Doctor in Medicine (MD)

• Admission Requirements
• General Requirements
• Curriculum

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Mission

To educate bilingual ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care and generate high-impact research to reduce health disparities in the populations we serve in Puerto Rico and the US through high-quality education in a diverse environment.

Vision

To be recognized as a world leader in delivering bilingual, culturally competent medical sciences and research education.

Program Description

The medical education curriculum is a 4-year program of 164 weeks. The curriculum reflects our mission to educate bilingual, ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care.

PHSU-SOM operates on four campuses. The main 4-year campus is in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Two regional clinical campuses in Puerto Rico-the Mayaguez Campus and the San Juan Campus-receive a group of students to complete their third-year clerkships/rotations, and St. Louis, Missouri campus, where students pursue the full four-year curriculum. The same curriculum is delivered in Puerto Rico and St. Louis.

The pre-clerkship phase comprises two years of preclinical coursework, including the core basic science disciplines of Gross Anatomy, Histology and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology/Immunology, and Neurosciences.

Integration of clinical content and early clinical experiences through Pathophysiology, Introduction to Clinical Skills, Behavioral Sciences, Basic Psychiatry, Community Medicine & Geriatrics, Community Medicine & Health Promotion, Family & Community Medicine, Clinical Correlation (Problem-Based Learning), Interprofessional Perspectives on Health Disparities, Medical Ethics, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics.

The preclinical curriculum emphasizes active learning modalities using a flipped classroom model. Case discussions allow students to apply knowledge to real clinical situations, and the classroom interactive response system (iClickers) provides the opportunity for formative assessment of students’ understanding of core concepts.

The year three clinical phase curriculum comprises the core clerkships in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Surgery.

Also, during the third year, a longitudinal course in Radiology and two longitudinal courses in Professional Development that expose students to general education and humanism topics, including the history of medicine, translational research, medical practice, and preparation for residency programs are offered.

The year four clinical phase curriculum comprises other core clinical experiences in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Primary Care Selective and six four-week elective rotations that provide additional clinical experiences in several subspecialty fields to prepare students for the next level of training.

Medical Education Program Objectives

1. Medical Knowledge: Medical students must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and socio-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Explain the normal structure and function of the body and each of its major organ systems, as well as the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that are important in maintaining the body’s homeostasis.

   2. Explain the genetic, developmental, metabolic, toxic, microbiologic, autoimmune, neoplastic, degenerative, and traumatic causes of disease states and their pathogenesis.

   3. Identify epidemiological and other factors that place individuals at risk for disease or injury, select appropriate tests for detecting threats, and determine preventive strategies for responding appropriately.

   4. Interpret the results of commonly used diagnostic studies.

   5. Formulate appropriate management strategies in the care of patients with common conditions, both acute and chronic, including pain and rehabilitation.

   6. Describe the mechanisms by which therapeutic agents work and apply the principles of pharmacology in patient care.

2. Patient Care: Students must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health and the treatment of health problems.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families.

   2. Obtain a complete and accurate medical history that covers all the essential aspects of the history taking in a patient-centered interview. Identify health issues and correlate with patient’s age, gender, cultural, spiritual beliefs, psychological and socioeconomic status.

   3. Perform a comprehensive and/or a problem-focused physical examination, including a mental status examination and accurately interpret the findings.

   4. Formulate, using clinical reasoning an initial diagnostic impression and differential diagnosis.

   5. Recommend appropriate diagnostic studies and therapeutic management plan based on patient information and preferences, current scientific evidence, and clinical judgment.

   6. Perform or assist during routine technical procedures, including but not limited to venous and arterial puncture, placement of an intravenous line, transurethral and nasogastric catheters and suturing of simple wounds.

   7. Recognize patients with life threatening conditions, with serious physical and or mental acute/chronic conditions in need of critical care and institute appropriate initial therapy.

   8. Counsel and educate patients care givers and families about patient’s condition and aspects of health promotion and prevention.

