School of Medicine & Public Health – Health Professions Programs (Non-M.D.) Professionalism and Misconduct

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Policy Number:
SMPH-8070
Old Policy Number:
80.70
Responsible Office:
SMPH Office of Academic Affairs

School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Health professions program students are expected to make good judgments and ethical decisions in academic and professional environments. This policy and related guidelines establish the expectations of all health professions program students, as well as the potential repercussions in the event of an infraction.

Definitions:
Health professions program (non-M.D.)
Any of the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Genetic Counselor Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Public Health programs.
Training Site
The separate entity hosting students for clinical rotations pursuant to an affiliation agreement, such as health systems, hospitals, clinics, and care facilities.
Policy:
  1. The health professions programs expect the highest level of academic integrity and professional, ethical, and respectful conduct in all interactions. Students should conduct themselves according to the standards expected of members of the health profession to which they aspire.
  2. All health professions program students are subject to the rules and regulations contained in Wis. Admin. Code UWS §§ 14, 17, and 18, which govern student academic and non-academic conduct and disciplinary procedures, and to all other applicable state and federal laws, as well as any program or training site-specific policies.
  3. Students should avoid even an appearance of improper behavior or lack of ethical standards in their role as health professions students, in all professional settings, and in their personal lives.
  4. Students may be disciplined or dismissed from their program for misconduct or disregard for professional conduct expectations, regardless of their academic standing.
  5. In addition to program-level penalties for misconduct or lack of professionalism, a student may face UW disciplinary action for the same offense as noted in Wis. Admin. Code UWS §§ 14, 17, and 18, including probation, suspension, or expulsion.
  6. Students are responsible for reading the information here as well as the information published on all the relevant websites. Lack of knowledge of this information does not excuse any infraction.
  7. Information about professionalism and academic and non-academic misconduct will be included in each health professions program’s student handbook.
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Office of Student Assistance and Support:

Health Profession Programs (non-M.D.) Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct Guidelines

Health Profession Programs (non-M.D.) Professional Behavior Code

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards:

External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health
Policy Manager:
SMPH Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Contact:
Director of Education Accreditation and Compliance -- Megan Heneke, megan.heneke@wisc.edu, (608) 265-4811
Effective Date:
05-01-2017
Date Issued:
05-01-2017
Revised Dates:

04-27-2023, 05-01-2020

Retrieved:
05-17-2025 07:21:16