What is the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Course?

As a new graduate student at WMU, you are required to complete the RCR course. While there are no fees or credit hours earned for this course, this is a university-wide requirement for all graduate programs. Make sure to complete this course before the outlined deadlines to avoid any holds being placed on your account!

 

Wan't to learn more?

Listen to Brittney, a previous graduate student, explain a little more about the RCR course along with tips and tricks for how to successfully pass.

Video of RCR 2023 -24

Still have questions?

  • RCR course details

    The RCR course is mandatory for all graduate students to comply with requirements from national funding agencies and ensures that you are working to the highest possible standards of integrity. It provides real-life scenarios and guidance on how to deal with issues involving planning, conducting, and reporting research. This course explains national expectations for higher education and post-graduate careers and will assist you in becoming an accomplished ethical scholar, researcher, and professional. 

    Please note: Additional CITI training may be required for human and animal subjects by the WMU Office of the Vice President for Research for some graduate programs.

     

  • Who completes the RCR?

    The RCR is required if you: 

    • Are new to WMU as a graduate student
    • Are enrolled in a new graduate program/degree
    • Have never completed the RCR course before

    The course is not required if you:

    • Are enrolled in a graduate certificate program
    • Were "non-active" prior to Fall 2016 an have "re-activated" in the same program/degree since

    If you believe you have been enrolled in this course in error, have already completed this course, have changed your term of admission, or want more clarification of the requirements, please contact us at grad-rcr@wmich.edu.

     

  • Deadlines

    Remember to complete this course by the designated deadline. Holds will be placed on your account if you do not complete the RCR course by the deadline, restricting you from registering for future classes. Any hold related to the RCR course will be lifted when the course is completed successfully! 

    Check out the below deadlines: 

    • Fall 2023 admitted students: December 16, 2023
    • Spring 2024 admitted students: April 27, 2024
    • Summer I 2024 admitted students: June 26, 2024
    • Summer II 2024 admitted students: August 16, 2024
  • Modules, tips, & tricks

    Make sure to start the RCR course as soon as possible so that you have adequate time to complete it before the deadline!

    • The course should take around 1 to 2 hours to complete
    • Each module includes a short quiz in which you need a passing score (at least 70%) to continue
    • Helpful tip: take notes as you read course content and use your notes when taking the quizzes
    • Upon completion, students will receive a digital certificate

    Required modules include an introduction to RCR, authorship, collaborative research, conflicts of interest, data management, mentoring, peer review, plagiarism, and research misconduct.

     

  • How to access?

    During your first semester, you are automatically enrolled in the course via Elearning where further instructions are available. You can also access the RCR course directly through the CITI program. 

    Instructions to access the course:

    If you are accessing the course through Elearning, follow the below steps: 

    • Login to Elearning with you Bronco NetID and password
    • Click the "Rubik's Cube" icon at the top of the homepage and click "RCR" to access the course

    • Click "content" for instructions on how to create a CITI count