BA/MD Professionalism Policy

Introduction to BA/MD Expectations

The purpose of this policy is to address the Programmatic expectations of students in the Combined BA/MD Degree Program, which include professional, ethical and academic integrity standards. All BA/MD students are expected to demonstrate high standards of professional behavior in all educational settings (including classrooms and laboratories, professional and clinical sites) and in non-educational settings when representing the Program or on the UNM campus.

It is important that students understand the role of a professional encompasses more than just satisfactory acquisition of knowledge in courses. The professional must exhibit personal and professional behaviors, including but not limited to the list below. In addition, professionalism requires that an individual use practical judgment to determine how to behave in a variety of particular, often unpredictable, situations. When an individual is unsure which course of action is appropriate and professional in a given situation, consultation with BA/MD faculty and/or staff is strongly advised.

These expectations are in addition to those established by the UNM Student Code of Conduct and the School of Medicine Student Code of Conduct.

Behavioral Expectations

1. Honesty and integrity:
   1. Act with honesty and integrity in academic matters and professional relationships.
2. Trustworthiness:
   1. Demonstrate dependability to carry out responsibilities.
3. Empathy and cultural diversity:
   1. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal interaction with respect to culture, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation.
   2. Demonstrate regard for differing values and abilities among peers.
4. Communication:
   1. Communicate effectively with faculty, staff and other students
   2. Formulate written communications with professional content and tone.
5. Punctuality:
   1. Demonstrate punctuality in academic and professional environments.
   2. Adhere to established times for classes, laboratories, professional experiences, and meetings.
   3. Comply with established verbal and written deadlines
   4. Respond to requests (written, verbal, e-mail, telephone) in a timely fashion.
6. Professional behavior:
   1. Display professional behavior toward faculty, staff and students in the classroom, laboratory, and professional settings.
   2. Show regard for persons in authority in classroom, laboratory, and professional settings.
   3. Exhibit fitting behavior when representing the Combined BA/MD Degree Program in extracurricular activities and professional meetings.
7. Ethical standards:
   1. Demonstrate high ethical standards related to the educational setting (see Section V on academic integrity below).
8. Lifelong improvement and professional competence:
   1. Produce quality work in academic and professional settings.
   2. Demonstrate a desire to exceed expectations.
   3. Demonstrate characteristics of lifelong learning.
9. Time management and decision-making:
   1. Utilize time efficiently.
   2. Demonstrate self-direction in completing assignments.
   3. Demonstrate accountability for decisions.
10. Appearance:
    1. Maintain a professional appearance when representing the Combined BA/MD Degree Program.
    2. Maintain dress appropriate to classroom, laboratory, and professional setting.
    3. Maintain personal hygiene and grooming appropriate to the academic or professional environment. 

Procedural Expectations

Procedural expectations relate to the timely meeting of student responsibilities related to Program deadlines and requirements.  The list of procedural expectations is subject to change based on Program needs.