Dress Code

Students are expected to dress in an appropriately professional manner. Some departments may establish a dress code for particular activities (e.g., scrubs for dental lab; closed-toed shoes for gross lab). The wearing of clothing having caricatures, messages, symbols, etc., that, based on societal norms, can be construed to be vulgar or offensive or to contribute to creating a hostile learning/academic environment demonstrates inappropriate professional judgment that may be subject to review and action by the Dean of Students along with the student's respective Academic Dean.

Some programs/colleges have established a dress code for particular activities (e.g., business casual; scrubs for dental lab; closed-toed shoes for gross lab).

For the Glendale Campus:

The College of Veterinary Medicine and the Physician Assistant Program have adopted a Business Casual Dress Code for their students who are in the didactic (non-clinical) year(s). Business Casual typically means dress shirts (shirts with collars) or polo-type shirts (not T-shirts). Dress slacks (not jeans or shorts), and shoes but not necessarily ties or suits for the men, and dress shirts, appropriate blouses, or polo-type shirts, slacks, skirts and dresses, but not necessarily suits for women. Flip-flops should not be worn to class or lab. Shoes are required for all labs. Students in the Physician Assistant Program or College of Veterinary Medicine should check with their administration for details concerning what does and does not constitute Business Casual attire.

If a student is in a facility participating in patient care, no matter how briefly, they must comply with the following dress code:

  • The photo identification badge must be worn so that it is visible to anyone approaching.
  • Clean, professional coats or jackets that clearly identify students according to their professional program and status and that distinguish them from physicians and other health care professionals must be worn by students when with a patient, unless other dress is specified by the program/college or service (e.g., scrubs in surgery, obstetrics, or dental labs/clinics).
  • Male students are encouraged to wear a tie. When they do not wear a tie, only the top button of their shirt should be open at the neck.
  • T-shirts, sweatshirts, halter tops, tank and tube tops, and backless or midriff-baring tops are not allowed.
  • Casual slacks, blue jeans, fatigues, white trousers, short skirts, short dresses, and shorts are not permitted.
  • Dress shoes are required, except in the dental clinic/simulation lab, surgery or obstetrics, where clean athletic shoes may be allowed. Wearing of socks/stockings should be determined by the dress code of the specific facility.
  • Sandals are not acceptable.
  • Any visible body piercing, except ears, must be preapproved.
  • Visible tattoos should be covered unless preapproved.
  • Scrubs are not to be worn except when the student is on the obstetrics service, in surgical scrub, in the emergency department or in the dental clinic/simulation lab, unless otherwise indicated.
  • Scrubs are not to be worn in other areas of medical centers, particularly not on the floors where there are patients or in the cafeteria (except in an emergency situation and only if the scrub suit is covered by a white coat), unless otherwise indicated.
  • Hair is to be neat, clean, and properly maintained.
  • Perfumes and fragrances should be in moderation. Some people are allergic to the chemicals in fragrances.

Failure to observe these dress code policies may result in the student being asked to leave the premises. Habitual violators are subject to disciplinary action. Individual sites may have dress code requirements that are more stringent than those outlined above. Students must also comply with the dress code of the facility in which they are rotating.

Students are expected to dress in a professional manner at the commencement ceremonies. No unauthorized decoration (writing or other adornment) is permitted on the graduation gown, hood, tam or mortarboard.