The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at UAGM is a comprehensive, full-time professional degree designed to prepare future physical therapists through a three-year curriculum. The program comprises six semesters and two summers, with the final year dedicated entirely to full-time clinical experiences spanning two semesters.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, either within Puerto Rico or the United States.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester hours of coursework is preferred.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses
- Applicants must have completed 75% (33 credits) of prerequisite courses by the end of the fall semester of the application year.
- A grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses.
PTs are movement system experts who contribute to promoting quality of life. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive grasp and awareness of the aspects, principles, and responsibilities associated with the field of physical therapy. The evidence presented should showcase the candidate's knowledge, insights, and alignment with the core values of the profession and practices of the physical therapy profession. This can be done through various means, such as referencing personal experiences, recounting involvement in volunteer positions, showcasing research efforts in the field, highlighting mentorship experiences, and/or drawing upon personal connection with individuals within or associated with the profession.
- Letter 1: From a college-level professor who can assess the applicant's academic ability.
- Letter 2: From a professional who can evaluate your qualities, skills, achievement, work ethic, and/or academic performance.
Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited for an interview, as part of the admissions process. The interview will be bilingual (Spanish/English) and include a written language proficiency assessment.
Required prerequisite courses should be completed in semester credit hours. Courses in the following categories are required to fulfill the prerequisite criteria.
- 2 semesters of anatomy/physiology with labs (excluding exercise physiology)
- 2 semesters of college chemistry with labs
- 2 semesters of physics with labs
- 2 semesters of biology (excluding botany or zoology)
- 1 semester of psychology
- 1 semester of statistics (course should cover up to linear regression)
- 2 semesters of English (for students who hold degrees from institutions where Spanish is the primary language of instruction)
- 2 semesters of Spanish (for students who hold degrees from institutions where English is the primary language of instruction)
- 2 semesters of English and 2 semesters of Spanish (for students who hold degrees from institutions where the primary language of instruction is neither in English nor Spanish)
If an applicant believes they can demonstrate language proficiency through other mechanisms (i.e., AP tests, work experience, etc.), please contact the Program at docpt@uagm.edu.
The following courses are strongly encouraged:
- A practical reasoning, logic, or critical thinking course
- Biomechanics, kinesiology, or exercise physiology
- An upper-level biology course (physiology)
- An upper-level English and/or Spanish course
- Medical terminology course
- Computer literacy course
- Ethics course
Applicants who have attended international institutions will follow the UAGM application process. However, before submitting applications, they are strongly encouraged to: (1) review the information on the website and (2) contact UAGM’s Department of Physical Therapy. Applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Department.
UAGM and its campuses uphold as part of its philosophy the principle of equal educational opportunities for the students of its institution. Firm in its commitment, the University requests, obtains, and administers various financial aid assistance programs for students who need it and are eligible. This aid comes from federal, state, institutional, and private sector funds.
The Financial Assistance program has three categories of financial aid: Scholarships, Loans, and Federal Work Study. A combination of scholarships, federal work-study, or loans is assigned to eligible students who demonstrate financial need.
The policies of the Universidad Ana G. Méndez are established to grant federal, state, and institutional funds; it also includes how to apply for financial aid and how to fill out or renew such aid. Also included are the safety requirements, rules, policies, and regulations that students should be aware of. For additional information on available services and programs, you can contact the Office of Financial Assistance.
Technical Standards for Admission, Progression, Retention and Graduation
The Department of Physical Therapy is committed to preparing competent, compassionate, and ethical physical therapists who are ready to meet the demands of clinical practice and professional responsibility. To ensure this, the program has identified essential skills and abilities required for safe and effective physical therapist practice that all students must meet. The curriculum is designed in alignment with the standards of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and the Standards of Practice in Physical Therapy.
All students must be able to perform these Essential Functions, with or without reasonable accommodations, to successfully participate in the curriculum and satisfy the academic and clinical requirements for progression and graduation. These functions encompass cognitive, sensory, motor, communication, behavioral, and professional abilities necessary to safely participate in classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences.
