Academic and Professional Standards - 5.0

Contents

• Requirements for Progression - 5.1
• Petitions, Appeals, and Grievances - 5.2
• Academic and Professional Policies - 5.3
• Student and Patient Safety Policies - 5.4
• Other Policies and Requirements - 5.5

The Oregon State University Code of Student Conduct defines several expectations of students. The College of Pharmacy professional program has defined additional academic and behavioral expectations and characteristics considered essential to being a student pharmacist and pharmacist. Individuals who choose to become student pharmacists do so with the understanding that admission, progression and graduation are dependent upon their capacity to personally demonstrate essential characteristics defined by the College and profession of pharmacy.  

Academic and Professional Standards for students enrolled in the Oregon State University Pharm.D. program are outlined on the following pages. You must follow these standards whether at OSU in Corvallis, OHSU in Portland, or at a clinical site on a rotation. Academic policies, policies that provide for student and patient safety, and other requirements of the professional program are detailed. Also included are specifics of how policies are implemented, consequences of failing to meet standards, and appeal procedures. Every attempt has been made to be comprehensive, but every situation may not be specifically addressed. The College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards committee has the responsibility to implement and interpret academic and professional policies and to determine how to respond to situations not specifically addressed. 

Requirements for Progression - 5.1

Pharm.D. students must meet Oregon State University academic standards and Student Conduct Regulations (http://studentlife.oregonstate.edu/studentconduct). The College of Pharmacy also sets additional, profession-specific requirements that may exceed university standards to ensure graduates are fully prepared for pharmacy practice. 

Student standing is reviewed at the end of each term, or sooner if needed, based on core term pharmacy GPA, experiential compliance requirements, and other key professional attributes. 

Oregon State University's Pharm.D. program is designed to be completed in four years and integrates didactic instruction, clinical practice, professional development, and ideally, work experience. 

Our mission is to develop pharmacists with strong foundations and up-to-date knowledge and skills who can lead positive change in pharmacy and public health.

Student Standing in the College of Pharmacy 

The Academic and Professional Standards Committee (APSC) can review a student’s status in the College of Pharmacy at any time. Its role is to ensure students meet the Essential Characteristics of Student Pharmacists. Academic and behavioral issues are evaluated separately but are equally important. Serious, ongoing, or repeated issues may lead to dismissal from the Pharm.D. program. 

On a quarterly basis or as needed, the APSC shares standing status with students to highlight academic or behavioral concerns and guide students toward improvement. The APSC and the Offices of Academic Programs, Student Success and Experiential Education work together to help students succeed, using their judgment and experience to make case-by-case decisions. 

Student Standing Notifications 

Warning 

A Warning signals that a student’s academic or behavioral performance may put their Pharm.D. completion at risk. 

• Issued if a student’s term GPA in core pharmacy courses is below 2.5 or if behavior violates the Essential Characteristics.
• First Warning: Meet with the Head Advisor to create an action plan.
• Second Warning: Meet again to revise the plan.
• Third Warning: Automatically placed on Probation. 

Probation 

Probation indicates serious academic or behavioral concerns. It may be assigned before or after starting the program and can delay progression. Probation is assigned for the following conditions.

• Term GPA in core pharmacy courses is below 2.0.
• A grade of D is earned in any core or elective course.
• A third Warning is received.
• Behavior significantly violates the Essential Characteristics (e.g., academic dishonesty, violation of college policies for student engagement).
• Behavior violates the University Student Code of Conduct including academic misconduct and criminal activities.

Failure in Advanced Experiential Courses 

Students who fail an advanced experiential course are placed on Probation and cannot continue with their previously approved experiential schedule. 

• If a student fails a core advanced experiential course (PHAR 780, 785, 790, or 792), they must reschedule and successfully complete an equivalent experience before continuing in the program.
• Failure of an elective experiential course (PHAR 795 or 798) may involve rescheduling the experiential sequence, may preclude use of the “off-block”, and may involve delay of graduation to summer term if this is the first term on Probation.
• The Director of Experiential Education, Head Advisor, and Associate Dean for Student Success will collaborate with the student to determine the best next steps.
• This may include exploring remediation options, if appropriate, before the student can re-enroll in another advanced experiential course. 

NSC in non-credit courses PHAR 001, 002 and 005 

Students who do not complete the requirements by the due dates for non-credit courses PHAR 001, 002 and 005, will receive an NSC (non-satisfactory) grade, must complete the requirements by the end of week 2 of the following term to resolve the NSC, and will receive a Warning.  

Students who fail to complete the non-credit requirements and receive an NSC for a second time in a subsequent term will be placed on Probation. 

Competency-Based Assessment 

Some courses require passing specific assessments. A student may pass the course overall but still need to remediate if they fail a key assessment. For example, you may be required to pass an oral clinical exam to pass a course such as a pharmacy practice lab even if your overall score is in the passing range for the course. 

• Students must complete remediation and pass all competency-based assessments before advancing to experiential courses.
• Failure to meet competency is treated as course failure and may lead to Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal. 

Second Probation or receipt of F/No Pass in any required course 

A second Probation (for any reason) or receiving an F/No Pass will result in the following actions. Each instance of D or F grade is considered a separate count of Probation. For example, a D and a F grade in separate courses in the same term will be considered Second Probation status, and the student will be evaluated for potential dismissal after holistic review by the APSC.  

• Placement on full or partial leave that will extend the Pharm.D. program for another year.
• Halted academic progression until remediation is complete.
• Remediation will include repetition of any courses with D or F grades, and may include additional coursework, extra experiential hours, required written reflections, specific exam requirements, or other activities as determined by the APSC designed to assess and ensure readiness to progress in the Pharm.D. program.
• Evaluation for Dismissal.
• APSC may permit limited course completion (e.g., electives, longitudinal interprofessional coursework) during a leave, at its discretion.

Third Probation 

Students who are placed on Probation for a third time will be Suspended and evaluated for Dismissal. Students who fail to successfully complete remediation activities as determined by the APSC for any Probation will be Suspended and evaluated for Dismissal.  

