STANDARDS AND REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION OF
PHYSICAL THERAPIST EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Revised 11/11/15; 3/4/16; 10/31/17; 12/7/17; 5/14/20; 11/3/20;
9/28/2022)
9/28/2022 9
3E
Policies, procedures, and practices
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that affect the rights, responsibilities, safety, privacy, and
dignity of program faculty
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and staff are written, disseminated, and applied consistently and
equitably.
Evidence of Compliance:
Narrative:
• Provide an example of how policies are applied equitably.
Appendices & On-site Material: See SSR Instructions & Forms
3F
Policies, procedures, and practices exist for handling complaints
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that fall outside the realm of due
process
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, including a prohibition of retaliation following complaint submission. The policies are
written, disseminated, and applied consistently and equitably. Records of complaints about the
program, including the nature of the complaint and the disposition of the complaint, are maintained
by the program.
Evidence of Compliance:
Narrative:
• Provide the relevant institutional or program policy and procedure that addresses handling complaints that fall
outside due process (e.g., complaints from prospective, clinical education sites, employers of graduates, the
general public).
• Identify where the policy and procedure for handling complaints that fall outside the realm of due process is
available to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide the URL from the program’s or institutional website the statement is located.
• Describe how the records of complaints are, or would be, maintained by the program.
Appendices & On-site Material: See SSR Instructions & Forms
3G
Program specific policies and procedures are compatible with institutional policies and with
applicable law.
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Evidence of Compliance:
Narrative:
• List the program-specific policies and procedures that differ from those of the institution (e.g., admissions
procedures, grading policies, policies for progression through the program, policies related to clinical education)
and describe how the policies and procedures differ and why.
• For program policies and procedures that differ from those of the institution:
o If applicable, explain how the program determines that program policies and procedures comply with
applicable law.
o Describe how institutional approval is obtained for program policies and procedures that differ from those of
the institution.
Appendices & On-site Material: See SSR Instructions & Forms
3H
Program policies, procedures, and practices provide for compliance with accreditation policies and
procedures including:
3H1
maintenance of accurate information, easily accessible
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to the public, on the program
website regarding accreditation status (including CAPTE logo and required accreditation
statement) and current student achievement measures;
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Practices: Common actions or activities; customary ways of operation or behavior.
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Program faculty: All faculty involved with the PT program, including the Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator, Core Faculty, Associated
Faculty, and Clinical Education Faculty.
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Complaint: A concern about the program, expressed by students or others with a legitimate relationship to the program, the subject of which is not
among those that are addressed through the institution’s formal due processes.
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Due process: Timely, fair, impartial procedures at the program or institutional level for the adjudication of a variety of issues including, but not limited
to: (1) faculty, staff, and student violations of published standards of conduct, (2) appeals of decisions related to faculty and staff hiring,
retention, merit, tenure, promotion, and dismissal, and (3) appeals of decisions related to student admission, retention, grading, progression,
and dismissal. Due process generally requires adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
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Applicable law: Those federal and state statutes/regulations relevant to physical therapy education (ADA, OSHA, FERPA, HIPAA, Practice Acts, etc.)
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Easily accessible: Can be accessed by the public without disclosure of identity or contact information and is no more than one “click” away from the