• Table of Contents
• The Graduate School Handbook

• Graduate Education
• The Graduate School and the Administrative Board
• Graduate School Staff Directory
• Graduate Education References
• Graduate School Calendar

• General Academic Requirements and Regulations
• Admission and Matriculation
• Eligibility
• Course Credit
• Registration
• Residence Credit
• Graduate Grading
• Assistantships and Fellowships
• Tuition and Other Charges
• Graduation
• Medical or Personal Issues
• Withdrawal from the University
• Policies and Procedures
• Students as Faculty
• Certificate Programs
• Dual Degree Programs
• Generative AI Guidelines

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

Guidance on Generative AI Use

Following the guidance from UNC's Generative AI Committee, The Graduate School's Administrative Board encourages graduate programs to embrace the philosophy guiding the recommended language “that humans are responsible for the use of generative AI and that 'AI should help you think. Not think for you.'”

The Board maintains that generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be a productive tool and foster new directions and perspectives for the teaching and research environment in institutions of higher education. Users of generative AI, following University guidelines, should take full responsibility for their use of AI and any research that might result from the use of generative AI tools.

Specific to graduate education, the Board recognizes that embracing generative AI tools may have nuanced applications for graduate students, faculty advisors, and degree program administrators.

Student Generative AI Usage Guidance

• Individual graduate programs may establish guidelines specific to their thesis and comprehensive exams depending on their specific format.
• If generative AI use is encouraged in a program, guidance developed for the campus related to student use should also apply to graduate students in their own classes and research.
• Students should remember that they are always subject to the UNC Honor Code.

Teaching Generative AI Usage Guidance

• Guidance developed for the campus related to teaching use should also apply to instructors, including teaching assistants.
• Programs can encourage TAs to connect with supervising faculty to ensure any enrolled student usage complies with class guidelines and the supervisor supports the TA using AI in their own grading/teaching work.
• Graduate programs should share these resources and guidance with any graduate students serving as TAs.

Research Generative AI Usage Guidance

• Graduate student research is collaborative. Any use of AI for research and writing purposes should be discussed with supervisors, advisors, committee members, and any other associated individuals.
• Be aware that use of AI might lead to data leakage and proliferation, permanence, and widespread availability for unverified data.
• Suggestions for topics of discussion between students and advisors regarding use of AI:
  • Order of writing and editing and using these tools, and how to incorporate its use and permissions for publishing purposes.
  • Discussion of appropriate journal policies and granting agency policies relevant to the field of study regarding AI use and publication practices.
  • Discuss considerations and challenges for intellectual property (i.e., certain journals may disallow submission of material that has been previously submitted to AI sites as it may fall under the category of previously published in a public space).
  • Discuss methods/development of research design, drafts and writing generation and editing, analysis of data generated through AI, use of AI to develop any media associated with the work, or any presentation materials, including but not exhaustive to the following:
    • Citations and/or a statement disclosing specific uses of AI
    • Include appendix documenting any exchanges (input or output of materials, texts, or data) using AI
    • Including a methods section of final research/products explaining the use of AI and its impact on research/products

Admissions Generative AI Usage Guidance

• Admissions instructions should include a statement that outlines AI use for application essays specific to the discipline.
  • Recommendation for language: “The starting point for writing personal statements and admissions essays should be applicant-generated. While the use of AI may be useful for structuring and editing writing, it should primarily be the voice of the applicant. Any use of AI must be cited clearly.”
• If relevant, graduate programs should remember to update admissions and recruitment materials/websites. Consider language about how the program's discipline will evaluate AI use, if appropriate.
• Programs should consider if AI can aid in evaluation rubric development and application.