   9. Solve clinical problems in the context of culture, psychological, socioeconomic status and the spiritual-health beliefs and needs of the patient.

3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective interchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families and health professionals.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Develop a team relationship with patients and their families to provide patient centered care.

   2. Use a patient centered approach with effective listening and communication skills during the medical interview.

   3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish, with patients, their families and health professionals.

   4. Document patient information in a comprehensive, timely and legible electronic or written medical record.

   5. Demonstrate leadership skills as a member of a health care team and other professional groups.

   6. Demonstrate effective interaction with colleagues and health care professionals to provide patient-centered care.

4. Practice-based Learning and Improvement: Students must be able to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, appraise, and assimilate scientific evidence and continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Demonstrate capacity to accept personal limitations and continuously improve one’s medical knowledge and clinical skills.

   2. Identify the information resources and tools available to support life-long learning and self-improvement.

   3. Review and incorporate the most current and relevant evidence-based information in the diagnosis and management of patients.

   4. Explain how to conduct clinical and translational research, its scientific and ethical principles and apply the results and evidence derived from those studies to patient care.

5. Systems-based Practice: Students must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Work effectively in various health care delivery systems.

   2. Deliver patient care according to the regulations and resources of health care systems.

   3. Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities.

   4. Promote cost-effective health care and optimal resources allocation.

   5. Formulate appropriate management strategies for patients with clinical conditions that require short and long-term rehabilitation.

   6. Identify and assess factors that place a patient’s safety at risk and select appropriate interventions to minimize them.

   7. Collaborate with colleagues, health care providers and other professionals to assess and coordinate patient care.

6. Professionalism: Students must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
   
   By the time of graduation, students are expected to:

   1. Recognize ethical and legal dilemmas in medicine and demonstrate commitment to ethical principles.

   2. Demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of patient population, including, but not limited to differences in culture, social status, gender, sexual orientation, and health beliefs.

   3. Demonstrate understanding of and respect for the roles of other health care professionals.

   4. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respectful behavior in all interactions with patients and families, peers, preceptors, members of the healthcare team and others

   5. Demonstrate compassionate treatment of patients, respect and sensitivity for their privacy and dignity.

   6. Recognize the threats posed by conflicts of interest and advocate for patients’ interest over one’s own

   7. Demonstrate respect for patient’s autonomy in decision-making.

Admission Requirements

The primary goal of the MD Program is to provide quality medical education. A strong foundation in the Basic Sciences is stressed so that students can obtain the most from their training in the clinical sciences. It is mandatory that the students be fluent in both English and Spanish, (writing, reading, speaking and understanding) for Main Campus candidates.

1. Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA)
   
   Ordinarily, four years of undergraduate education are necessary to prepare for entrance into medical school; however, special programs (e.g., combined baccalaureate-M.D. programs) may allow this to be reduced. General education that includes the social sciences, history, arts, and languages is increasingly important for developing physician competencies outside of the scientific knowledge domain. Ponce Health Sciences University strongly suggests that applicants apply with a BA / BS completed at a college-level institution accredited by the Council of Higher Education of PR or by a US accrediting organization.
   
   All MD program applicants must complete the following required coursework:

Course Title	Credits
Biology I & II, with Laboratory	8
Chemistry I & II, with Laboratory	8
Organic Chemistry I & II, with Laboratory	8
Physics I & II, with Laboratory	8
Mathematics	6
Behavioral and Social Sciences***	6
Spanish*,**	3
English*	3

Revised: December 18,2023

* The English and Spanish requisites are direct language classes (grammar or literature). For the English courses, classes from other departments described as “intensive writing” may be considered as substitute.

**The Spanish credits are required for the Ponce Campus (Main Campus) only because PHSU’s partner hospitals and clinics in Ponce serve a predominantly Spanish speaking population. The English and *Spanish requisites are direct language classes (grammar or literature). For the English courses, classes from other departments described as “intensive writing” may be considered as substitute. The Spanish credits are only required for the Ponce campus.

