Additional Information About the Program
DPT Academic Policies
Communication and Email Policy
Students must use their official Binghamton University email for all DPT program communication. Email is the primary method of contact, and students are expected to check it daily. Not reading emails within two business days does not excuse failure to comply with their content. For more information, refer to the student handbook Policy 4.2.1.
Academic Honesty Policy
All students are expected to adhere to the Academic Honesty Policy of Binghamton University.
Generative AI Policy
Students may use generative AI for learning support, idea generation, and preparatory work if they clearly acknowledge its use and verify all content. AI may not be used to complete graded assignments, generate clinical documentation, bypass learning objectives, or handle confidential information, and violations are treated as academic misconduct. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 4.2.2.1.
Violation of Physical Therapist Standards (VPTS)
A VPTS report may be issued for unprofessional behavior. Initially, a faculty member gives a warning and documents it. If the behavior repeats, a VPTS is filed. For more information about VPTS, please refer to the student handbook Policy 4.2.5.
HIPAA
Students must protect all protected health information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA by maintaining confidentiality, limiting access to those who need to know, and safeguarding all written and electronic information. Violations, including improper sharing, storage, or handling of PHI, may result in disciplinary action, removal from clinical sites, or severance from the program. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 4.2.9.
Curricular Progression
Students must successfully complete all DPT coursework in the sequence and term indicated in the DPT degree curriculum requirements for their respective year of matriculation into the program.
Readiness for Clinical Education
Students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate professionalism and clinical safety to progress to full-time clinical education. Core faculty formally review each student prior to placement, and those deemed “not ready” may face a change in academic status or be subject to further action but have the right to appeal the decision. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 6.2.
Limitation on Time to Complete Degree Requirements
Students matriculated in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are required to meet all degree requirements for graduation within five (5) years of the date of matriculation.
Meetings with Academic Coach
Students are required to meet with their academic coach at least twice per term during year one of the program and once per term thereafter. The student is responsible for contacting their academic coach to schedule these meetings and can expect to have a meeting scheduled with their academic coach within three (3) business days.
Review of Professional Behavior Development Plan (PBDP)
Students are required to maintain and update their PBDP and review it with their academic coach at least once yearly. The student will utilize self-reflection techniques and academic and clinical performance metrics and competencies to complete their PBDP.
Grades
The Division of Physical Therapy adheres to the general grading system of the Binghamton University Graduate School which applies to all graduate-level courses. Grades are on a letter scale: A through C- and F. For more information about grades, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.1.
OSCE/Practical Examination Grade Requirements
Students in the DPT program must demonstrate minimum proficiency on the OSCEs by either passing or earning at least an 80%, and must demonstrate safety or they will fail and have to repeat the exam. If the proficiency is not met, students may repeat an assessment up to two times (three total attempts per course), with repeat scores capped at 80%. Failure to meet proficiency results in a course grade of “F” and may lead to suspension or severance. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.1.2.
Remediation
Students are encouraged to seek informal remediation on their own, but certain assessments may require formal remediation as determined by the course coordinator. If a student scores below 70% on a designated assessment, remediation is required, though the original grade remains unchanged and completion is necessary to pass the course. This policy does not apply to OSCEs/practical exams, and pass/fail assessments may require remediation at the coordinator’s discretion. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.1.3.
Incomplete Grade for Graduate Students
An incomplete (“I”) may be granted at the instructor’s discretion when a student in good academic standing cannot finish a course due to non-academic reasons, and requires a formal request with defined completion terms. Students cannot progress until the incomplete is resolved. If requirements are not met by the deadline, the grade becomes NC (no credit) and may results in severance from the program. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.1.4.
Student Academic Performance Review
At the end of each term, the Program Director reviews all students for academic and professional deficiencies that may warrant a change in academic status. Students and relevant administrators are notified in writing, and students have the right to appeal any decision. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.2.
Academic Status
Please refer to the Binghamton University Graduate School Policy on Academic Standing found in the Academic Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students , specifically Probation and Academic Jeopardy.
Academic progression depends not only on GPA but also on professional behavior and clinical competence. Students with deficiencies may be placed on “At-Risk for Severance” status and given one term to resolve the deficiencies. Failure to do so may result in suspension or severance. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.3.2.
Suspension
Students who fail to meet academic requirements may be suspended and cannot progress until deficiencies are resolved, typically be repeating coursework. Upon return, students are placed on “At-Risk for Severance” status, and failure to resolve the deficencies within one term may lead to severance. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.3.3.
Severance
Students may be severed from the program for ongoing academic or professional deficiencies, such as repeated course failures, unresolved probation or suspension issues, or unsafe clinical performance. Severance follows Graduate School policies. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.3.4.
Change of Academic Status
Students are formally notified by the Graduate School of any change in academic status and must meet with their academic coach within two weeks if placed on probation or jeopardy. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.3.6.
