Conduct Policies

ATTENDANCE

Attendance and punctuality are mandatory. It is the responsibility of the student to master any missed class material and complete any missed class assignments. Students who arrive after role has been taken or leave before class has been dismissed will be recorded as absent for that class. It is at the discretion of each instructor how many classes may be missed before a student will be required to make up work with a one-on-one tutorial ($50-60 per hour). If a student is absent for a total of 10 classes during the course of the program he or she will be put on probation. Students who are absent for a total of 16 classes will be required to provide a written and oral defense to avoid dismissal from the program.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Under certain circumstances a leave of absence may be granted by the Director. Requests must be made in writing, and an interview will be required. All decisions regarding leave, including the new time frame that the program must be completed, are at the sole discretion of the Director. If the program is not completed in due time, the student will be dismissed from the school.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a way that supports the mission and community of the school. Personal and professional integrity are essential. Students may be warned, placed on probation indefinitely, suspended, or dismissed for violations that include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Attending classes or practicing massage under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failure to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for massage therapists
  • Physical harm or threat of physical harm to anyone
  • Harassment of any kind which goes beyond the boundaries of protected free speech and would likely cause violence or unrest
  • Theft or damage of the school’s or another student’s property
  • Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, or misrepresenting the work of others’ as one’s own
  • Health issues that would interfere with the practice of massage therapy
  • Possession or use of any weapon on school property
  • Failure to maintain safety regulations and appropriate hygiene
  • Sexual activity or advances in a massage therapy setting
  • Poor academic performance
  • Failure to fulfill tuition obligations
  • Accepting any form of compensation for massage services provided as a student (a violation of NC law)

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Before any disciplinary measures are taken with a student, the Director will inform the student of the situation, and give the opportunity for student input before deciding upon a course of action.

  • A written warning will inform the student that he or she may face more serious consequences if he or she does not fulfill specific requirements to keep compliance with school policies, procedures, or student conduct policies.
  • A student placed on probation may continue in the program on a conditional basis. The length and conditions of the probation are at the discretion of the Director.
  • When a dismissal is issued to a student, he or she must cease all participation in the program. If a student fails to meet the terms and conditions of probation, he or she will be dismissed.

APPEALS

A dismissal may be appealed. Within one week of the notification of the dismissal a student wishing to file an appeal must provide the Director with a written explanation for the appeal, as well as any new or relevant information pertaining to the original determination of dismissal. The Director will review the information, conduct further interviews if necessary, and decide to let the dismissal stand or change the dismissal to probation. The Director will grant this decision within two weeks of the appeal request.

REINSTATEMENT AFTER DISMISSAL

At the time of dismissal the student will be notified if reapplication would be welcome as well as the conditions the student would be required to meet before being considered for readmission. If the student chooses to reapply and is accepted, he or she will be notified of the course and financial requirements at that time.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Issues that cannot be resolved through the outlined procedures can be directed to the NC Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy at P.O. Box 2539, Raleigh, NC 27602.