*** Any of the following: Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science or Economics.

In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend coursework in biochemistry, cellular biology, microbiology, genetics, statistics, as well as Liberal Arts and/or Humanities.

All MD applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered eligible for admission to our Main Campus (Ponce) or St. Louis Campus:

• Minimum AMCAS Cumulative GPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale).
  • [Historically, our average is 3.5.]
• Minimum AMCAS BCPM GPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale).
  • [Historically, our average is 3.3.]
• Minimum MCAT score of 494 within first three (3) MCAT attempts, taken within the past five (5) years

Immunizations Policy

Required Immunizations before admission:

1. Two (2) doses of Varicella,
2. Tdap (every 10 years)
3. Two (2) MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
4. Annual Flu Shot
5. Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B
6. Polio
7. Three (3) doses of COVID-19

All applicants must submit an AMCAS application and a PHSU secondary application to select the PHSU-SOM campus for which they are applying to (Main Campus, Ponce OR St. Louis Campus). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis to determine eligibility and offer interview invitations. We follow the CDC recommendations as they may change please refer to CDC to confirm.

Upon acceptance, all students are required to submit the following:

1. Written confirmation of acceptance and a deposit of $100.00 to secure your seat in the entering class.
2. Evidence of up-to-date immunization certificate, including Hepatitis B, Influenza, and COVID 19.
3. Puerto Rico Health Certificate or Quantiferon TB Test.
4. Other documents will be notified as pertinent.

Registration, orientation period, and commencement of classes take place in the second half of July.

Interviews

Interviews are conducted virtually in the Multiple Mini Interview format to support a holistic admissions process and evaluate premedical competencies that align with PHSU-SOM’s mission to train ethical professionals who provide compassionate, culturally competent health care and generate high impact research to reduce health disparities in the populations we serve in Puerto Rico and the US.

Interviews will be conducted in Spanish and English for applicants applying to the Main Campus (Ponce) and in English only for applicants applying to the St. Louis Campus.

Language

Of note, all applicants to the Main Campus (Ponce) 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.

Selection Criteria

When evaluating MD program applicants, the MD Admissions Committee aims to select the most competitive applicants with integrity, maturity, service orientation, as well as leadership, and enthusiasm for working with others. Preference will be given to local residents for the Main Campus (Ponce), but US citizens from the mainland are also invited to apply.

Through a holistic admissions process, the MD Admissions Committee evaluates applicants considering the following premedical competencies and attributes:

1. academic performance
2. commitment to a career in medicine
3. critical thinking
4. cultural competency
5. ethical responsibility
6. humanism
7. integrity and maturity
8. language and communication skills
9. leadership
10. resilience and adaptability
11. service orientation

How to Apply

Ponce Health Sciences University participates in the centralized application service provided by the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS), a division of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The electronic web-based application is available at: www.aamc.org

The AMCAS application deadline is DECEMBER 31 of the year prior to the requested admission date. A secondary application is also required for PHSU’s School of Medicine, due by January 15th. (For more information Click Here) . The following documents will be requested after the AMCAS application is received.

• Three letters of recommendation (two from professors and one written by an individual familiar with the applicant’s skills and abilities) or a composite letter from a premedical committee. Letters must be submitted through AMCAS.
• Official transcripts from all universities attended.
• US $90 non-refundable application processing fee.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Essay

An AMCAS criminal background check will be conducted once the applicant is accepted. If a positive criminal record appears, the acceptance will be revoked.

Upon acceptance, all students are required to submit the following:

• Written confirmation of acceptance and a deposit of $100.00 to secure your seat in the entering class.
• Health Certificate - This is a medical examination expedited by the Health department of Puerto Rico (to be done in Puero Rico, before or during Orientation Period). This document is considered complete when delivered original, copies must be send via email to initiate the revision process.
• Immunization Record (PVAC-3) - An emailed copy is sufficient as long as it includes:
  • Two (2) doses of Varicella,
  • Tdap (every 10 years)
  • Two (2) MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
  • Annual Flu Shot
  • Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B
  • Polio
  • Three (3) doses of COVID-19
• Other documents will be notified as pertinent.