Repeating Core Pharmacy Courses 

Students may retake a course once to earn a C or better (or a Pass in P/NP courses). If they fail again (i.e. receive a NP, C-, D or F grade), they will be evaluated for Dismissal.  

Five-year program limit 

Students must complete the Pharm.D. program in five years maximum. Even if the reason for the program extension was voluntary leave of absence, all students whose programs will be extended beyond five years will be evaluated for suspension and dismissal  

Suspension 

Suspension status is applied while students are appealing dismissal. Students are suspended after failing to make progress after remediation or multiple Probations as described above. Students are also suspended after serious or repeated behavioral or professionalism issues. For example, criminal charges involving illegal distribution of drugs or illicit substances, or behaviors that may result in a danger to others will result in immediate suspension and preparation for dismissal.  

While suspended, students cannot register for classes or participate in any aspect of the Pharm.D. program. The student may, however, continue to use their pharmacy intern license if suspended for academic issues.  

Dismissal 

Dismissal occurs after Suspension if the appeals process is exhausted or the student decides to not appeal a decision to dismiss. The Oregon Board of Pharmacy is notified within 10 days of dismissal and the student’s pharmacist intern license will be revoked. We are required to notify the Oregon Board of Pharmacy of the cause of dismissal whether academic or professional behavior. 

Petitions, Appeals, and Grievances - 5.2

Petitions 

Requests to deviate from the Academic and Professional Standards, requests to deviate from the normal curriculum, and requests for other exceptions to College policies, rules, or standards must be approved by the college Academic and Professional Standards Committee using the following process:  

1. Complete the petition, clearly stating the request, the reason for the request and describing how the request will influence the student’s academic career.
2. Submit the completed petition to the Head Advisor.
3. The Head Advisor will put the petition on the Academic and Professional Standards Committee agenda for the committee’s consideration. The Academic and Professional Standards Committee will not meet with the student in person before issuing decisions on petitions.
4. The Academic and Professional Standards Committee will attempt to address petitions in a timely manner. The committee will notify affected students of decisions by mail or email. 

Appeals 

Students may appeal any decision issued by the Academic and Professional Standards Committee. However, any such appeal must follow the following appeal process guidelines: 

1. Any student unsatisfied with a decision issued by the Academic and Professional Standards Committee must submit an appeal in writing to the Dean of the College within seven (7) calendar days following the issuance of a decision by the Academic and Professional Standards Committee. The Dean may refer the issue back to the Academic and Professional Standards Committee for additional review, if warranted. Following the review, the Dean will notify the affected student of his or her decision by mail or email.
2. The student may appeal the Dean’s decision to the Oregon State University Provost’s Office in writing within seven (7) calendar days following issuance of a decision by the Dean. The Provost’s Office decision on the appeal is the University’s final decision.1 

Academic Misconduct 

Students may appeal any decision in response to a report of academic misconduct.   

1. Faculty identifies a potential violation and is encouraged to communicate the concern to the student for clarification or explanation of actions.
2. If the faculty member determines that an incidence of student academic misconduct may have occurred, they complete an Academic Misconduct Report  (AMR) that is filed with OSU. The report is then forwarded to the College Hearing Officer (CHO; Associate Dean for Academic Programs).
3. The CHO forwards the AMR to the student and asks for a meeting. At this meeting, the student may request to bring a support person of their choosing.
4. After the CHO meets with the student (or after the student declines a meeting request), the student is allowed 10 days from the date of the meeting or meeting request to provide a written statement in regard to the report.
5. The CHO reviews the evidence and student statement, may interview the faculty member, and refers the report and their findings to the Academic and Professional Standards (APS) committee. The committee makes a final decision as to whether the student is responsible for the alleged misconduct and decides upon a sanction which may or may not be the same as recommended by the instructor.
6. The student is notified of the APS decision in writing and has 5 days from the date of notification to submit an appeal the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. 

Behavioral and Professional Misconduct 

Students may appeal any decision in response to a report of behavioral or professional misconduct.   

1. Faculty or staff internal or external to the College of Pharmacy (e.g. clinical preceptors) who feel that a student’s behavior or actions significantly deviates from the conduct expected of a student pharmacist is encouraged to communicate the concern to the student for clarification or explanation of actions.
2. The faculty, staff or community stakeholder is encouraged to consult with the Associate Dean for Student Success or the Associate Dean for Academic Programs (ADAP) to discuss the behavior or actions of concern. A formal report is then filed, which is forwarded to the Head Advisor and ADAP.
3. The Head Advisor forwards the report to the student and asks for a meeting. At this meeting, the student may request to bring a support person of their choosing.
4. After the Head Advisor meets with the student (or after the student declines a meeting request), the student is allowed 10 days from the date of the meeting or meeting request to provide a written statement regarding the report.
5. The Head Advisor reviews the evidence and student statement, may interview the faculty member, and forwards the report, the student statement, and their findings to the Academic and Professional Standards (APS) committee. The committee makes a final decision as to whether the student is responsible for the alleged misconduct and decides upon a sanction.
6. The student is notified of the APS decision in writing and has 5 days from the date of notification to submit an appeal in writing to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy. 

Academic Grievances 

Students should first refer to their course syllabi for instructions regarding how to challenge grading decisions for each of their courses. Unless the syllabi instruct otherwise, students must submit challenges to grading decisions in writing to the relevant course instructors within seven (7) calendar days after the applicable examinations or assignments have been graded and made available for review, which is typically the day the students’ grades are posted. Instructors will provide a timely academic decision in response to students’ challenges.  