Full-time Clinical Education Experience (FTCEE)
Students may earn an Unsatisfactory grade in clinical experiences due to serious or repeated performance issues. The student may be required to complete remediation and repeat the clinical experience. A repeated unsatisfactory grade or severe misconduct may result in severance from the program. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.4.
Course Repeat Policy
Students who fail a required course may repeat it in accordance with Graduate School policy. For clinical education courses, scheduling of repeats depends on site availability and is determined by the Director of Clinical Education. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.5.
Appeals of Academic Policy
Students may appeal academic decisions by submitting a written request within two business days, including justification for the appeal. The Program Director and faculty review the appeal, and the decision is communicated in writing. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.6.
Grievance Policy
Students may file grievances through either the Decker School or the Graduate School if they believe they have been harmed. Established procedures must be followed, and students are encouraged to seek guidance from an academic coach or trusted faculty member. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.7.
Deferral or Leave of Absence
Leaves of absence are granted only in exceptional circumstances and can last a maximum of up to three terms. Requests must be submitted in advance through the proper process, and students are usually not allowed to request a leave after a term has begun. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.8.
Readmission Following Severance from the Program
Readmission after severance from the program is governed by the Graduate School’s official readmission policy. For more information, please refer to the student handbook Policy 8.9.
NPTE Policy
DPT students may request early permission to take the NPTE if they:
- Have completed all coursework (with PT 680 and PT 696 in progress),
- Are within 90 days of graduation
- Are in good academic and professional standing,
- Meet CIET expectations,
- Score > 600 on the PEAT, and
- Complete required NPTE prep.
Approval requires Program Director review and written student acknowledgement. Requests must be submitted by week three of PT 696, and approval may be revoked if eligibility changes. For more information, refer to the student handbook Policy 9.
DPT Clinical Education Policies
Academic Requirements
Students must meet all academic standards outline in the Student Handbook to participate in clinical education. Additionally, each student must complete at least one outpatient and one acute/subacute clinical experience (acute care, inpatient rehab, home health, or skilled nursing facility). For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 1.4.1.
“Out of Area” Clinical Requirement
All students are required to complete a minimum of one “out of area” clinical education experience. Out of area is defined as greater than 65 miles from the Health Sciences Campus.
Professional and Health Requirements
Students must maintain up-to-date professional and health documentation in Exxat and meet all University and clinical site requirements at least eight weeks prior to each clinical experience. Failure to comply may result in cancellation of the clinical placement, academic status changes, and/or delayed graduation. Students must report health changes or clinical incidents to the DCE/ADCE, obtain medical clearance when required, and follow both site and University reporting procedures to ensure safe participation in clinical education. For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 2.3.
Clinical Education Cancellation Policy
Clinical placements may be canceled at any time due to unforeseen circumstances and are not considered final until the start date. Sites are asked to provide timely notice of cancellations.
If a cancellation or student-site conflict occurs, the DCE/ADCE will attempt to secure a similar placement in the same geographic area. Students may be required to travel or incur additional expenses as a result. For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 2.4.8.
Student Clinical Education Paperwork
The DCE/ADCE will provide the student with all required documents that must completed prior to, during, and following their clinical education experience. The DCE/ADCE provides the required documents via Exxat and/or Brightspace. This includes, but may not be limited to:
- Site orientation form
- First week assignments
- Weekly reflection form
- Physical Therapist Student Evaluation of Clinical Instruction and Physical Therapist Student Evaluation of Site
- Inservice requirements
Clinical Education Remediation
Clinical education remediation is initiated when concerns about a student’s performance or professionalism arise that could lead to an “Unsatisfactory” grade. The DCE/ADCE, CI, and SCCE collaborate with the student to create an action plan with specific goals. Failure to meet these goals may result in early termination of the experience, additional remediation, or placement in a subsequent clinical rotation. For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 2.10.1.
Termination of Clinical Education Experience
Clinical sites may remove a student at any time for failing to meet professional or clinical standards. The CI/SCCE must notify the DCE/ADCE before removal. Termination may result in an Unsatisfactory grade, and the student may need an action plan.
If a student is concened about perceived unsafe or inappropriate activities at the clinical placement, the student should contact the DCE/ADCE. If removal from the clinical placement is necessary, the DCE/ADCE will attempt to place the student in a similar clinical setting. For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 2.10.2.
Clinical Education Policies
Students must meet all health, professional, and behavioral requirements, follow clinical schedules, and maintain professional attire and hygiene during clinical education. Attendance, punctuality, and adherence to site policies, including cell phone use, are mandatory, with unexcused absences or violations potentially resulting in removal and an Unsatisfactory grade. Students are responsible for all clinical-related expenses, transportation, housing, and health insurance, and should expect to commute as needed for clinical placements. For more information, please refer to the clinical education handbook Policy 5.2.
For more information on the Physical Therapy DPT program, please refer to the Division of Physical Therapy website. To apply to the Physical Therapy DPT program, please visit the University Admissions website.
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