The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is an essential component of the education and training of researchers. As a premier technological university at the cutting edge of education, research, and innovation, the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is committed to providing leadership in the realm of ethics and RCR. RCR education is central to Georgia Tech’s mission to ensure that Master’s thesis students and other researchers are prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct themselves professionally and with integrity.
The RCR Academic Policy for Master’s Thesis Students applies to all students who are pursuing a Master’s thesis. As part of their degree requirements, Master’s thesis students must successfully complete at least one of the following options:
- First Option - Online RCR training from the Georgia Tech approved vendor (http://rcr.gatech.edu/online-training).
- Second Option - An RCR course for doctoral students (http://rcr.gatech.edu/doctoral-courses).
- Third Option - An RCR course for Master's students (http://rcr.gatech.edu/masters-courses).
The RCR Master’s thesis degree requirement must be completed prior to submitting the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form to the Office of Graduate Education.
The RCR Academic Policy for Master’s Thesis Students applies to all students who are pursuing a Master’s thesis. This Policy does not affect undergraduates, doctoral students, or postdoctoral researchers.
Master’s thesis students may need to complete additional RCR training if they receive funding from certain sponsors. For more information refer to the RCR Compliance Policy: https://policylibrary.gatech.edu/research/responsible-conduct-researchcompliance-policy
Notification of the Requirement
Master’s thesis students will be informed of the RCR requirement described in this Policy when they enroll in 7000 thesis hours. The RCR requirement must be completed prior to submitting the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form to the Office of Graduate Education.
Documenting RCR Training Completion
The Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic must indicate the type of RCR training option that the student has been completed when it is submitted to the Office of Graduate Education.
Verification of RCR Training Completion
The Office of Graduate Education will verify completion of the RCR training when it examines the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form.
Master’s Programs
Each Master’s program should inform its thesis students about this Policy and whether it has any program specific rules about RCR education. Programs who want to create a Master’s level RCR course should refer to: https://rcr.gatech.edu/masters-courses.
Master’s Thesis Students
The RCR degree requirement for Master’s thesis students must be completed prior to submitting the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form to the Office of Graduate Education. The Thesis Topic form must indicate the type of RCR training option that the student has been completed. Master’s thesis students can check their RCR completion status in DegreeWorks.
The Office of Graduate Education
The Office of Graduate Education will verify that the RCR degree requirement for a Master’s thesis student has been completed prior to processing the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form.
The RCR Program
The RCR Program Administrator will inform Master’s thesis students of the RCR degree requirement when they enroll in 7000 thesis hours. The RCR Program Administrator, in conjunction with the Office of Graduate Education and the Office of the Registrar, will monitor student adherence to this Policy.
Failure to complete the Master’s thesis RCR degree requirement will result in the denial of the Request for Approval of Master’s Thesis Topic form, and the form being returned to the student’s home department. An RCR completion deficiency will be indicated in DegreeWorks.
| Revision Date | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education | Updates were made to policy organization and procedures were removed |
| May 2019 | Graduate Studies | Policy updated with revisions |