Any student unsatisfied with their instructor’s or preceptor’s academic decision must challenge the decision no later than seven (7) calendar days after issuance of the decision using the following grievance process:  

1. Complete the Academic Grievance Form, clearly stating the grievance and the reason for filing the grievance.
2. Upon receipt, the Head Advisor will direct the grievance to the department chair (supervisor) of the relevant instructor, or in the case of preceptors, to the Associate Dean of Student Success (ADSS).
3. The department chair or ADSS after appropriate consultation, shall issue a decision by email to the student within a timely manner.
4. Grievances that involve a matter outside the authority and responsibility of department chairs or the ADSS will be sent to the APSC for consideration. (N.B.,The APSC will not meet with students in person before issuing decisions on academic grievances.)
5. The APSC will attempt to address academic grievances in a timely manner and issue decisions by email.
6. If the student is unsatisfied with the decision, the student may challenge the decision by submitting an appeal in writing to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy via email no later than seven (7) calendar days after issuance of a written decision. The student should explain the grievance, the reasons for filing the grievance, and why the decision issued by the department chair, ADSS or APSCis unsatisfactory to the student. 

ACPE Complaints

A student or students may lodge complaints at any time against the College of Pharmacy or the Pharm.D. program that are related to the standards, policies, or procedures of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The ACPE is the national accrediting agency for colleges of pharmacy. 

1. Complaints must be written, dated, and signed.
2. Complaints are to be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The Associate Dean will forward the complaint to the college Academic and Professional Standards Committee and the Dean of the college and maintain a file of such complaints for review by ACPE.
3. The complaint will be discussed by the Academic and Professional Standards Committee and referred to other committees or individuals as appropriate. Corrective action will be taken as appropriate.
4. The Associate Dean will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and will respond in a timely manner regarding any action taken.  

If you wish to file a complaint, you may also e-mail ACPE directly at:

• [email protected] (regarding a professional degree program)
• [email protected] (regarding a continuing education provider) 

ACPE’s Mailing Address

135 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 4100 
Chicago, Illinois 
60603-4810  

Academic and Professional Policies - 5.3

Prerequisites 

Students may register for only those courses for which they have completed the stated prerequisite courses. Exceptions are allowed only with approval of the College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards Committee. Students are responsible for verifying that they have completed all prerequisites. They must not enroll in any course for which they lack a prerequisite. If enrolled in such a course by mistake, they must immediately drop it. Enrollment in a course for which a student lacks a required prerequisite will result in an automatic failing grade for that course. 

Incompletes 

Incompletes (I/ grades) in core professional pharmacy courses must be removed within three weeks after the date that marks the beginning of the next term or advanced clerkship. Failure to remove an Incomplete within three weeks will result in a failing grade for the class and the student will be placed on Suspension unless the student has petitioned and been granted an extension by the College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards Committee. 

Leave of Absence 

The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program is a four-year program. Students may voluntarily take a fifth year to complete the program by completing the Leave of Absence form and providing an explanation for the College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards Committee. Any student wishing to extend their program beyond a fifth-year must petition the College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards Committee for consideration of extenuating circumstances and approval. Students should contact the Head Advisor for specific instructions regarding the Leave of Absence form and petition statement. Students requesting a Leave of Absence will be required to work with the Head Advisor to complete a plan for continued academic engagement to avoid a loss of skills and deterioration of knowledge over the leave period.  

Academic Integrity 

The College of Pharmacy does not tolerate academic dishonesty. Similarly, students must not tolerate dishonesty in the behavior of their colleagues. Students that engage in academic dishonesty will minimally receive a zero on the assignment and may earn a failing grade in the course and/or may face Dismissal from the Pharm.D. Program on the first offense.  The process for handling academic misconduct is located in the Petitions, Appeals, and Grievances section.  

Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to falsifying or cheating on an examination, plagiarism resulting from incomplete citations of source material, and other unprofessional behavior as described in College and University policies.  

For situations that involve group work, faculty members have a responsibility to clearly define which assignments permit group work and which do not. The College expects all Pharmacy students to give appropriate credit to others whose ideas are cited. Students must actively participate and accept responsibility in group assignments when all members of the group receive the same grade. For work turned in for individual credit, the student must have independently completed the work and accept personal responsibility for all work submitted.  

Definitions and examples of Academic Dishonesty are found on the OSU website under the Office of Student Conduct.  If there is any question as to what constitutes plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty, students should actively seek clarification from the instructor. 

Examination Policies 

Students unable to take a quiz or examination at the scheduled time must make every attempt to notify the course coordinator before the examination period.  Email or phone message will suffice in the case of incapacitating illness.  In all other situations, prior permission must be obtained from the course coordinator – and may require written documentation.  All students are expected to take all regularly scheduled examinations. 

If the course coordinator agrees that missing an examination could not be avoided, accommodations will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  Accommodation will involve an assessment scheduled during finals week and may utilize a format different than the original exam. 

Questions or concerns about points or grading of an exam need to be submitted in writing, along with the exam, within one week of the date the exam was returned to students.  Submitting such a request allows the instructor to review the exam for any additional oversights that may have occurred. 

Below are the College of Pharmacy standard examination procedures: 

• Sit every other seat.  Instructors/proctors may arrange seating in a crowded room.
• No hats or caps.  Put your possessions away.  Turn phones to silent.  Zip backpacks.  Scratch paper is not allowed.
• PRINT your name (registered name, not your nickname) and OSU ID# on examination papers.
• Every question has a best answer.  Mark the appropriate letter on the answer sheet.
• Do not ask questions during the exam.  Write on the exam or in the margins if you want to note or explain a concern regarding a specific question; then indicate on the front of the exam any specific questions that you would like to have reviewed.  The instructor will review your concern during the grading process.
• Students may notify instructors/proctors if there are inaccuracies on the exam (e.g. numbering).
• Only approved electronic devices (e.g. approved calculators) are permitted when allowed by the faculty of record.
• Leave the room after the exam.  Do not stay outside the room as it causes distraction.
• Please take care of personal needs before the exam starts.  Tell the proctor if it’s an emergency.
• Students are expected to conduct themselves during examinations in a manner that will not be disruptive to other students. If health or personal situations may require a student to disrupt the class (e.g. if a phone must be left on to be available for a sick child), the student should notify the instructor prior to the exam. 

