Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
Marian University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on May 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program are required to participate in clinical experiences in order to successfully complete the program. Prior to participating in clinical experiences, all students are required to obtain and pay for a background check and any other mandatory screening processes. Upon completion, students are required to submit necessary documentation via the appropriate vendor, as identified by the department. The timeline for completion of the background checks and other screening processes will be articulated by the program.
Positive results from a criminal background check that are sufficiently severe in nature may result in the inability of a student to progress in the program and may result in dismissal. Examples of sufficiently severe offenses include, but are not limited to; violent felony convictions, convictions for crimes of deception, convictions for sex crimes, and placement on a sex offender registry. Any subsequent criminal arrests that occur after enrollment must be reported to the unit Dean or designee.
The appropriate personnel on campus and at a clinical site will evaluate the information and surrounding circumstances to determine if the student can participate in a clinical experience. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in clinical experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. The physical therapist assistant program will take reasonable steps to find alternate placements, but a failure to place students because of a positive criminal background check may result in a student being unable to satisfy the graduation requirements of the program.
Even if allowed to progress in the program, students should be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the State certification body. Students are advised to consult the appropriate certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details.
Successful completion of a program of study does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.
Department of Physical Therapy Complaint Policy
The public or any interested party of the Marian University DPT and/or PTA program (e.g., prospective or enrolled students, volunteers, clinical education sites, employers) have the right to file a complaint with the respective program. A complaint is defined as a concern about an experience with the program or encounter with faculty, staff, or students of the program and fall outside the realm of due process. The program encourages individuals with a complaint to first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the party of interest. If unable to resolve, then submission of formal complaints must include:
- Formal complaints must be in writing, signed, and dated
- Anonymous complaints will not be accepted
- The complaint must be described with supporting evidence, if available
- Complaints should be submitted to the respective Program Director via email or regular mail:
Stephanie A. Miller, PT, PhD
Program Director, DPT Program
Marian University
3200 Cold Spring Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
smiller1@marian.edu
Marjorie Britt, PT, DHSc
Program Director, PTA Program
Marian University
3200 Cold Spring Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
mbritt@marian.edu
*Complaints by enrolled faculty, or staff will follow respective grievance policies and procedures in the Faculty Handbooks. Academic-related complaints by enrolled students will follow respective grievance or appeal policies and procedures in the Student Handbooks.
The DPT and PTA programs are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional education, taking any complaint seriously. The process of handling complaints includes:
- Timely notification to the complainant that the complaint has been received and is under review.
- The complaint will be reviewed with the program administrative team (including Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, and Department Chair, or Designee)
- Additional action may include but not limited to further investigation by a designated task force, communication with the complainant or responsible parties, consideration by the core faculty and/or Dean.
- The administrative team and/or task force will generate a report, including:
- The details of the complaint
- Findings that support or refute the complaint
- Recommended corrective action, if applicable
- Within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complaint, the final determination will be provided to the complainant in writing and will detail the findings of the review and corrective action identified, if applicable.
- This response will include the name and contact information for the next level of administration support to allow the complainant to pursue the complaint if they find the response unsatisfactory
- If the complaint pertains to a standing committee of the department or program, the final report will be provided to the appropriate committee.
- Electronic records of complaints will be confidentially maintained by the respective Program Director for 5 years.
- Retaliation against any individual who files a complaint is prohibited.
Alternatively, an individual may also file a confidential, formal complaint directly to CAPTE related to an alleged violation of one or more of the Accreditation Standards and Required Elements or one or more of CAPTE’s expectations related to program integrity. To submit a formal complaint to CAPTE, see the contact information below:
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Phone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditationsupport@apta.org
Website: Process of filing a complaint with CAPTE
