Policy
Student Academic Professional Standards are a set of principles reflecting the ethical foundation of health professions practice. The student must strive toward unquestionable integrity in all professional relations. In order to pursue this goal, students should demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. The following Student Academic Professional Standards should be utilized as a guide toward these future goals. Programs in the College of Health Professions may have additional and/or more extensive student academic professional behavior expectations; however, College of Health Professions program policies do not override college or university policies.
Student Academic Professional Standards are categorized as academic requirements by the college. The following are representative of the responsibilities of all students enrolled in the College of Health Professions:
Attentiveness
The student regularly attends class. All extended absences are for relevant and serious reasons and approved, where applicable, by the appropriate authority. The student is consistently on time for class, labs, and clinics and stays until the end of the time period. The student is alert during classes and demonstrates attentiveness by taking notes and asking appropriate questions
Authority
The student shows appropriate respect for those placed in authority over them both within the university and in society.
Communication
The student demonstrates the ability to communicate professionally and effectively verbally, nonverbally and in writing with peers, faculty, patients and others.
Confidentiality
The student exhibits respect for privacy of all patients and patients’ family members. The student demonstrates restraint when utilizing social media (X, Facebook, Instagram or other social media sites) and, at no time, communicates information that could lead to exposure of patient identity. The student is aware that specific patient data discussed in a specified time frame may be sufficient information to identify a patient. The student follows all directives of the UAMS Social Media Policy (UAMS Academic Affairs Policy 2.1.1).
Cooperation
The student demonstrates an ability to work effectively in large and small groups and with other members of the health care team, giving and accepting freely in the interchange of information.
Demeanor
The student has a positive, open attitude towards peers, faculty and others during their course of studies. The student maintains a professional bearing in interpersonal relations. The student functions in a supportive and constructive fashion in group situations and makes good use of feedback and evaluations.
Ethics
Students are expected to adhere to the specific code of ethics relevant to their field of study.
Inquisitiveness
The student acquires interest in all courses and curricular subjects, demonstrating individual pursuit of further knowledge.
Judgment
The student shows an ability to think critically regarding options, reflecting an ability to make intelligent decisions in their personal and academic life.
Maturity
The student functions as a responsible, ethical, law-abiding adult.
Personal Appearance
The student’s personal hygiene and dress reflect the standards expected of a professional health care provider.
Professional Role
The student conducts self as a professional role model at all times and in compliance with rules and regulations regarding professional conduct of the specific health profession in which one is enrolled. The student demonstrates the personal, intellectual and motivational qualifications of a professional healthcare provider.
Professionalism
There are core values of professionalism that are universal and apply to those in health care professions and in education. These include, but are not limited to, moral values such as honesty, integrity and trustworthiness; values that are specific to one’s profession (e.g., confidentiality), to society (e.g., commitment to excellence), to oneself (e.g., self-reflection) and to humanistic values such as empathy and compassion.
All students in the College of Health Professions are expected to demonstrate high standards of professional behavior in all educational settings, including classrooms and laboratories, professional and clinical sites and in non-educational settings. Examples of such behavior include, but are not limited to: honesty and integrity, trustworthiness, effective communication, punctuality, professional behavior, ethical standards, social contracts; negotiation, compromise, and conflict resolution; lifelong improvement and professional competence; time management and decision-making; appearance.
Responsibility
Students must prioritize their academic and clinical responsibilities in their health professions program, demonstrating reliability and trustworthiness in all interactions with peers and faculty.
Failure to Comply with this Policy
Students who fail to comply with the requirements of any of the Student Academic Professional Standards will be subjected to disciplinary action. Programs have the authority to determine sanctions based upon their policies and procedures. In cases where a sanction of program dismissal is being considered, the chair or program director should contact the College of Health Professions associate dean for academic affairs. The ADAA will work with the program to determine if the issue is classified as: 1) an academic violation or 2) if it falls into the category of prohibited conduct as outlined in the UAMS Student Code of Conduct Policy, 2.2.14. Academic violations will be addressed according to departmental and/or college policies. Violations of the UAMS Student Code of Conduct will follow the processes outlined in UAMS Policy 2.2.14.
Approval
Information about the original approval of this policy is not available.
Revision Dates
- July 7, 2016
- June 2020
- Jan. 11, 2024