Students are expected to avoid behavior that might cause an instructor to be concerned about academic dishonesty.  

• Phones, ‘smart’ watches, wearable technology that allows communication or data storage, entertainment electronics, tablets, mobile devices and computers must be turned off and stowed away from the student. Students may not have any of these devices in their pockets or within reaching distance.
• All papers must be inside a folder or backpack and put away.
• Students should keep test papers and scoring sheets covered when they are not being used.
• If a student receives approval to take an examination at a time other than the originally scheduled time, the student will be asked to sign a statement verifying that they have not received information related to the examination from other students and will not discuss the examination with students that have not yet completed the examination. 

Class Schedule and Required Assignment Policies 

Class, recitation, lab and exam schedules are established early in each term.  

• Non-emergency personal plans should not conflict with scheduled class times, examinations or required assignments.
• Parents should make arrangements for childcare on scheduled no-school days for their children who regularly attend school.
• Students should not schedule experiential rotations during scheduled class time.
• When making personal plans, students should assume that it will be necessary for them to be available until the very end of finals week. 

Students will not be admitted to examinations if they arrive after a student has already completed the examination. Generally, no additional time will be allowed if a student arrives late for an examination. The instructor does have discretion to allow additional time if there are extenuating circumstances. 

If at all possible, students are required to contact instructors prior to any examination, or assignment due date, if they will be unable to attend the examination or submit the assignment when scheduled. The remedy for excused absences is at the discretion of the course coordinator and is published in individual course documents. Documentation of the reason for excused absences may be required. Unexcused absences from examinations will result in a failing grade. 

Student Guidelines Regarding Course Materials 

To protect privacy rights, intellectual property rights, and the quality of the teaching and learning experience, the College of Pharmacy has adopted the following policies and guidelines governing course materials. Course materials include presentation materials created by instructors or other students, materials distributed in support of class activities, course assessments, and audio or video recordings.  

Except as provided below, students shall not give, sell, publish, or otherwise distribute any materials, in any medium, of any course given at the OSU College of Pharmacy, without the written consent of the course instructor and the Dean of the College of Pharmacy. 

• Students currently enrolled in a course may make audio recordings of course content, for use in study or other noncommercial purposes.  Video recordings are not allowed.
• Students currently enrolled in a course may distribute recordings to other currently enrolled OSU College of Pharmacy students for use in study or other noncommercial purposes arising from participation in the course, but they must ensure that recordings are distributed only in private forums. Any online distribution or posting of such recordings must be made on a password-protected site available only to current Pharm.D. students.
• If granted permission to use recordings or content from faculty or student presentations (e.g. slides, figures, charts) in their own presentations, papers, or other scholarly activities, students must cite the source of those recordings or content appropriately.
• Students should exercise special caution when creating or distributing audio, video, or image recordings of patients or fellow students. Students must not create or distribute recordings of patients without securing the permission of everyone identifiable in the recording and their course instructor or preceptor. 

Experiential Education Policies 

All pharmacy students have additional responsibilities to themselves, the College, their preceptor, and the profession to maintain the highest professional standards while in professional practice settings. These professional standards, or experiential program guidelines, are identified in experiential program manuals that will be made available to pharmacy students. Pharmacy students that fail to adhere to experiential program guidelines are subject to disciplinary action and removal from the practice site, which may delay or prevent graduation from the professional program. Several guidelines are emphasized below, but experiential program manuals should be consulted for a complete description of expectations. 

1. Students must be licensed as a pharmacy intern with the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy, as well as any state in which they will complete a clerkship experience.
2. Students must exhibit professional appearance in both manner and dress as specified by the preceptor. If appropriate, students must wear a nametag or ID badge approved by the College and identifying them as an OSU/OHSU student. Students may not use nametags from places of employment while completing clerkship experiences.
3. Students are obligated to protect patient confidentiality and respect all confidences.
4. Students are expected to display active participation and initiative in seeking learning opportunities.
5. Students are expected to display respect and courtesy to the preceptor. Disagreements should be addressed in private as part of an overall learning process.
6. Students must be punctual. Changes in previously approved schedules must be communicated to and approved by the preceptor.
7. Students are encouraged to communicate with healthcare professionals and patients. Communications that involve professional judgment should be discussed with the preceptor prior to implementation.
8. Students must be familiar with and observe all laws and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy and should seek clarification from the preceptor when necessary.
9. Students must fulfill the Essential Characteristics of Pharmacy Students identified by the College.
10. Concerns revealed in background checks or drug screening which could impact progression will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Concerns may also impact progression by preventing licensure or placement in experiential sites.
11. Experiential sites may require additional background checks and drug screenings.
12. Students are required to notify the College immediately of any events that could impact background checks or drug screenings.  Students are also required to notify the College immediately of any interactions with law enforcement, or events that could potentially result in disciplinary actions by a state Board of Pharmacy.

Pharm.D./MBA Policies 

Prospective Pharm.D./MBA students

• Must attend an MBA Information Session hosted by the COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor. Two sessions held every fall term and one session held every winter and spring terms.
• Cannot have a GPA of lower than 2.75 in the term prior to applying to the Pharm.D./MBA in order to be eligible to take Core 1 or Core 2 classes.
• Must fill out and submit interest form online after attending the Information Session. The interest form will automatically be sent to the COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor.
• Once interest form has processed, they must meet with the College of Business MBA advisor to finish paperwork with the Graduate School and talk through more details about the program.
• P1 students can attend one of the Information Sessions in fall term, fill out the interest form, and register for winter term Core 1 or Core 2 courses, but their acceptance into the dual degree program is contingent upon fall term GPA.
  • If the student receives a GPA of 2.75 or lower or any non-satisfactory (NSC) or no pass (NP) grades in fall term, then they must drop the MBA course they are enrolled in for winter term. 

