Our Academic Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence

For purpose of this policy, “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) refers to all forms of generative AI (including but not limited to Large Language Models or LLMs), that are presently or may become available on search engines or as standalone tools, as well as other computer-based intellectual and information-management aids capable of performing tasks that previously could be undertaken only with human intelligence, including research, analysis and writing. Tools or functionalities that merely provide spell-checking or grammatical edits, or which offer only technical suggestions to improve student writing, are not covered by this policy. 

• Using AI to generate unquoted text in assignments or papers, even when such text is “edited” by a student, does not demonstrate students’ own abilities and is not permitted in DSS courses.
  
  
• Using AI in DSS coursework to generate data or images–or to survey the information environment for relevant source material as an aid to student research–is permitted only if such use is acknowledged and is fully and clearly cited.
  
  Disclosure of permissible AI use should be clear to the reader and can take various forms, depending on the context. These could include footnotes directly associated with any specific ideas, passages, figures or tables generated or influenced by AI, and/or a general statement acknowledging AI’s role in the research design, data analysis or other activities associated with an assignment or paper. If any such AI-generated information is used, moreover, a student must be prepared to identify and defend–at the discretion of his or her professor or other DSS official–the specific AI prompts that were used to elicit the information in question and the specific AI tool or tools employed.
  
  Note: Acknowledging the use of AI does not eliminate the need also to identify, verify and cite the specific sources that an AI tool itself used to generate output used in an assignment or paper. Proper citations in academic work should always cite underlying sources and may not simply cite AI output itself. It is essential always to be able to demonstrate the specific provenance of information used. Academic citations (e.g., footnotes and endnotes) are meant to demonstrate such provenance, and students will need to demonstrate the origin of particular insights, factual claims or quotations (as applicable) in one or more specific antecedent source(s) (e.g., books, papers, articles, monographs or dissertations) that can actually be found or accessed by a reader.. Merely having gotten something from AI output is not sufficient; specific underlying sources must be shown and cited as specifically as possible (including to specific pages, if the source is paginated). This is not just proper academic practice, but also a critical safeguard against the dangers of AI hallucination.

• Use of AI to generate an assignment or paper is a violation of DSS policy and hence constitutes academic misconduct in this program, and use of AI to generate data or ideas without acknowledgement and citation constitutes plagiarism. Both are prohibited.
  
  Under Missouri State University and DSS policies, students determined to have committed academic misconduct or plagiarism will face significant consequences, potentially including failing grades in relevant assignments, courses and programs. Active duty servicemembers, in particular, should also be aware that such misconduct may have professional consequences for them beyond simply the confines of the DSS program.

• DSS faculty are authorized, and expected, to use AI detection software and other means to check for unacknowledged use of AI and for other violations of this policy. 
  
  If you are well-trained in its use and avoid using it improperly, AI can be a time-saving and effective research tool. Effective AI use, however, begins with your development of your own abilities, which is a core purpose of the DSS program. Avoiding prohibited AI use during your participation in DSS programs will make you better at research, critical thinking and analytical writing, as well as better at using AI effectively in the modern workplace outside of DSS. After all, only those who can think clearly and write with lucidity will be able to ask, elaborate upon and learn from the most effective AI prompts, police AI responses for hallucinations and grasp critical nuances overlooked by AI-generated summaries.
  
  Excessive or improper reliance on AI hinders the development of the essential skills necessary for success in our field. You will learn much more, become a better and more valued professional colleague and national security expert and achieve the full value of your degree if you (and not a machine) remain the true author of your work. 

Issued July 28, 2026.