU Independent Study is not responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail. Materials may be replaced at the student’s expense. See Tuition and Fees for more information.

Students have 12 months to complete a course. Because a majority of BYU Independent Study courses are asynchronous, the speed with which a student moves through the material is entirely dependent upon the student’s ability to master the content. Generally, a student needs at least eight weeks to successfully complete a course. See Granting of Credit for more information.