Tuition Costs & Considerations for dual degree Pharm.D./MBA students 

• The Pharm.D. tuition plateaus at 12 credits. Any Corvallis-based MBA course(s) taken above the 12 credit load will not be charged additional tuition unless the course is an Ecampus or hybrid class
  • Pharm.D. tuition refers to when you are actively enrolled in Pharm.D. courses. When you are not enrolled in Pharm.D. courses (i.e. summer breaks), you are responsible for the full cost of your MBA course(s)
  • Corvallis based courses covered by your Pharm.D. tuition require in person attendance on the OSU Corvallis campus
  • All MBA Ecampus and hybrid courses will incur the full cost of the course since they are not covered by your Pharm.D. tuition
• Academic Calendar
  • All students are subject to the registration and refund deadlines as stated in the Academic Calendar

Current Pharm.D./MBA students

• Must receive a 2.5 term GPA or higher in all Pharm.D. coursework to continue taking Core 1 or Core 2 courses the following term.
• Cannot be on warning or probation or holding a NP or NSC grade. Students in these situations are ineligible to take Core 1 or Core 2 courses in the term following their warning or probation²
• Must inform COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor and COB MBA advisor via email if they plan to withdraw from Core 1 or Core 2 courses.
• Must inform COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor and COB MBA advisor if they plan to take a term off from taking MBA classes.
• Must receive a B- or higher in all MBA coursework (as outlined in the College of Business’ (COB) MBA Handbook)
• P1-P3 students must meet with the COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor every spring term to be eligible to continue taking Core 1 and Core 2 courses.
• Must complete all Core 1 courses in order to be eligible to take PHAR 798, Pharmacy Health Admiration (APPE) for dual MBA credit.
• Must notify Director of Experiential Education in fall term of P3 year that they want to be part of the MBA qualifying administrative rotation (PHAR 798) in their P4 year.
  • PHAR 798 MBA qualifying administrative rotations are limited.  COB will work with students not enrolling in PHAR 798 to determine if an alternative experience will qualify for completion of the curricular requirements.
  • Eligible students will be ranked and then allowed to enroll until available sites are filled. 
    • Ranking will be based on academic performance, progress toward completion of other MBA requirements, professionalism, and extenuating circumstances.  Decision of the Interim Associate. Dean for Student Affairs is final.
• Cannot take more than one Core 1 or Core 2 class in any term of the P1-P4 years, except P1 and P2 summers.
  • Student requests to take more than one course per quarter should be submitted directly to the COP Pharm.D./MBA advisor.
  • Students are advised to carefully consider whether or not to take courses spring term of the PAR block. No accommodations will be provided for conflicts between PAR block activities and MBA course requirements.
  • Students cannot take more than one course in P4 summer as they are enrolled in APPE rotations during that summer
• P4 students must receive approval from any APPE preceptors where that block overlaps with an MBA course 

Pharm.D./MBA Student Leave of Absence

Student and Patient Safety Policies - 5.4

Disclosure of Criminal Activity 

Pharm.D. students must immediately disclose any encounters with law enforcement to a member of the Office of Student Success & Engagement or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.  

Encounters with law enforcement include criminal activity, alleged criminal activity, citations, arrests, or any other interactions that result from student behavior, or circumstances in which law enforcement intervenes and the student is present.   The disclosure will be referred to the Academic and Professional Standards committee, but the Associate Dean for Student Affairs may determine that immediate removal from practice sites or Suspension is appropriate until circumstances surrounding the incident can be clarified.  Failure to disclose may result in Dismissal from the College. 

Disclosure of Board of Pharmacy Action 

Pharm.D. students must also immediately disclose any action taken against them by a Board of Pharmacy, including but not limited to any investigation, warning, probation, and revocation of licensure. Failure to do so could result in Dismissal from the Pharm.D. Program. 

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening 

Pharmacists are entrusted with the health, safety, and welfare of patients, access to controlled substances and confidential information, and operate in settings that require the exercise of good judgment and ethical behavior. Accordingly, the College of Pharmacy requires all pharmacy students to complete Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screenings. Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening have become standard requirements for employment in pharmacy and placement in clinical rotations and early experiential rotations. Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening may also be required for licensure. Students who cannot participate in clinical rotations and early experiential rotations due to criminal or other activities of concern that are revealed in Criminal Background Checks or Drug Screening may be unable to fulfill the requirements of their College program. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to conduct Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening early to resolve any issues prior to commitment of resources by the College and by students. The following College policies regarding Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening were developed in accordance with national standards and the November 2006 Report of the AACP Criminal Background Check Advisory Panel. 

Purpose 

The purposes of criminal background checks and drug screenings include:  

• To enhance the safety and well-being of patients,
• To ascertain the ability of accepted applicants and enrolled pharmacy students to eventually become a licensed pharmacist, and
• To bolster the public’s continuing trust in the pharmacy profession,  

Application 

The policies regarding Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening apply to all applicants accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Accepted applicants must submit to the Criminal Background Checks, regardless of any previous criminal background checks that may have been conducted for the applicants. Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screenings are only completed on accepted applicants, and, therefore, the results are not a factor in the initial admission decision process. The College, however, may rescind an initial offer of admission should the results of either the Criminal Background Check or a Drug Screening show that the student has engaged in behaviors that are not consistent with the Essential Characteristics of Student Pharmacists or are otherwise indicative of an inability to fulfill the requirements of the College program for which they were admitted. Decisions to rescind admission are made on a case-by-case basis after a formal committee review by the College of Pharmacy Academic and Professional Standards Committee (APSC). The APSC will communicate its decision and the reason or reasons for its decision to the affected student. Accepted applicants whose offer of admission is rescinded based on the results of the Criminal Background Check or a Drug Screening may appeal the decision through the standard College of Pharmacy appeals process. 

Background Check 

The College of Pharmacy requires that students submit to a Criminal Background Check using a vendor designated and approved by the College. Criminal Background Checks typically involve access to court records containing local, state, or federal incidents of arraignment, trial, and disposition; law enforcement agency records containing incidents of complaint, investigation, arrest, and indictment; and, correction agency records containing information about probation, parole, and incarceration. In addition, a sex offender registry check and Department of Motor Vehicle driving history check will be completed.  