The Essential Functions are organized into the following domains:
Communication Skills
- Communicate effectively, sensitively, and efficiently with patients, families, caregivers, faculty, peers, and clinical personnel.
- Interpret information to accurately and succinctly convey this information through verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic communication methods.
- Provide feedback in ways that are culturally and linguistically sensitive.
- Respond to emotional cues and behavioral changes of others in a professional and timely manner.
Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
- Synthesize complex materials from lectures, research, patient records, and clinical data.
- Apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical reasoning skills within limited timeframes.
- Apply knowledge and observations for movement analysis considering dimensional and spatial relationships of anatomical structures and physiological functions.
- Adapt to new information and changing conditions with sound clinical judgment and decision-making.
- Manage mentally taxing workloads.
Motor and Physical Skills
- Assist individuals with mobility while maintaining personal and individual safety.
- Execute gross and fine motor movements required to perform physical therapist evaluations and interventions.
- Perform palpation, auscultation, percussion, and manual therapy techniques in a safe and accurate manner.
- Demonstrate coordination, balance, and physical endurance to meet the physical demands of classroom and professional activities.
- Perform repetitive physical tasks and sustain prolonged physical activity, including frequent lifting, pushing, or pulling of up to 20 pounds, lifting up to 35 pounds independently; and assisting with heavier transfers or lifting activities as appropriate.
Observation and Sensory Skills
- Discern changes in body structures through palpation and visual cues such as muscle tone, swelling, temperature, body symmetry, and joint alignment.
- Assess signs and symptoms of disease and movement dysfunction through observation, palpation, and other sensory input.
- Perceive presentations outside the scope of physical therapist practice that require referral.
- Interpret visual, auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive information gathered essential for safe and effective patient care in a variety of settings common to physical therapist practice.
- Observe individual responses to movement including subtle postural changes, facial expressions, pain responses, skin color, and respiratory patterns.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
- Exhibit empathy, integrity, responsibility, and respect for individual differences.
- Interact respectfully with individuals from different cultural, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds.
- Demonstrate emotional health, maturity, and professional behavior in dynamic environments.
- Accept constructive feedback and respond with behavior modification.
- Collaborate with patients, caregivers, faculty, peers, and interprofessional team members.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional development.
Professional Responsibilities
- Manage time effectively to meet academic, clinical and professional deadlines.
- Uphold ethical standards and professional code of conduct.
- Adhere to legal and institutional guidelines in all settings.
- Demonstrate accountability, self-regulation, and motivation to serve.
The Essential Functions described above are intended to ensure that students can safely and effectively participate in all components of the curriculum, including classroom instruction, laboratory activities, integrated clinical experiences, and full-time clinical education. The Program may evaluate a student's ability to meet these Essential Functions at any time during enrollment if questions arise regarding the student's ability to safely meet academic or clinical requirements. Students who have questions regarding these standards or who believe they may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Department and the University's Quality of Life Office before or during enrollment.
Accommodation and Verification
The Department of Physical Therapy supports equal opportunity and access to education. Students requesting reasonable accommodations must initiate the accommodation process through the University's Calidad de Vida (Quality of Life) Office. The program will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies, provided such accommodations do not fundamentally alter essential program requirements or compromise patient or student safety.
All UAGM DPT students must verify that they have reviewed the Essential Functions. The ability to satisfy these essential functions is an ongoing requirement throughout enrollment. By signing the Receipt of Student Handbook Form (Appendix D), students acknowledge that they have reviewed and understand the Essential Functions and understand that the ability to perform these functions, with or without reasonable accommodations, is a condition of admission, progression, and graduation in the program.
Students experiencing a change in health status that may affect their ability to meet these Essential Functions are encouraged to promptly notify the Department Chair and the Quality of Life Office so that available resources and reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, can be considered.
The Department of Physical Therapy at Universidad Ana G. Méndez follows a fair and equitable admissions policy that aims to attract and admit students who demonstrate strong academic potential, dedication to the field of physical therapy, and a commitment to ethical and professional standards. We aim to promote diversity and excellence within the physical therapy profession.
