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• Purpose
• Background
• Principles
• Definitions
• Policy
• Procedure
• Footnotes

Purpose

Professional conduct is foundational to the UCSF PRIDE values (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence), the Pharmacist Code of Ethics, the Oath of a Pharmacist, and the UCSF School of Pharmacy Professionalism Pledge signed by all student pharmacists.

This policy outlines standards for professional behavior and the processes used to address professionalism concerns within the School of Pharmacy.

The Professionalism Policy ensures: 

• Clear expectations
• Progressive accountability
• Promotion of professional growth and development 
• Structured student support and intervention 

Background

Professionalism is fundamental to the practice of pharmacy and is a core competency of the UCSF PharmD curriculum.¹ Upon graduation, pharmacy students must demonstrate the personal attributes and actions central to pharmacy practice.² These guidelines have been developed to define the standards of professionalism critical to the education and development of PharmD graduates who will be leaders and effective team members in health care and lifelong experts in the safe and effective use of medicines.

Pharmacy students, faculty and staff share collective responsibility for creating and maintaining an educational environment that promotes professionalism. Through the guidance of faculty and the example set by practicing pharmacists, pharmacy students develop and exercise the actions, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with a professional environment. 

Professionalism is grounded in principles outlined in the UCSF School of Pharmacy Professionalism Pledge and include: 1) academic integrity, professional conduct, 2) respect, dignity, compassion for others, 3) communication, 4) preparation, presence, timeliness, 5) responsiveness, adaptability, 6) professional collaboration, and 7) appropriate attire. These principles provide the foundation for professionalism in academic, professional, and administrative settings³.

These professionalism standards are implemented with an emphasis on the education, growth, and professional development of each individual pharmacy student.

Principles

As a pharmacy student at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy, the student acknowledges the privilege of studying pharmacy. In accepting this privilege, the student recognizes that they are devoting their professional life to the service of humankind, and agree that throughout their education and career, they will uphold the pharmacist code of ethics⁴ which states:

A pharmacist respects the covenantal relationship between patient and pharmacist.
A pharmacist promotes the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner.
A pharmacist respects the autonomy and dignity of each patient.
A pharmacist acts with honesty and integrity in professional relationships.
A pharmacist maintains professional competence.
A pharmacist respects the values and abilities of colleagues and other health professionals.
A pharmacist serves individual, community and societal needs.
A pharmacist seeks justice in the distribution of health resources.
 

In recognition that as a pharmacy student, the student represents the UCSF School of Pharmacy at all times, whether in an academic, professional or administrative setting, they understand that their actions contribute to their success as well as the well-being and growth of themselves and those around them. They pledge to adhere to UCSF PRIDE values (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence) as a guide for their actions and decisions, ensuring that they contribute positively to their community and profession.  

They reaffirm the principles of professional and ethical behavior as outlined in the “Oath of a Pharmacist” and agree to uphold the following principles from the UCSF School of Pharmacy Professionalism Pledge: 

Academic Integrity and Professional Conduct

Commit to maintaining the highest standards of academic honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in all aspects of their work and studies.  Accept responsibility for their actions, acknowledge mistakes honestly, and take appropriate steps to correct them while learning from the experience.

Respect, Dignity, and Compassion for Others

Commit to treating everyone (colleagues, peers, instructors, patients, family members, and others) with respect, dignity, and compassion while maintaining appropriate boundaries in every relationship. Demonstrate equal respect for all persons, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Additionally, honor the confidentiality rights of patients and others, ensuring privacy and trust are preserved in all settings. 

Communication 

Commit to communicating professionally, respectfully, and proactively in all settings. Respond to emails, messages, and other professional communications in a timely manner and use appropriate professional titles (e.g., Doctor, Dean, Professor etc.) until invited to do otherwise. 

Preparation, Presence and Timeliness

Commit to being prepared and engaged, to the best of their ability, in all professional settings, including classes and activities. Honor their commitments by arriving on time, meeting deadlines, attending all appointments as scheduled, and respecting the time and efforts of others. 

Responsiveness and Adaptability 

Commit to approaching all feedback and guidance with openness, recognizing that constructive input is essential for growth and development as a lifelong learner. Remain aware of their limitations and seek help when necessary. Do their best to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to incorporate recommendations that enhance their learning and professional competence.

Professional Collaboration 

Commit to actively contributing to a collaborative and supportive environment in all academic and professional settings. Work cooperatively within teams, demonstrating sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs and requests of colleagues and fostering open communication and mutual respect. 

Appropriate Attire 

Commit to maintaining a professional appearance that respects both the setting and personal expression of cultural or religious attire. Ensure clothing is functional, safe, and appropriate while upholding the standards of professionalism. 