Frequency

All persons enrolled in the professional program must submit to a Criminal Background Check following notification of admission and no more than four months before matriculation.  The College shares information regarding background checks with OHSU at the end of the second professional year.  This information is required before OHSU will issue an OHSU student ID, and an OHSU ID is required to progress into the third professional year. 

Background checks cannot be more than 2 years old at the end of the second professional year when we communicate background check information to OHSU.  If your background check is more than 2 years old at the end of the second professional year, the College requires that you submit a new background check.  The College will pay for this background check. 

Any student who has had any interaction with law enforcement must inform the College of Pharmacy (see Disclosure of Criminal Activity).  Failure to reveal an interaction with law enforcement may result in dismissal at any time that the event is discovered.  Any student who has had an interaction with law enforcement will be required to complete a second background check, at their expense, at the end of the second professional year.     

It is possible that specific clerkship sites or practice settings will require that students submit to additional Criminal Background Checks. 

Procedure

Students will be contacted directly by the College-approved vendor for background checks. It is important that students carefully follow directions provided. Results of background checks are sent directly to the College. Results are stored separately from the student’s academic file. 

Committee Review Standards

The APSC will review all Criminal Background Checks. The College may rescind an offer of admission, dismiss a student, or place a student on Warning, Probation, or Suspension, based on information revealed in the results of the Criminal Background Checks or conduct violations while a Pharm.D. student in the College. The College may also refer students to the Oregon Professional Recovery Network, a non-profit organization that counsels pharmacists regarding chemical dependency. 

OHSU, individual experiential sites, and the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy will make independent decisions about the results of a student’s Criminal Background Check. If OHSU refuses to allow a student on campus due to the results of a Criminal Background Check or the Oregon Board of Pharmacy refuses to issue an intern license, the student will not be able to complete the professional program, resulting in dismissal from the professional program. Similarly, if an individual experiential site refuses to accept a student, progression will likely be delayed, and it may not be possible for the student to complete the professional program. If the College is unable to find alternative experiential sites the student may, therefore, be dismissed from the College for failure to make reasonable progress in the pharmacy program. 

Confidentiality/Record Keeping

All records related to background checks are stored separately from academic files. Only members of the APSC and faculty associated with experiential education have access to Criminal Background Check results. 

College Disclaimer

The Criminal Background Check process does not guarantee the safety of students, patients, faculty, or staff. An acceptable criminal background check, as defined by the College, does not guarantee the student will be eligible to complete the program or obtain a license to practice pharmacy upon graduation. OHSU, experiential sites or the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy may apply different standards or uncover new information not revealed in previous record searches. 

Payment Process

All expenses associated with a Background Check are the responsibility of the student or applicant.  

Refusing Background Check

A student will not be allowed to matriculate in or continue in the Pharm.D. program if: 

• He or she does not consent to required Criminal Background Checks,
• He or she has an unsatisfactory history revealed by the results of a Criminal Background Check,
• He or she does not meet the eligibility requirements for Oregon Intern Licensure. 

Drug Screening 

The College requires students to submit to a drug screening prior to matriculation. The test must be conducted by the College’s designated vendor and will, at a minimum, screen for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, phencyclidine and propoxyphene. It may also screen for additional illegal drugs or controlled substances. 

Frequency

All professional students participate in a drug screening prior to beginning the Pharm.D. program.  Specific experiential sites or practice settings may also require additional drug screenings.  The Director of Experiential Education has a list of sites that require additional screening. 

Additional drug screening can be required “for cause” upon a reasonable suspicion that a student is engaged in the misuse of drugs or use of illegal drugs at any time during the professional program.  

If a faculty member, preceptor or colleague believes there is sufficient cause for drug screening, the request with rationale will be submitted to the APSC. The APSC will make all decisions regarding whether to administer a mandatory drug screening for cause upon reasonable suspicion that a student is engaged in the misuse of drugs or use of illegal drugs. The decision of the committee is final. The College will pay for the first “for cause” drug screening. Failure to comply with an APSC request to undergo drug screening for cause will be grounds for Suspension and, potentially, Dismissal. 

Procedure

Students will be contacted directly by the College-approved vendor for drug screenings. It is important that students carefully follow directions provided. Results of drug screenings are sent directly to the College and are stored separately from the student’s academic file. 

Committee Review Standards

If a student fails an initial drug screening, the medical director of the testing center will contact the student to discuss issues that might have resulted in a failed drug screening. The student may be cleared at that point or referred to take a second drug screening. The school is not notified unless the results of a second drug screening are positive, in which case the results will be forwarded to the College and referred to the APSC.  

If the College of Pharmacy is notified of a positive drug screening prior to matriculation, with the sole exception of a positive screen for cannabinoids, the student’s offer of admission will be rescinded and the student will not be allowed to begin the Pharm.D. program. 

Current students with an unsatisfactory drug screening will be referred to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy and the APSC. The APSC will determine the student’s standing in the College. Additionally, they will be referred to the Oregon Professional Recovery Network, a non-profit organization that counsels pharmacists regarding chemical dependency. 

Cannabinoids

Students with a positive drug screening limited solely to cannabinoids will be asked to repeat the drug screen at their expense prior to winter term of P1 year to provide a negative test before introductory pharmacy practice experiences begin. Positive cannabinoid drug screenings do not need to be reported to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. 

Recreational and medical use of cannabinoids, including marijuana, has been legalized for persons over 21 years old in several states including Oregon.  Possession, use, or distribution of marijuana in any form, however, continues to be prohibited on any of the University’s campuses or facilities and during any University activities.  These rules are consistent with federal laws that regulate institutions receiving federal funds.  Additional federal laws, such as the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act also prohibit use of marijuana.  

