The Keiser University College of Chiropractic Medicine is a private college established in 1977. It is part of the Keiser University complex with its main campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The college has the only Doctor of Chiropractic program in South Florida, making it an excellent choice for students who want to pursue a fruitful career in the state. However, to stay enrolled, students must remain in good standing and maintain the highest standard of ethical and professional behavior.
As a chiropractic student at Keiser, you have multiple opportunities to gain experience in an environment that helps you thrive. However, mistakes happen, and your professors understand this is part of the learning process. But because not all errors have a similar outcome, repercussions vary from a discussion with a professor to dismissal from the program. Regardless of the details, you need the help of a professional attorney-advisor who understands what is at stake and helps you overcome obstacles.
Professionalism Concerns
The graduate catalog contains information on professional behavior expectations at Keiser. Students must demonstrate professional behavior befitting their future profession and adhere to the policy at all times. The set of professional behaviors outlined by the university are:
- Following all university policies and procedures
- Adhering to the rules established by the clinical education site where students are assigned
- Demonstrating accountability and responsibility
- Maintaining appropriate communication standards, interaction, and behavior toward students and faculty members
In some cases, students receive penalization without a solid reason. In others, there is not enough evidence to implicate you. Since the possible sanctions include dismissal from the program or university, you must never approach these issues alone. Instead, you should remain calm and speak to a professional advisor immediately. The sooner you have someone to help you navigate the case, the higher the chance of a favorable case outcome.
Consequences for Lack of Professionalism
Lack of professionalism at Keiser Chiropractic comes with multiple sanctions. Per the policy, if chiropractic students demonstrate unprofessional behavior, they receive a written warning or placement on probation, depending on the severity of the action. Suppose the program director or Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Graduate Education believes the violation is extreme. In that case, they withdraw the student from the program.
Dismissal from a program has multiple negative consequences. In the short term, they disrupt your academic journey and cause reputation damage. Long-term effects include not being able to get into another program due to the allegations against you, loss of time and funds, loss of scholarships, and loss of morale. Because Keiser is the only college offering a Doctor of Chiropractic program in South Florida, you may need to move to a different area and start over.
Lack of Academic Performance and Remediation
Even if students demonstrate exemplary professional behavior, they must maintain their grades to continue progressing in their program. According to the policy at Keiser, students may face permanent dismissal if they fail to meet the minimum educational standards. Initially, faculty members who notice that a student is not performing well will attempt to intervene to warn the student about academic failure. The policy claims that the university will make every effort possible to remediate the issue. If the student fails, they have one chance to reenroll and improve their grades. If the student continues the same performance, they receive a dismissal from the program.
Although it may seem unnecessary to complete remediation, it is the only way you can remain enrolled at Keiser. However, sometimes, remediation is not the best approach to the issue. If you are in doubt, contact a skilled attorney-advisor who understands the process and can help you negotiate for a better deal.
What To Do When Facing Dismissal
Dismissal causes many issues for chiropractic students, such as reputation damage, loss of time and effort, extra financial expenditures, and difficulty finding another program. The long-term consequences include not finding a good job since dismissals are part of your academic record. Some employers may ask for your history and not hire you due to professionalism concerns or assumptions that you are not a knowledgeable chiropractor.
It is necessary to keep all facts to yourself and not discuss the allegations with anyone during this time. It is best to keep a low profile and not post about the case on your social media profiles. Once you recalibrate, speaking with an advisor with experience working with students is critical. With the help of an advisor, you receive professional advice that helps you reduce the impact of the allegation. The support and guidance of a professional are necessary to help you keep going strong. The emotional and stressful toll they take on students is not easy to handle alone.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
One mistake or lapse in judgment should not end your career path permanently. You worked hard to reach your goal and become a student at a Chiropractic school. Unfortunately, many schools often take a harsh stance against professional violation and lack of academic progress. When this happens, you need the expertise of an experienced attorney-advisor who knows what you are navigating.
Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento works with students nationwide to help them overcome allegations that can ruin their future. With years of experience handling complex cases, advisor Lento works hard to decrease the likelihood of disproportionate punishment and bias. Advisor Lento knows what you and your family are going through and is a shoulder to rely on when everything seems lost.
No matter the allegations against you, you deserve a fair and impartial hearing and a professional's support. Do not try to tackle the issue alone, as it may cause further obstacles later.
If you or someone you love face allegations of academic or professional misconduct at Keiser University College of Chiropractic Medicine, help is available. Contact the Lento Law Firm today for a thorough and detailed conversation about your options at 888-535-3686.
