Graduate Student Policy
Satisfactory Progress
According to GSAS policy, students are considered making satisfactory progress if they:
- complete expected requirements
- achieve a minimum grade-point average of B (3.0).
Further definitions for GSAS satisfactory progress can be found beginning on page 3 of the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Handbook and are enforced in the tracking of program-based requirements designed to meet the overall expectations of GSAS. If a student is determined to be making unsatisfactory academic progress during any term, the situation will be handled through a program academic review process including grace status.
Grace Status
A student making unsatisfactory progress may, with departmental endorsement, be granted the status of “grace” for up to one academic year. Please review the GSAS Student Handbook page 3 for more details on Grace Status.
Use of Generative AI
Harvard University defines and provides resources related to generative AI on the HUIT website. Students are expected to follow University guidance on AI and local policies specified by their graduate program.
Harvard Griffin GSAS students are expected to follow these policies:
- Unless a department or advisor explicitly authorizes in writing the use of generative AI tools, it is assumed to be prohibited for a student’s academic work.
- The student remains responsible for the accuracy of the entirety of their academic work, including the dissertation. For example, “AI hallucination” is not an excuse for factual errors or fake citations.
- A PhD dissertation must be an original contribution to the field and must reflect the student’s independent judgement and technical mastery. If generative AI usage is allowed but reaches a level that obscures the student’s own intellectual contribution, the activity may be grounds for failure and/or may lead to disciplinary action by the Administrative Board, regardless of disclosure.
BBS has these additional AI policies:
PQE and DAC
- Certain limited uses of digital tools are typically acceptable. Basic spell-check and grammar-check features embedded in standard word-processing software, as well as non-generative reference management tools used to format citations and bibliographies, are generally permitted.
- If any form of AI (or LLM) is used in your work, you are required to acknowledge which tool was used and how it was applied.
- It is expected that you will submitting original work and your own intellectual contribution.
BBS has implemented an AI attestation form to be co-signed by the student and their advisor. This agreement will be renewed annually and indicate whether the student and advisor consent to the use of any AI tools and for which specific aspects of their research, data security, and original work product.