A number of pharmacy corporations and healthcare systems have personnel rules that prohibit use of cannabinoids.  Therefore, repeated positive cannabinoid drug screens may severely limit the ability of the College to provide student access to required experiential education practice settings which may delay or prevent student progression.  The College strongly recommends that students behave in a manner that presumes possession, use, or distribution of cannabinoids to be prohibited in all settings. 

Regardless of state laws permitting use, any student that appears to be impaired by substance use, legal or illegal, in a curricular or co-curricular activity will be immediately removed and prohibited from patient care settings and may be Suspended pending an investigation.  

Confidentiality/Record Keeping

All records related to drug screening results are stored separately from the student’s academic file. Only members of the APSC and faculty associated with experiential education have access to the drug screening results. 

College Disclaimer

The drug screening process does not guarantee the safety of students, patients, faculty, or staff. 

Payment Process 

All expenses associated with a drug screening, except for a first drug screening for cause, are the responsibility of the student or applicant. 

Refusing drug screening

A student will not be allowed to matriculate in or continue in the Pharm.D. program if they do not consent to the required drug screening. 

The APSC determines whether a student should undergo a drug screening ‘for cause’ based on a demonstrated failure of the student to meet the Essential Characteristics of a Pharmacist that the APSC reasonably believes may be tied to substance abuse. A student who refuses drug screening ‘for cause’ will face Suspension and then considered for Dismissal from the Pharm.D. Program. 

Experiential Site Requirements

Specific Experiential Sites may require students to complete background checks, drug testing, immunizations, or other requirements on a more frequent time frame than required by the College.  Students are responsible for the cost associated with these requirements and should check with Experiential Directors about additional requirements when selecting experiential sites. 

Confidentiality, Diversity, and Harassment Training 

All pharmacy students receive training on issues relating to confidentiality (including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act training), diversity, and harassment. These training sessions assure that student, staff, faculty and patient information is handled appropriately and that students, staff, faculty and patients find an environment that is welcoming and respectful. Training sessions offered by the College occur early in the first professional year and again before pharmacy students move to the OHSU campus, and they are mandatory. Individual experiential sites may have additional training requirements. 

Identification 

Pharm.D. students are required to wear a nametag while representing the College at any experiential site or event. The nametag must be approved by the College and identify them as an OSU/OHSU student. Students may not use nametags from places of employment while completing clerkship experiences. 

Immunizations 

All Pharm.D. students must have received the following immunizations: Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis;  Measles, Mumps, Rubella, (MMR); Hepatitis B (vaccine series and titer); and Varicella, and annual TB screening. All Pharm.D. students must also have received an approved COVID-19 vaccination or received a medical or religious exception from both OSU and OHSU using their separate university processes. Admitted students without COVID-19 vaccination should contact the Associate Dean for Student Success, Dr. Juancho Ramirez, as soon as possible to identify steps to request an exception. Failure to receive an exception and completion of a COVID immunization protocol will result in withdrawal of acceptance into the PharmD program.  

Each student must have complete immunization records on file with OHSU before matriculation into the Pharm.D. program. If immunization records are not complete, registration for winter term classes will be blocked and the student will be placed on Suspension.   A positive (immune) Hepatitis B Surface Antibody blood titer is required by November 1 of the first professional year. 

Annual TB screening is required of all pharmacy students. Students should review the categories outlined on the TB Annual Monitoring Form provided by the College and follow procedures appropriate for their category. Individuals with a history of BCG vaccination ARE NOT exempt from this requirement. 

P3 students are required to meet OHSU’s immunization standards. Specific clerkship sites or practice settings may also have site specific immunization standards.  

Information regarding OHSU’s immunization requirements can be found by reading the New Student Immunization Requirements.  

This immunization policy is necessary to protect the health of students and patients. Therefore, students who do not maintain current immunizations or complete an annual TB screening will have holds placed on their registration and may be referred to the Academic and Professional Standards Committee. 

Personal and Patient Protection

Health professionals are expected to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves, colleagues, and their patients from infectious disease.   

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Students will receive training in strategies they should employ to prevent the spread of infectious disease. 

It is required that pharmacy students follow recommendations for the use of PPE, to limit the spread of infectious disease to themselves, colleagues, and patients in all academic and experiential settings. Note, some experiential settings may require PPE that exceed recommendations for academic settings.  Additionally, there is an expectation that students will exercise similar caution in their personal interactions.   

The College will collaborate with students to identify PPE appropriate to each individual.  If a student is unable or unwilling to follow recommendations for PPE, progression may be stopped, or delayed until recommendations for the use of PPE are altered.  

Blood-Borne Pathogen Training 

Blood Borne Pathogen training assures safety for healthcare professionals and patients in situations where body fluids may be present. Mandatory training sessions are held at several points in the professional curriculum. Additional training may be required by specific experiential sites. 

BLS and First Aid Certification

Students must have a current First Aid Certification and Healthcare Provider BLS certification at the time of matriculation to the College of Pharmacy.  Alternative certification may be substituted but must be approved by the Head Advisor.  Courses that have a partial component online but also include an in-person class session (hybrid courses) will be permitted. Fully online certification, or recertification, for BLS is NOT accepted.  

BLS certification must be current while enrolled in the College of Pharmacy. Newly admitted students may not begin the program if proof of current Healthcare Provider BLS and First Aid certification is not provided prior to the first day of fall term classes. If a student’s Healthcare Provider BLS certification lapses, a registration hold will be placed for the following term and the student may not progress until proof of current certification has been received by the Office of Student Success & Engagement. 

Immunization Certification 

Successful completion of the Immunization Certificate Program (which allows you to give immunizations) is required of all professional students prior to beginning the second professional year. Students will be provided one copy of the immunization certification certificate. A fee will be charged for each additional copy requested. 

Bodily Fluid Exposure and Needle Stick Policy 

Post-Exposure Procedures 

Student pharmacists experiencing a body fluid exposure should immediately cleanse the wound or mucous membrane with soap and water, or if contact is to the eye(s), flush with water for several minutes. Exposure involving a known HIV positive source should be considered a medical emergency and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated within 2 hours of exposure per CDC recommendations. 

