MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct

MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct for Students

Explanation of MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct

Upon admission into the Master of Arts in Environmental Education program, students are expected to maintain academic integrity, professional conduct and ethical standards by adhering to the MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct and the University of New Hampshire Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities. A clear understanding of behavior standards that demonstrate a commitment to the dignity and worth of all people is essential.

Beyond mastering a body of knowledge, environmental educators must possess and demonstrate professional values, skills, and ethical principles. Every new student in the program is expected to thoroughly review the MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct either during their admission process or during their first semester on campus and upon review, to sign a statement agreeing to abide by the principles of this document. This statement is maintained in the student's file. A copy of this statement is contained in the MAEE handbook. Additional copies are available from the MAEE Graduate Assistant, the student's academic advisor, and/or the department administrative assistant, or you may download a copy here.

Note: A signed copy of the MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct must be filed with the Graduate Coordinator prior to the commencement of graduate study.

The UNH Student Rights, Rules and Responsibilities can be accessed electronically at: http://www.unh.edu/student/rights/. This document clearly outlines community behavioral expectations and students are responsible for knowing and adhering to its contents.

Behavioral violations of the Codes of Conduct contained in either of these two documents may be grounds for termination from the Master of Arts in Environmental Education program. Occasionally, students in the program do not meet or maintain appropriate levels of professional competence and ethical conduct. Whenever a faculty member becomes aware of such concerns, every effort is made to resolve the issue quickly and directly with the student. However, when informal discussion between faculty and student(s) is unproductive, faculty and/or field supervisors may recommend a student be excluded from the Master of Arts in Environmental Education program.

Criteria for exclusion from the program include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Failure to meet generally accepted standards of professional conduct, personal integrity, or emotional stability required for professional practice as outlined in the MAEE Ethical Code of Conduct and/or UNH Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities.
2. Persistent inappropriate or unprofessional behavior toward clients, colleagues, faculty, or staff (at school or field placement).
3. Consistent failure to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills necessary for professional helping relationships (e.g. persistent judgmental or discriminatory attitudes or violations of clients’ rights, etc)

The director of the Master of Arts in Environmental Education program reserves the right to refuse to place or direct students in field work if failure to meet any of the above standards deems such action warranted to safeguard clients, agencies, the students themselves, other students, or Department faculty or staff.

Process for Termination for Compelling Professional Behavior and Ethical Issues

Initially, it is the faculty advisor’s role to address issues related to the question of a students’ continuance in the MAEE program. This discussion may also include another faculty member within the department who may be currently teaching the student. It is expected that many concerns of this nature will be resolved informally within the student/faculty relationship. Faculty involved in such discussions should document their meetings with students about issues of professional behavior and ethical issues. This documentation must include the date of the meeting, the stated concern, the intervention, and accompanying plan for monitoring agreed upon changes.   If the behavior continues, the MAEE executive committee will convene to determine if the student should be dismissed from the MAEE program.

The student can appeal the decision to the formal departmental grievance process as outlined by the graduate school grievance process.