(Contact: admissions@psm.edu)

Registration, orientation period, and commencement of classes take place in the second half of July.

Graduation Requirements

To receive the MD degree, every student must fulfill the following requirements:

General Requirements

1. Time Frame for Completion of the Academic Program
   A medical student will be allowed a maximum time frame of two years of enrollment beyond the standard required to complete the program. Summer enrollment is considered part of the academic year for the measure.
   
   The total years to complete the degree include those years accredited on admission to MD Program for transfer students.

Program	Standard	Maximum
Doctor of Medicine - Four-Year Program	4 years	6 years

2. Completion of Program Requirements
   1. Course Requirement
      Students must complete all required courses, clerkships, and electives within the established time frame.
       
   2. Performance Requirement
      A student must pass each required course, clerkship, and elective. Any student failing to meet this performance standard will be referred to the Students Promotion Committee to determine the action to be taken.
       
   3. Medical Licensure Exam Requirement
      USMLE Step 1 must be taken and passed before beginning the clerkship phase of the curriculum. A passing score for USMLE Step 2 CK is required for graduation.
       
   4. Professional Behavior Requirement
      The students must conduct themselves following the norms for professional conduct set forth by Ponce Health Sciences University and the corresponding accreditation agencies.
       
   5. Clinical Practice Examination (CPX)
      All medical students must take and pass a Clinical Practice Examination (CPX) at the end of their first clinical academic year.
3. The SOM Student Promotions Committee reviews students’ cognitive and attitudinal aspects of performance to decide if student complies with graduation requirements.

USMLE Requirements

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Policy

This policy states the requirements and timeline established for Ponce Health Sciences University medical students for the USMLE examinations. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for the MD Program establishes that six years is the maximum time to complete the entire academic program.

Comprehensive Basic Sciences Examination

1. All medical students must take the Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE), developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), as a USMLE Step 1 performance indicator in January and May.
2. The test score will be used to assess the readiness of the student to pass the USMLE Step 1. A minimum score in the CBSE is required to be authorized to take the USMLE Step 1. The required minimum score is revised annually and announced to second-year students at the beginning of each academic year.

USMLE Step 1

The student applies to take the USMLE Step 1 through the Licensing Examination Services at the USMLE website and selects the eligibility period.

1. Students who pass all pre-clerkship courses, and obtain the required minimum score in the NBME CBSE, must take, and pass the USMLE Step 1 before beginning the clerkship phase of the curriculum.
2. The student must take the USMLE Step 1 no later than July 10 to have the results before starting third-year clerkships. If a student fails the USMLE Step 1, the student must enroll in the PHSU Basic Science Review Course (SKD 091) to prepare to pass the USMLE Step 1.
3. The student can only enroll to begin the clerkships during the official dates published by the Registrar’s Office.
4. Students have a maximum of three opportunities to pass the USMLE Step 1.
5. Students cannot be enrolled in remedial courses for more than one year in preparation for passing the USMLE Step 1 or out of the regular medical program curriculum unless for an approved medical LOA.
6. Students who fail the USMLE Step 1 for the third time or have been one year or more out of the regular medical program curriculum program will be referred to the Student Promotions Committee for consideration of dismissal from the Medicine Program.

USMLE - Step 2

1. All medical students must pass the USMLE Step 2-CK component as a requirement for graduation.
2. It is strongly recommended that the students take the USMLE Step 2-CK no later than August 30 of the year they apply to residency programs so that the score is available when the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) opens and the interviews for residency programs begin.
3. Students must receive passing scores on the USMLE Step 2 CK by the annual deadline for their rank order lists to be verified by PHSU and be able to participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Without verification of graduation credentials by the medical school, students will not be able to participate in the match process.
4. The last opportunity to take and pass the USMLE 2-CK examination to complete this graduation requirement with the May graduating class will be the last week of April of the corresponding graduation year.

