Doctor of Physical Therapy Program—Professional Behaviors Policy
In order to promote professional skills in the classroom, local and global communities, and clinical settings, the physical therapy program requires the demonstration of professional behaviors in accordance with the professional behaviors policy. The purpose of professional behavior procedure is to help remediate students who have been identified as having professional behavior issues in an academic, cooperative, or clinical education setting. Professional skills standards are outlined in the student handbook and may include, but are not limited to, the Professional Behaviors Guidelines, Dress Code Guidelines, APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, and/or the APTA Guide for Professional Conduct.
1. Any faculty members who have a concern about a student’s professional behavior will arrange to meet with the student to discuss the issue. If the faculty member has met with the student and there is satisfactory resolution of the unprofessional conduct, only a form for tracking purposes is needed.
2. The tracking form shall be kept on record in order to track these students while they are in the program.
3. A request for committee reviews as indicated on the tracking form must occur under the following conditions:
a. A faculty member has attempted to correct the behavior and it has not been corrected after meeting with the student and taking initial steps to improve the identified professional behavior issues.
b. The incident is egregious (i.e., yelling at a faculty member).
c. A second breach of professional standards has occurred.
4. Full Review Process:
a. The chairperson of the Physical Therapy Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences Academic Affairs Committee will send a letter to students about whom concerns have been raised and instruct each student to complete a Self-Assessment of Professional Behaviors. A meeting date will be set to discuss the concern. If the AAC finds there is sufficient evidence to support a violation of the professional standards previously defined, one will be noted in the student’s record.
b. The AAC will develop an appropriate remediation plan in collaboration with the student and appropriate faculty.
c. Depending on the situation, students may have the opportunity to improve professional behaviors.
d. Any of the following may result in a dismissal from the program:
i. A third breach of professional standards
ii. A second offense of the same professional standard
iii. An egregious breach of professional standards as outlined in the student manual and/or behaviors that may include but are not limited to violation of the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and/or the APTA Guide for Professional Conduct
5. If a student believes that they have been erroneously, capriciously, or otherwise unfairly treated in the process or decision, they may appeal decisions using the process outlined in the Collegewide Appeals Process.
a. The next level of appeal would be to the PTMRS department chairperson.
b. If the student is not satisfied with the disposition of the matter after the department chairperson decision, the next level of appeal would be the Bouvé College AAC. The committee will notify the student of the findings and recommended decision. The college dean will have the final decision.
c. If the student is not satisfied with the college’s disposition of the matter or if the appeal is not resolved within the timeline outlined in the Academic Appeals Policies and Procedures, the student may appeal to the university level, as outlined in this catalog.
6. If the student has been suspected of cheating or in any way violating the Academic Code of Conduct, the faculty member should complete the tracking form as well as follow the steps outlined by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
7. Any concern regarding students' professional behavior will be brought to the attention of the faculty as appropriate at the faculty meeting.