The exposure should be reported immediately to the appropriate personnel at the site and at the College of Pharmacy. The student pharmacist should immediately contact the Director of Experiential Education and seek care for necessary medical testing and evaluation for post-exposure prophylaxis.  

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Education (APPE) 

If the exposure occurred at an APPE site, the student should immediately notify the preceptor and the Director of Experiential Education. The student should seek immediate medical evaluation and care with employee health at the site or, if directed, with the nearest urgent care/emergency department, health care facility or personal physician of choice. The preceptor should provide guidance to the student regarding the procedure to follow regarding post-exposure medical care and the student should comply with the preceptor’s instructions. The Director of Experiential Education and the Head Advisor should be notified as soon as possible regarding the incident.  

The individual who is the source of any potential blood borne pathogen should be informed of the exposure by the preceptor or the Director of Experiential Education, not by the student. The preceptor or Director of Experiential Education should arrange for consent to be obtained from the source for the appropriate medical testing.   

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education (IPPE) 

If the exposure occurred during a patient visit for IPPE, the student should immediately notify the Director of Experiential Education and the Head Advisor. The student pharmacist should seek immediate medical evaluation and care. The source should be informed of the exposure by the Director of Experiential Education.  

Other College of Pharmacy Sponsored Events 

If the exposure occurred during a College of Pharmacy sponsored event other than IPPE or APPE, the student should immediately notify the faculty advisor or the preceptor involved in the event, the Director of Experiential Education, and the Head Advisor. The student should seek immediate medical evaluation and care. The source should be informed of the exposure by the faculty advisor or preceptor, not the student.  

Laboratory Testing 

Laboratory testing should be conducted for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C based on current guidelines and available source patient data. Laboratory testing should be conducted immediately after the exposure. Additional testing may be required over the next few weeks or months. Results of laboratory testing should be reported directly to the student. 

Costs of Treatment 

APPE and IPPE sites are under no obligation to provide medical evaluation or treatment if needed. Some APPE sites will treat the student as they do employees, but sites are under no obligation to do this. Students should learn the policies and procedures to follow at each site by discussing them with their preceptors. 

In all cases, the cost of treatment is the responsibility of the student. The College of Pharmacy does not provide reimbursement for costs related to exposure. Students are required to have health insurance and are expected to use their insurance to cover costs of treatment. 

Reporting Form 

Students should make reports using the Incident Report Form. 

Other Policies and Requirements - 5.5

Student Conduct & Community Standards  

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is the central coordinating office for student conduct related matters at Oregon State University.  SCCS supports the mission of the University by providing programs and services designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of students in relation to community standards, civility, accountability, diversity, respect and truth. 

Choosing to join the Oregon State University community obligates each member to a code of responsible behavior which is outlined in the Student Conduct Code. The assumption upon which this Code is based is that all persons must treat one another with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive.   

Dress Code 

Students should dress comfortably and professionally for the Pharmacy Practice Lab or clinical site.   

Appropriate attire can include blouses, collared shirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts, sweaters, and close-toed shoes. Clothing and shoes should be clean and in good condition, free of holes, tears, or rips.   

Inappropriate clothing includes shorts, clothing designed for working out/athletic apparel, graphic t-shirts, jeans, open-toed shoes, and sandals.  

Clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry worn for religious practice, gender expression, and cultural tradition are welcomed in the classroom.  

Please use good judgement when dressing for Pharmacy Practice Lab or site If you have questions or concerns about the Pharmacy Practice Lab attire guidelines, please contact your instructor or preceptor. 

Professional Student Orientation Program 

Professional student orientation programs are held prior to the beginning of each professional year. Attendance is required and students are responsible for all information presented. If a student cannot attend an orientation, they must contact the Office of Student Success & Engagement at least two weeks in advance. 

General and Professional Liability Insurance 

Each College of Pharmacy student is covered under general liability and professional liability insurance through a commercial insurance policy purchased by the Students of the Oregon University System. This insurance delivers liability insurance on an occurrence basis, with primary limits of not less than $1 million/$3 million.  

This policy covers students only when they are engaged in activities that constitute a required component of the professional pharmacy program.  

This policy does not cover activities a student engages in as a component of his or her personal professional development plan that are not required components of the pharmacy program, such as outside work as a pharmacy intern or volunteering at outreach events.  

To ensure that students are adequately covered during these outside activities, students are required to maintain individual liability insurance coverage. 

Student Health Services Fees 

Students pay health fees for the campus that they are located on.  Corvallis based students pay OSU student health fees and Portland based students pay OHSU student health fees. These fees provide access to health services on the students’ home campus. Fourth professional year students are required to pay reduced OHSU fees. 

Student Health Services Records Requests 

Students can request copies of immunization documentation or other records from OSU’s or OHSU’s Student Health Services, as applicable. Such requests may take up to two weeks to process and students should plan accordingly. 

See their websites for more information and forms: 

http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/forms 

https://www.ohsu.edu/education/student-health-and-wellness-center 

Student Health Insurance Requirement 

Pharmacy students are exposed to risks in experiential practice sites and on the OHSU medical campus. Additionally, many experiential practice sites require students to have adequate health insurance. Therefore, all students are required to purchase the OHSU student health insurance plan (SHIP) which covers students for an entire year.  Information about the SHIP can be found here: https://www.ohsu.edu/education/student-health-insurance-plan 

A student may be able to request that another health insurance plan, such as the plan provided by OSU Student Health Services, a spouse’s employer etc., substitute for the OHSU plan. Students must follow all OHSU procedures for requesting such a substitution. Waivers are only granted to students who have another plan that is comparable in coverage.  

Waivers must be renewed annually. Waiver procedures, deadlines, and requirements are described in detail on the OHSU Student Health Services website: 

https://www.ohsu.edu/education/student-health-insurance-plan