Approved by Medicine Program Curriculum Committee: April 1st, 2023.
Effective: July 1, 2023

Clinical Practice Examination

1. All medical students are required to take and pass a Clinical Practice Examination (CPX) to be given at the end of their Third Academic Year.
2. Written feedback concerning individual performance will be provided to each student.
3. Students not meeting the acceptable level of performance will receive guided learning to overcome areas of low performance during one or more of the fourth year required clinical rotations. A modified version of the exam will be given after the completion of the guided learning experience.
4. Satisfactory completion of this additional guided learning fulfills the requirement to pass this examination.

Grading System

The medicine program defines grades of courses based on the following system:

Grade	Percentage	Points
H	90-100	Honor
P	70-89	Pass
F	69 and below	Fail
E	Extended
I	Incomplete
W	Withdrawal
AW	Administrative Withdrawal
R	Repeated	Modifier to another grade
NG	No-Grade Reported	Under specific circumstances

The numerical grade obtained in each course may be included as part of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) that the SOM prepares as part of the requirements for application to residency programs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Implementation Date/ Effective Date	AY 2023-2024
Last Reviewed/UpdateApproved by	June 15, 2023
	Executive and Policy Committee
Initially Approved	July 2001

Medical Education (MD)

A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy has been established to ensure that medical students complete the academic program within the acceptable time frame and the minimally accepted quality of performance. This policy also ensures that the Student Financial Aid requirements set forth by federal regulations have been met. The SAP applies to all medical students enrolled in the

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine. Student academic progress is evaluated twice each academic year by the SOM Students Promotion Committee, which determines whether students comply with promotion and graduation requirements.

General Requirements

3. Time Frame for completion of the Academic Program
   A medical student will be allowed a maximum time frame of two years of enrollment beyond the standard required to complete the program. Summer enrollment is considered part of the academic year for the measure.
   
   The total years to complete the degree include those years accredited on admission to MD Program for transfer students.

Program	Standard	Maximum
Doctor of Medicine - Four-Year Program	4 years	6 years

 

4. Completion of Program Requirements
   6. Course Requirement
      Students must complete all required courses, clerkships, and electives within the established time frame.
       
   7. Performance Requirement
      A student must pass each required course, clerkship and elective. Any student failing to meet this standard of performance will be referred to the Students Promotion Committee to determine the action to be taken.
       
   8. Medical Licensure Exam Requirement
      USMLE Step 1 must be taken and passed before beginning the clerkship phase of the curriculum. A passing score for USMLE Step 2 CK is required for graduation.
       
   9. Professional Behavior Requirement
      The students must conduct themselves in accordance with the norms for professional conduct set forth by the Ponce Health Sciences University and the corresponding accreditation agencies.
       
   10. Clinical Practice Examination (CPX)
       All medical students are required to take and pass a Clinical Practice Examination (CPX) at the end of their first clinical academic year.
        
   11. Student Promotions Committee
       The SOM Student Promotions Committee reviews students’ cognitive and attitudinal aspects of performance to decide if they can advance to the next academic year or graduate, in the case of senior medical students.

Grade Requirement

The Ponce Health Sciences University Medical Program does not measure academic progress by cumulative grade point average. To graduate, the student should pass all required courses, clerkships, and electives. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed each semester.

An Incomplete Grade could be assigned following the Institutional Incomplete Grade Policy. The student must complete the “I” (Incomplete) by the following semester, or an - “F” will be recorded for that course. The “I” (Incomplete) grades are part of the academic record, as are the final grades.

