DPT Complaints

Complaints Regarding the Program’s Accreditation

The University of Washington DPT program is accredited by Commission of Academic Physical Therapy (CAPTE), a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The public and academic community can file a formal written complaint regarding any aspect of the program and/or conduct of one of its faculty/students.

Complaints via written testimony or submission of a formal complaint should be submitted following the procedures detailed at the CAPTE website or by contacting: American Physical Therapy Association, Attn: Accreditation Department, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1488; Fax: 703-706-3387; or email: accreditation@apta.org. 

Process of Addressing Complaints From Outside Individuals

An individual who is not a UW student, faculty member or staff member can make a complaint about the UW DPT program. The complaint should be submitted in writing to the division director, Bernadette Williams-York, and include the name, contact information of the person filing the complaint, names of the person(s) about whom the complaint is filed and details of the complaints (including dates and locations).   

Upon receipt of the complaint, the division director will either handle it directly or forward it to the appropriate university office. If not handling it directly, the division director will communicate with the individual making the complaint about its status. If the division director handles the complaint directly, they will send a letter summarizing the decisions about the complaint to the person involved.   

The aim of this process is to resolve all matters quickly. However, some issues require more time for a full investigation. If this occurs, the person who initiated the complaint will receive a response describing what's being done and when they can expect a decision.   

The Division of Physical Therapy maintains records of complaints in compliance with University of Washington Policies and Procedures and applicable law. Information reported in this complaint process will be treated as confidential to the extent allowed by law; however, mandatory reporting may be legally required for certain types of complaints.