Professional Citations and Probation

Professional Citations and Probation

Over the course of Program progression, a student may not meet the professional standards of the program resulting from violations with professionalism involving the code of conduct, e-professionalism, academic integrity, attendance, professional attire, and/or other non-academic areas.

The Didactic or Clinical Education Director, the Assistant Program Director, and the student’s faculty advisor routinely monitor student professionalism. Should a student not meet standards set for professionalism, the following will occur:

  • The student will be issued a warning for the incident by the Program Faculty, DED, CED, Assistant Program Director, or Program Director.
  • The warning will be placed in the student’s file in the Program.
  • If the student continues with the same or similar unprofessional behavior the Program Faculty, DED, CED, Assistant Program Director or Program Director will refer the student to the PPC and issue a professional citation using the Unprofessional Citation Form.
  • The PPC will meet with the student and provide recommendations regarding the student’s professional status, including:
    • Notifying student of professional citation
    • Warning of potential professional probation
    • Identifying areas for improvement with professionalism
    • Resources or tips for improvement
  • If the student continues to violate the professionalism policy and has subsequent similar or same professional infractions the student, Program Faculty, DED, CED, Assistant Program Director, or Program Director will refer the student to the PPC for recommendation for professional probation.
  • The PPC will meet with the student and provide recommendations regarding the student’s professional status, including:
    • Notifying student of change in professional status to professional probation
    • Warning of potential dismissal from the program
    • Identifying areas for improvement with professionalism
    • Remediation Plans
  • The Program Director or Assistant Program Director reviews the PPC’s recommendations and issues a formal letter of notification/professional contract to the student outlining:
    • PPC’s decision
    • Remediation plans
    • Requirements for probation to avoid dismissal
    • Timeline for student to meet the assigned requirements
  • Attestation and acknowledgement of receipt of the Program Director or Assistant Program Director’s letter obtained from the student within twenty-four (24) hours.
  • Attestation and acknowledgement of deficiencies by the student within one (1) week in a professional improvement plan (PIP) and signature of a professionalism contract, which will include any remediation plans, if applicable.  The student will work with his/her faculty advisor to identify areas of deficiencies and create a PIP plan to return to good academic standing.  A PIP should also include self-reflection, must be signed by the student, approved by the PPC, and placed in the student file.

Referrals, reviews, and outcomes are addressed in a timely manner, documented, and secured in the student file and with the Office of Student Conduct Affairs. PA students and other unauthorized persons will not have access to the student’s file. {A3.17e}20 {A3.18}21

Professional probation may result in forfeiture of certain student opportunities or privileges.

Students that receive two (2) professional citations during the didactic or clinical year will be automatically put on Professional Probation. Students on Professional Probation will be followed continuously and monitored via a Professionalism Improvement/Remediation Plan for the remainder of the didactic year/clinical year and will be required to check in with their advisors as outlined in the plan. Students who do not meet the Professionalism Improvement/Remediation Plan requirements may be continued on professional probation, decelerated or dismissed from the program.

Professional Probation Status: Conditions for Program Progression

Students on probationary status are required to meet the requirements designated by the PPC to continue program progression. These requirements (or conditions) are as follows:

  • Complete and submit the attestation and acknowledgement issued by the program regarding the change in professional status.
  • Meet the specified conditions or actions outlined by the PPC.
  • Maintain the minimum performance requirements designated by the PPC.
  • Complete, sign, and adhere to his/her created Professional Improvement Plan.

Students on professional probation status are reviewed by the PPC, at minimum, one (1) time per semester and must frequently meet with their advisors. Advisement frequency determined by the advisor based upon student need.  Students who do not meet these conditional requirements, or who have an additional occurrence of professional violations following the change in status to professional probation may continue professional probation, decelerate or may be dismissed from the Program.

Scroll to Top