Academic Probation

Any student failing to meet Ponce Health Sciences University medical program performance requirement will be referred to the School of Medicine Students Promotion Committee and placed on academic and financial aid probation. The following guidelines will be applied:

1. If the student fails one course, he/she should remediate the deficiency during the summertime. In these cases, an associate dean will notify the student that he/she is under academic probation and authorize summer enrollment.
2. If the student fails two or more courses or fails a course a second time, he/she may be considered for either repetition of courses or dismissal.
3. If the Students Promotion Committee determines that the student must repeat one or more courses during the summer or the next academic year, the student is considered on academic probation.
4. If the Students Promotion Committee determines to dismiss the student from the medical program, the student must be informed about his/her right to appeal.
5. If the dismissal decision is reversed by due process, the student will be considered on academic probation.

Appeal Process

Students referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC) will be notified, stating the reasons for the referral, and informing them about their right to be heard or provide information to the SPC. Course or clerkship directors should recuse themselves if the student being considered had an unsuccessful outcome in their course. Any Committee member who has a conflict of interest as having personal relations or providing health care to the students must also recuse themselves.

Students who have been notified a decision of the SPC that they must repeat an entire year of study or are dismissed from the medical program have the right to request a reconsideration of the decision from the SPC within five working days of receiving the notification.

The appeal or due process presented below must be followed.

The student will request in writing a reconsideration of the decision to the School of Medicine Students Promotion Committee (SPC) and include all relevant documentation to support the request. The student has the right to attend and provide information about their case to the Committee. The Committee will evaluate the reasons and evidence submitted to determine if they change their initial decision.

If the SPC sustains the adverse decision, the student has the right to appeal to the Dean of Medicine. The appeal must be submitted in writing within five working days of receiving the notification. The Dean of Medicine will evaluate the appeal and the student’s academic record. The Dean can appoint a three-member Ad-Hoc Committee to re-evaluate all evidence. Rejection of the appeal by theDean is final.

The Ad Hoc committee will notify the student of the date and time when the case will be heard. The student has the right to attend and provide information about their case to the Ad- Hoc Committee. The Dean of Medicine will consider the Ad-Hoc Committee recommendation and make the final decision.\

Any decision will be reported to the student in writing. The decision made by the Dean of Medicine is final. During the appeal process, the student has the right to withdraw from the school at any time up to the point when the Dean makes the final decision.

The same process described above will be followed in the case that the adverse decision made by the Committee is for non-academic reasons, such as unacceptable professional behavior. The Department Chairperson, the Associate Dean for Medical Education, or the Vice-President of Student Affairs will refer the case to the SPC. If the SPC recommends dismissing the student, the appeal process described above may be activated.

If an adverse decision is made due to non-academic reason and the Dean of Medicine sustains the decision after the appeal process, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and then to the President.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial Aid eligibility is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. Please refer to the institutional policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress published by the Office of Financial Aid.

Enforcement

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall have primary responsibility for overseeing this policy and will provide all medical students with a copy of this document upon admission to the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine.

The President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Dean of Medicine, the Associate Dean for Medical Education, the Registrar, and the Financial Aid Director will receive all pertinent data to ensure proper enforcement of the policy here set forth.

*Rev. November 30, 2020, and February 16, 2021, December 12, 2022, by the Executive and Policy Committee of the School of Medicine*

Tuition and Fees

For more details on PHSU tuition and fees, please refer to: Tuition and Fees 2024-2025.pdf

ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE REGISTRATION.

*Ponce Health Sciences University reserves the right to increase the tuition or other fees as deemed necessary. *

Refund Policy

Non-attendance and withdrawal after the add/drop period will be subject to the reimbursement policy established by PHSU which reads as follows:

• The Enrollment Deposit Fee guaranteeing registration is non-refundable.
• Students withdrawing prior to the start of classes will receive a complete refund for tuition and fees.
• Fees are non-refundable once the term has commenced.
• Students withdrawing on or before the Friday of the second week of classes will receive a 75% refund of tuition.
• Students withdrawing on or before the Friday of the sixth week of classes of the semester will receive a 50% refund of tuition.
• Students withdrawing on or before the Friday of the tenth week of classes of the semester will receive a 25% refund of tuition.
• After the tenth week of class, tuition is non-refundable.