Academic institutions take plagiarism very seriously, and the potential consequences can vary significantly depending on the severity of the offense. Understanding these potential repercussions is essential for students to maintain integrity throughout their studies.
| Level of Plagiarism | Examples | Likely Consequences |
| Mild | – Source cited in text but left out of reference list – Quotation marks omitted around a quote | – Grade penalty or automatic zero |
| Moderate | – Text copied from a source with a few words changed – Source paraphrased without citation | – Failing grade on course |
| Severe | – Patchwork of different texts passed off as original – Paper written by someone else | – Academic probation or expulsion |
Plagiarism can also have serious ramifications in high school and during the college application process. Many secondary schools utilize plagiarism detection software and treat these violations as harshly as universities. Admissions officers are likely to disregard an application entirely if they discover any instances of plagiarism.
The consequences become more severe as the level of plagiarism increases. Mild infractions, such as forgetting to include a citation, may only result in a grade penalty or an automatic zero on the assignment. However, more substantial acts of plagiarism, like copying text with minor changes or paraphrasing without attribution, can lead to a failing grade for the entire course.
The most severe forms of plagiarism, such as submitting a paper written by someone else or creating a patchwork of copied material, are considered academic fraud. These incidents will likely prompt disciplinary action, such as academic probation or expulsion from the institution. Colleges view these violations as egregious breaches of their honor codes and academic integrity standards.
What Colleges Say About the Consequences of Plagiarism
Colleges and universities clearly state that plagiarism is a serious academic offense with significant consequences, even if committed unintentionally. An institution’s plagiarism policy is typically outlined in student handbooks, honor codes, and codes of conduct. If students are unsure about the details, they should consult with their instructors.
To illustrate the gravity with which academic institutions view plagiarism, here are some examples from different colleges and universities:
American University:
“Academic Integrity Code violations are treated very seriously. The misperceived short-term gain from these acts is not worth the long-term consequences of the penalty. Sanctions for code violations include loss of credit for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, a permanent notation on the transcript, and dismissal from the university. Second offenses will result in suspension or dismissal from the university.”
University of Calgary:
“Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense. Penalties can include a failing grade on an assignment, a failing grade in a course, suspension or expulsion from the University.”
University of Michigan:
“The University takes violations of academic integrity very seriously. Sanctions for plagiarism can include a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in the course, suspension, or even expulsion from the University.”
Cerro Coso Community College:
“Plagiarism can result in a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in the course, and/or disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion from the college.”
The consistent message from these institutions is clear – plagiarism, whether intentional or not, is an unacceptable breach of academic integrity that carries severe consequences. Understanding the potential penalties underscores the importance of students developing proper research and citation skills to maintain honesty throughout their academic careers.
Why is Plagiarism So Serious?
You might wonder why universities and other organizations impose such serious consequences for plagiarism, even when it’s accidental. Plagiarism amounts to theft, and there are good reasons for institutions (and for you!) to take it seriously. Plagiarism:
- Is dishonest: When done deliberately, plagiarism indicates that the person responsible is not honest about their work, which is a problem in any context.
- Harms the person you’re plagiarizing: It’s easy to see why you wouldn’t want your writing stolen and passed off as someone else’s—especially in publishing.
- Hinders the learning process: If you’re stealing words and ideas from others, your own creativity is not being tested, and you’re not learning.
- Obscures the sources of ideas: All academic writing builds on the ideas of others, and it’s important that the reader can clearly trace where those ideas came from.
- Results in bad writing: Whatever the quality of the text(s) you’re plagiarizing, a paper made up of a patchwork of different unacknowledged sources is usually a mess.