DPT Complaint Process

The public or any other stakeholder of the Florida Southern College School of Physical Therapy has the right to file a complaint and receive due process without fear of retaliation. According to Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards, this is referred to as a “complaint which falls outside the realm of due process.” The School of Physical Therapy encourages any individual who is unhappy with their experience or encounter with any student, faculty, or staff member of the School of Physical Therapy to file a written complaint. The school takes all program-related complaints seriously and will act upon any complaint expediently. Once a complaint has been made, the Dean will gather information and address the complaint. Any complaint and documentation associated with the resolution of “complaints which fall outside the realm of due process” will be kept on file in the Dean of the School Physical Therapy ‘s office for 5 years. The formal policy and procedures are outlined in the School of Physical Therapy Student Handbook. Complaints by students, faculty, or staff as part of the normal operation of the School of Physical Therapy will follow individual and respective policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook and according to Human Resources policies.

“Complaints Which Fall Outside the Realm of Due Process” should be addressed to:

Procedures for handling a “Complaint which Falls Outside the Realm of Due Process”

1. When possible, the School of Physical Therapy Dean will discuss the complaint directly with the party or parties involved within 14 business days. If possible, the matter will be reconciled at this point. If needed, the School of Physical Therapy Dean will meet with all parties separately and may schedule an appointment with the parties involved to attempt to resolve the issue. A letter from the School of Physical Therapy Dean acknowledging the resolution of the complaint will be filed and a copy sent to the complainant.

2. If dissatisfied with the action or decision made by the School of Physical Therapy Dean, or if the complaint is against the School of Physical Therapy Dean, the involved party may submit a written complaint or appeal to the Associate Provost of Academic Affairs. A letter outlining the resolution by the Associate Provost shall be filed with the complaint in the School of Physical Therapy Dean’s office for 5 years.

   Dean
   School of Physical Therapy
   Florida Southern College
   111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
   Lakeland, Florida 33801-5698

3. If the complainant believes that additional review is necessary beyond the Dean or Associate Provost, then the complaint should be sent to the Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, who will render a final decision. A letter outlining the resolution by the Provost shall be filed with the complaint in the School of Physical Therapy Dean’s office for 5 years.

4. Outside of the institution, a complaint can also be filed with the physical therapy accrediting body: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria VA. 22305-3085.