Definitions

1. Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE): Experiences within community and institutional pharmacy practice settings involving supervised pharmacy practice and direct patient care experiences.
2. Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE): Experiences within a variety of practice settings designed to enhance and refine student performance in pharmacy practice and direct patient care and to expose students to a variety of career pathways.
3. Professionalism Concerns Report (PCR): A mechanism used to support pharmacy students in the development of professional behavior by documenting actions or behaviors that are inconsistent with expectations for professionalism. Timely communication and feedback to pharmacy students is a goal of this process.

Policy

Professionalism is fundamental to the practice of pharmacy and is a core competency of the UCSF PharmD curriculum. Faculty and members of the School administration support the development of professionalism through advising, mentoring, and feedback, and by serving as role models. This process is inherently interactive, with the goal of helping students who need assistance develop their professional skills.

Faculty and members of the School administration are encouraged to provide timely feedback and guidance to pharmacy students regarding professionalism concerns and, when appropriate, meet with the student to discuss suggestions for improvement.  If the behavior is repeated, significant, or otherwise warrants formal documentation, a PCR will be filed.

Instances of academic dishonesty including but not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, theft or forgery, whether in an examination or other course obligation, should be addressed by both the PCR process as well as through the School of Pharmacy Policy on Student Misconduct in Academic Studies.

Procedure

The faculty is encouraged to meet with a pharmacy student who does not meet professionalism standards as soon as concerns are raised. In the event attempts to give the pharmacy student feedback about issues of concern have been unsuccessful or if the behavior is of a significant or serious nature, a PCR will be completed by the Course Director, Program Director, or Associate Dean. A PCR needs to be submitted within 15 business days of the incident or report from the preceptor/instructor/facilitator. The student must sign the PCR within two business days (48 hours) to acknowledge receipt. By acknowledging the PCR, it confirms that the student has reviewed the professionalism concern. 

When a PCR is filed, it is maintained in a secure electronic system to support documentation, monitoring, and review of professionalism concerns, including the nature, severity, and patterns of concerns throughout a pharmacy student’s enrollment in the PharmD program. 

Behavioral Classification Levels

Professionalism concerns are categorized according to the nature and severity of the behavior into classification levels. These levels are guidelines (see table below) and may be adjusted based on the specific circumstances of an incident at the discretion of the faculty.  

Due to the heightened professional responsibilities, patient care considerations, and expectations of experiential practice environments, any PCRs submitted during an IPPE or APPE will be classified as either a Level 2 Professionalism Breach or a Level 3 Professionalism Violation.  

Follow-Up and Intervention

Professionalism concerns are reviewed individually and may also be considered collectively to identify patterns of behavior and determine appropriate support, intervention, remediation, or referral.

Depending on the nature, severity, frequency, and cumulative history of professionalism concerns, follow-up actions may include:

• Meeting with faculty, advisor, or School leadership
• Development of a Professionalism Improvement Plan
• Meetings with the Professionalism Liaison or the Director of Student Affairs or designee (NOTE: meetings are required for any Level 3 Professionalism Violations) 
• Referral to CAS
• Additional actions as appropriate under School, UCSF, or University policies

These interventions represent minimum expectations and may be adjusted based on the circumstances of a particular concern.

Students with PCR(s) prior to 6/26/2026

Professionalism concerns documented prior to implementation of the updated Professionalism Policy will be reviewed for historical context and considered when evaluating professionalism patterns, support needs, intervention planning, remediation, monitoring, or escalation decisions, including referral to the Committee on Academic Standards (CAS), when appropriate. 

Review and Oversight

Professionalism concerns may also be reviewed through existing School of Pharmacy student progress and academic review processes. PCRs will be reviewed by the Sub-Committee on Student Progress (SCSP) at each quarterly meeting as part of the holistic review of student progress. In the event a pharmacy student is referred to the Committee on Academic Standards (CAS) for review as stated in the Academic Standing, Academic Notice, and Dismissal Policy, any PCR on file will become part of the pharmacy student's School of Pharmacy academic file. In both cases, the PCR is not noted on the student’s transcript.

SCSP or CAS are charged with implementing School of Pharmacy Academic Policies and making recommendations regarding the status of pharmacy students in the PharmD program, including academic notice and dismissal. Recommendations from the Committee on Academic Standards are forwarded to the Dean or their designee for final action.

Footnotes

1. UCSF PharmD Graduation Requirements
2. UCSF PharmD Curricular Outcomes
3. Academic settings include classrooms, research, clinical/patient care settings; professional settings include student organizations, health events; professional meetings; administrative settings include interactions with school, campus and external units and organizations.
4. Pharmacist Code of Ethics, Adopted by the membership of the American Pharmacists Association, 1994.

Updated and Approved by CEPC 6/26/2026