PA Student and Program Policies

Employment while in the PA Program

The PA program curriculum is time-intensive and concentrated. Students are strongly discouraged from employment during their term as PA students. Work hours must not conflict with classroom or clerkship obligations. Students are not required to work for the program. Opportunities to work for the School of Health Professions or the Institute of Anatomical Sciences as a graduate teaching assistant may be offered by application only.

PA Students must not substitute for or function as instructional faculty, clinical staff, or administrative staff during the program’s curriculum.

Community Service, Health Fairs, and Additional Shadowing Experiences

Outside of standard coursework, the program does not sanction or support students in providing medical care or health screenings as health care providers. Students must be supervised at all times and are only covered by liability insurance when completing defined course requirements.

Professionalism

As a PA student, you are expected to consistently demonstrate integrity, respect, accountability, and ethical behavior in all educational, clinical, and beyond settings. This includes maintaining professionalism in all interactions, whether inside or outside the classroom and clinical environments. Students in the MPAS program are held to the same professional expectations and standards of conduct as all PAs, outlined by AAPA and NCCPA.

Professionalism will be regularly assessed throughout the program and is critical to your development as a competent and compassionate clinician. Adherence to these standards ensures you are prepared to meet the demands of the PA profession with excellence and integrity.

General Attendance Requirements

Students must attend all scheduled classes and clinical rotations outlined in the SHP academic calendar and course syllabi. Attendance is mandatory for all sessions, including those scheduled outside the standard hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Students are expected to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of class or exams. By adhering to these policies, students demonstrate the professionalism and commitment required to succeed in the PA program.

Excused Absences

Emergency Absences

In an emergency, students must notify their advisor and course instructor via email or phone before class begins. Excused absences may be granted for personal illness or a crisis involving the student or their immediate family. Documentation is required for all emergency absences. A note from a licensed healthcare provider must support illness-related absences exceeding one day.

Non-Emergency Absences

Requests for non-emergency absences must be submitted to the academic advisor at least 30 days in advance. The request must detail the activities that will be missed and will be reviewed by the Student Progression Committee (SPC). Categories for non-emergency excused absences include:

1. Professional Meetings: Attendance at TAPA, AAPA, or similar CME conferences is allowed with prior approval, provided the student is in good academic standing with current grades >80%.
2. Religious Observance: Absences for religious holy days are allowed under HSC OP 77.12.
3. Wedding Attendance: One-day absences may be approved for immediate family weddings or if the student is part of the wedding party. Requests must include the student’s role, relationship to the couple, and wedding details.
4. Other: Additional requests may be considered at the discretion of the SPC.

Excessive or Unexcused Absences

Excessive excused or unexcused absences may result in referral to the SPC, a negative Professional Development Evaluation, or disciplinary action. Examples of unexcused absences include oversleeping, personal time conflicts, family reunions, vacations, or other social events.

Late Arrivals

Students arriving late must enter quietly through the door farthest from the podium and minimize disruption. Persistent tardiness or non-participation will be reflected in professionalism evaluations and may impact grades per course syllabus policies.

Personal Days (Didactic Year)

Each student is granted 2 personal days per didactic semester. Personal days are intended for discretionary use and do not require documentation, but students must notify their advisor by 8:00 am on the day of the absence.

Personal days may not be used on exam days, laboratory sessions, or special activities that the program cannot reschedule or make up. A student can choose to use a personal day during a class day that contains a quiz. If a student misses a quiz by using a personal day, they will receive a zero on the quiz, and no makeup options will be provided.

Students are responsible for obtaining missed content from classmates. No makeup opportunities will be provided by faculty for personal day absences.

If a student intends to use a personal day to miss only part of a class day, any missed class time or event will count as a full personal day deduction. Half or partial personal days cannot be carried forward for use on a separate day.

Total Absence Limit (Didactic Year)

Students may not exceed 4 total days of absence per didactic semester (including personal, emergency/risk, and planned non-emergency excused absences) without a formal review by the program director.

Personal Days (Clerkship Year)

Students may request up to two (2) personal days during the Clerkship Year. These must be approved by the faculty advisor at least 30 days in advance (exceptions may apply for fellowship interviews). Once approved, the student is to notify their preceptor of their approved personal day. Only one personal day is permitted per clerkship course. Personal days may include family events, job interviews, or personal obligations.

Absences on Test Days

Refer to the Testing Policy and Procedures section for additional guidelines.

Dress Code Policy

Students are expected to maintain neat, modest, and professional appearance at all times, reflecting the standards of the university and the PA profession. Personal grooming and hygiene are essential. Faculty and staff can enforce dress and grooming standards in classrooms, laboratories, and during public presentations.

Classroom and Lab Attire

Professional attire is mandatory in all academic settings to maintain a respectful and professional environment. The following are examples of unacceptable attire during class or lab:

1. Ragged, torn, or unkempt clothing.
2. Halter tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, or midriff-baring tops.
3. Short shorts or skirts.
4. Clothing with excessive rips or tears.
5. Athletic wear, including leggings, yoga pants, sweatpants, or warm-up pants.
6. Strong fragrances (e.g., perfume, cologne).

Note: At the instructor’s discretion, specific laboratory and workshop sessions may have additional attire requirements outlined in the course syllabus. Community Service Learning may require specific dress or clinical attire.

Clinical Attire (Clerkship Courses and OSCEs/Practical Exams)

Students must adhere to professional dress standards at clinical sites:

1. Business Casual with White Coat: Unless otherwise specified by the clinical site.
2. Scrub Attire: Permitted only in surgical, ER, or procedural settings.

Additional Guidelines for Clinical Attire

1. Clothing must allow unrestricted movement and should not be tight, short, or revealing.
2. Necklines must be modest, hemlines must reach the knee, and shoes must be closed-toe.
3. Jewelry should be minimal, piercings free of visible ornamentation, and tattoos must be covered.
4. Fragrances should be minimal to avoid discomfort for others.

OSHA Standards

For all classes involving lab or clinical performance and while on clinical rotations, students must wear attire consistent with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards if there is any risk of exposure to blood, bodily fluids, chemicals, or potentially harmful agents. Legs must be covered, and footwear must cover most of the foot (such as athletic shoes). Open-toed shoes may not be worn.

Dress Code for Examination

See Testing Policy and Procedure for specific information.

Special Exceptions

Specific events, VIP visits, or other times at the program may require students to wear business casual attire. The Program Director or Program Business Manager will notify students of this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Clinical and Community Service-Learning Professional Requirements

General Guidelines

Professionalism is essential during all clinical clerkship and community service-learning experiences. As representatives of the PA program, students are required to:

1. Arrive on time, prepared, and maintain a respectful and positive attitude.
2. Demonstrate professional behavior toward preceptors, healthcare professionals, patients, their families, and community members.
3. Recognize that preceptors, clinical staff, and community members voluntarily participate and support your education.

Patient Privacy and HIPAA Compliance

Students must strictly adhere to patient privacy laws and confidentiality standards during all clinical and community interactions. Discussion of patient or community member information, medical conditions, or personal matters outside appropriate settings or public spaces is strictly prohibited.

Failure to follow HIPAA regulations or maintain patient privacy during clinical or community service experiences may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program. Violations will be reviewed by Institutional Compliance and/or TTUHSC Code of Conduct procedures.