Administrative Policies

School Hours

Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Administrative staff are available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays and reception staff are available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday. 

Class Hours

Regular classes for the Massage and Hydrotherapy program run from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Friday. Additional time will be scheduled for special presentations and directed independent studies. Optional seminars and weekend workshops are scheduled throughout the program.

Grading Procedures

Student progress is evaluated by written examinations and practical observations. Massage therapy and other experiential classes are graded on a Pass/Incomplete basis. Classes such as Anatomy and Physiology and Kinesiology are graded as follows: A=100-90%, B=89-80%,  C=79-70%. 

Students must maintain a Passing grade in each modality, and a "C" average or better in all classes in which letter grades are given. Students who earn incompletes are placed on Academic Probation and are ineligible to graduate until all requirements are met.

Make-Up Procedures

Students are expected to attend all classes and to be in class on time. A student who misses 15% or more classes or material in a given modality will be considered incomplete in that modality. Students who are late to class may be asked to attend the class as an observer and may be required to make up missed material. It may be possible to make up missed classes by reviewing videos and attending after-school question and answer sessions or by other means at the discretion of the instructor.

If a student is incomplete in any modality certification will be withheld until they become complete. A student may become complete either by repeating the modality with a later class or by receiving private tutoring from an FSM instructor approved by the lead teacher in that modality. Private tutoring must be obtained at the expense of the student and a fee may be charged for repeating the class. All make-ups must be complete within two weeks of the modality.

In cases where a student is incomplete in the first massage therapy modality or in any two or more subsequent modalities the student may be asked to withdraw from the course with appropriate tuition refund. The student may elect to continue with another class in which case partial or total tuition may be applied to the later class at the discretion of the administration.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence or interruption of training not to exceed ten days may be granted only by prior arrangement with the staff and approved by the school administration. All tests, assignments, and clinical work missed during the term must be made up on a schedule approved by the staff.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete all course of study and have all tuition and fees paid in full to be eligible for graduation. Upon graduation, a certificate of completion will be granted.

Withdrawal Procedure

Students withdrawing from the program are asked to have an interview with a school administrator and sign a statement documenting the date of the withdrawal for their academic records.

Conditions for Dismissal

A student may be dismissed for any of the following reasons:

• Failure to fulfill the requirements of academic probation
    
• Failure to keep tuition payments up to date
    
• Attending classes under the influence of alcohol or drugs
    
• Having three unexcused absences within a one month period
    
• Having four days of unexcused lateness within a one month period
    
• Behaving in any manner that may be harmful to the learning environment or reputation of the school

Sexual Harassment Policy

As a student at FSM if you feel you have been sexually harassed by means of inappropriate language, touch, or behavior on the part of another student or member of the FSM staff, you are encouraged to submit a written dated complaint to the administration.* An interview will be scheduled at the earliest date possible to explore the complaint and counseling will be available.

The alleged offender will be contacted and an interview scheduled. The school takes the position that sexual inappropriateness in many cases may be a matter of ignorance about social behavior and as such will provide counseling and individual tutoring as a first course of action in hopes that an understanding of boundaries in the therapeutic contact can be established.

Repeated offenses may result in requesting that the student voluntarily withdraw from the program with appropriate tuition refunds or in involuntary expulsion from the program.

The context of this policy is one of compassion. We believe that a person who is not able to respect sexual boundaries may not be able to successfully practice massage therapy treatments, may bring psychological or emotional harm to another human, or may themselves be held legally accountable for their actions. It is our hope that any of these outcomes might be prevented by the implementation of this policy.

* Complaint may be submitted in a sealed envelope to anyone in the administrative office who will forward it to the Director or Assistant Director. Response will be made within 5 days.

Substance Abuse Policy

Illegal drugs or alcohol are not permitted on FSM premises during operational hours of the school. It is not the intention of FSM to dictate anyone's lifestyle or interfere with freedom of choice. It is our belief that entering into a therapeutic relationship with someone under the influence of mind altering substances is a breech of trust. It compromises the learning experience for students in the role of both therapist and client. Anyone under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during school will be asked to leave the premises. Repeated offenses may result in the student's voluntary withdrawal or expulsion.

Re-Entrance

Students who have been dismissed for any of the previous reasons may be reinstated only after an interview with an administrator. Reinstatement is up to the discretion of the administration.

The Florida School of Massage is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), which is recognized by the US Department of Education as a approved accrediting agency. However, at this time, FSM chooses not to participate in Title IV Federal Financial Assistance or State Student Financial Assistance.

Financial assistance for those who qualify may be available through the SLM Financial Corporation, a Sallie Mae Company. This program is not Federal Financial Assistance or State Financial Assistance. Students are obligated to repay the loan, and will be notified of the terms and amounts of repayments, and when repayments will begin, before signing.

Refund Policies

The following policies apply to all programs offered by the Florida School of Massage.

• If for any reason an applicant is not accepted by the Florida School of Massage, a full refund will be made of all monies paid;
    
• For applicants who cancel within three business days after signing an enrollment agreement and making initial payment, all monies will be fully refunded except the registration fee;
    
• For applicants who are accepted but fail to enroll, tuition is fully refunded.
    
• Students who cancel, or who are terminated after beginning instruction, but prior to 50% of course completion, shall receive a prorated refund based upon the number of clock hours completed to the number of total course clock hours and the amount of monies paid minus the registration fee;
    
• No refunds will be made after 50% of the program is completed;
    
• All refunds will be made within thirty days after the cancellation or termination;
    
• Cancellation should be in writing by certified mail or in person;
    
• Official date of withdrawal from the program is the last date of attendance unless the school receives written notification indicating earlier withdrawal from the program;
    
• No textbook will be accepted for refund that has been written in or is returned for refund more than two weeks after original purchase date. All book returns will be refunded within thirty days after books are returned to the school.

Credit for Previous Training

Credit for previous training will be evaluated and granted where appropriate. If credit is granted, training time and tuition reduced proportionately.

Transferability of Credit

Transferability of credit earned at FSM is at the discretion of the accepting institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not another institution of the student’s choice will accept credits earned at FSM.

Students must have completed all programs of study and have all tuition and fees paid in full to be eligible for graduation. Upon graduation, a diploma will be granted.

Policy For Veterans

Veterans Standards of Progress

Students falling below a "C" average on class work will be put on academic probation for one month. At the end of the month, the VA will be notified to terminate benefits if the student has not attained a "C" average.

Veterans Attendance Policy

Excused absences will be granted for extenuating circumstances only. Excused absences will be substantiated by entries in student's files. Early departures, class cuts, and tardiness for any portion of an hour will be counted as a full hour of absence. Students exceeding three days unexcused absences in a calendar month will be terminated for unsatisfactory attendance.

Veterans Reentrance Policy

After one month's time, students who have been dismissed for unsatisfactory progress may be reinstated only after an interview with an administrator. Reinstatement is up to the discretion of the administration.

Veterans Refund Policy

The refund of the unused portion of tuition, fees and other charges for veterans or the eligible persons who fail to enter a program, or withdraw or discontinue prior to completion, will be made for all amounts paid which exceed the pro rata portion of the total charges for the length of the program. The prorated amount will be determined by the ratio of the number of days or hours of instruction completed by the student to the total number of instructional days or hours in the program.

6421 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-378-7891 Toll Free: 877-589-2713
info@floridaschoolofmassage.com

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