File A Complaint

Complaints that fall outside of due process

PNWU’s School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) encourages any individual who is unhappy with their experience or encounter with any student, faculty, or staff member of the SOPT to file a written complaint. The school takes all complaints seriously and will act upon any complaints in an expedient manner. Anyone may file a complaint regarding any aspect of the DPT program.  This may include, but is not limited to, complaints from clinical education sites, prospective students, employers of graduates, and the public. Complaints should be in writing and addressed to the attention of the Program Director at:   

School of Physical Therapy Program Director
PNWU – Watson Hall, Ste 130
200 University Parkway
Yakima, WA  98901

If the complaint involves the program as a whole or the program director, the matter should be addressed directly to the provost:  

Provost
PNWU – Iron Horse Lodge
111 University Parkway, Ste 202
Yakima, WA  98901 

 Process for handling complaints that fall outside the realm of due process: 

1. When a complaint is received, the program director will contact the person(s) making the complaint within ten (10) business days.  If the complaint is focal and may be resolved with one individual, the program director contacts the individual, investigates the complaint, proposes a resolution, and informs all parties of the resolution by written communication. The program director will keep a record of the complaint and resolution on a written tracking form and it will be maintained in the School of Physical Therapy. 
2. Complaints which cannot be resolved by the process above, such as complaints about the program as a whole or complaints about the program director are referred to the provost.  The provost will investigate and propose a resolution.  The provost will communicate their findings to all parties via written communication.  A written record tracking form will be maintained in the School of Physical Therapy.   

Complaints will be handled in an expedited manner.  Complaints will be kept on file for at least five (5) years.  Complaints can be filed without fear of retribution. 

Complaints about accreditation standards

Complaints about the School or University related to compliance with the accreditation standards must be submitted in writing to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The complaints should be addressed as follows:

Director of Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Phone: (800) 999-2782

Process for filing a complaint with CAPTE:

• http://www.capteonline.org/home.aspx
• http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/