PHSU believes in the potential of each and every student and strives to provide them with a world-class, culturally competent education, so they can reach their dream careers in healthcare. We welcome international students to join our diverse communities across four locations. If you have the desire to learn about healthcare from a global perspective and the drive to work towards our mission of solving health disparities, we invite you to apply today.
- PHSU defines an international applicant as an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
- If an international applicant is currently enrolled in a foreign medical college or other health professions programs, no part of that medical or health professions curriculum can be used to fulfill any part of the PHSU’s academic requirements for granting a PHSU Degree.
- Foreign medical graduates are not eligible to apply for advanced standing into the program.
- Due to external regulatory requirements, application from international applicants will be considered for the following campuses: Ponce (Main Campus), San Juan University Center, and St. Louis Campus, based on the programs offered and approved by Campus (Please refer to table 1).
| Campus | Approved Programs for International Students |
|---|---|
| Ponce, Puerto Rico |
|
| San Juan, Puerto Rico |
|
International Application Requirements
Each academic program has its own set of admissions requirements. International students will need to meet those requirements in addition to those outlined below
- Transcripts – Applicants who completed coursework outside the U.S. must submit your transcript(s) for evaluation to the service listed below. They will in turn evaluate the individual courses and indicate whether each is considered undergraduate, graduate or professional. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated course-by-course with letter grades, pass/fail, or credit/no credit, and must specify which courses are considered undergraduate, graduate and professional. The completed evaluation must be sent directly to Ponce Health Sciences University- Admissions Office from the evaluation service.
- World Education Services (WES)
P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
(212) 966-6311 - Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
101 W. Pleasant St. Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963
(414) 289-3400
- World Education Services (WES)
For programs with prerequisites, the student must also provide the applicable Catalog from the precedence school and/or course descriptions for those courses.
- Language Proficiency – Applicants to PHSU locations in St. Louis or BVI must demonstrate English language proficiency. International students whose principal language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum scores accepted are:
- 600 on the paper-based test
- 250 on the computer-based test
- 100 on the internet-based test
- For more details about the exam, visit ets.org/toefl
- Applicants to PHSU locations in Puerto Rico must be bilingual in English and Spanish to be eligible for admission to the MD Program, given that PHSU’s partner hospitals and clinics in Ponce serve a predominantly Spanish speaking population. A Language Assessment Evaluation may be required.
After You Apply
Prior to an acceptance of an offer of admission, international applicants are required to schedule a meeting with the Principal Designated Student Officer (PDSO) or Designated Student Officer (DSO) within five business days of notification of an offer of admission. The admissions offer PDSO or DSO must certify the student is eligible either for Initial Status Acceptance or for a Transfer into the PHSU Program through the SEVIS platform.
PDSO
Elisandra Rodríguez- Moreno
Vice President of Student Affairs
Tel: 787-840-2575 Ext. 5723
DSOs Ponce Campus (Main)
María Colón
Admissions Officer
Ivette Oliveras
Registrar
DSO San Juan University Center
Mariela González
Campus Director
STUDENTS WITH SEVIS FILE
Students who currently possess a SEVIS File on a US Institution must provide the following information.
- Designated Student Officer Information (must include email, and phone number)
- SEVIS ID
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRANSFERRING FROM OTHER SCHOOLS
International Students Transferring from other US Schools must present all the information required above and their current SEVP ID in order to complete the transfer.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING FOR AN F-1 VISA
International students interested in becoming PHSU students must interview with the school’s DSO and provide the following information:
- Passport
- International Address Evidence
- Address in the US
- Proof of Funding to cover the Program’s cost
The DSO will complete the application for I-20 on the SEVIS platform and expedite the document that will allow the student to process the Student VISA on the consulate.
This resource contains a brief general overview of government regulations and other applicable information relating to visas, residency guidelines and International licensure requirements. This document does not serve as individualized career or legal advice, as immigration requirements, Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME), allied hospitals systems, licensing, and certifying agencies change periodically. Consequently, it is the responsibility of each individual student to contact the appropriate agencies and systems in order to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the immigration or other pertinent requirements related to his or her specific circumstances.
More Resources
- Housing – PHSU does not offer campus housing or dorms, but we can offer recommendations for communities and apartment complexes that we have established relationships with. Please contact your DSO for more information.
- Safety – PHSU works to ensure its locations are safe for students, faculty and staff with a full range of safety and security services, as well as detailed emergency preparedness plans.
- 2023-2024 annual security report Scholarship/Tuition/Finances – https://www.psm.edu/current-student/student-life/safety-and-security/
- Prepare for your Arrival
- Book your flight so you have time to settle in your new place and adjust before your orientation period. PHSU will host an orientation event for international students so you can start to establish a community right away.