Is your program a Master's or Doctorate?
The UNM Physical Therapy Program is in the process of transitioning to a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Although the date for this process is uncertain, it is our goal to begin the DPT curriculum in Fall 2008. In the event the DPT is not offered in 2008, our goal will be to provide an option for those 2008 MPT students to complete DPT requirements in the Summer of 2011. Tuition will increase with inception of the DPT curriculum, to an amount comparable to that of other regional, public DPT programs. Information on this website will be updated to reflect the latest status of the DPT program.
What is the length of your program?
Our program is 3 years in length.
Do you offer part-time status or online courses?
No. We are a full time graduate program that requires your attendance 5 days a week every semester.
Do you offer an associate degree or a PT assistant (PTA) degree?
No. An associate degree in Physical Therapy does not exist. The only accredited PTA Program in New Mexico is at San Juan College in Farmington. You can contact San Juan College at 505-326-3311 or harrism@sanjuancollege.edu
What is the required or suggested Bachelor's degree for your Program?
We accept any Bachelor's degree from any accredited college, as long as you complete our 35 credit hours of prerequisites. Please contact us about Online course prerequisite policies. What degree you choose will not affect your admissions process, however, some degrees encompass our prerequisites more than others and some degrees prepare you better for the Physical Therapy Program curriculum. Some suggested degrees are Biology, Nutrition, Exercise Science and Athletic Training. Please consult the UNM Catalog for a current list of undergraduate degrees.
Do you accept out of state residents?
Yes, residents of states other than New Mexico are encouraged to apply. We also accept students certified by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Only residents of Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming are eligible to our program under WICHE. Please call 1-800-279-9777 for more information on WICHE or review the WICHE website. Please refer to the UNM Residency page for complete guidelines in determining your residency for tuition purposes.
How many students do you accept and how often?
We accept 20-25 students per year. This may or may not change with the implementation of the DPT.
What is the accepted GPA for entry to your program? What is the average GPA?
3.0 is the minimum. The average GPA for the accepted students, Class of 2010, was approximately 3.4.
Can I work while I am in the Program?
We strongly recommend not working while in the Program, especially in your first year. The curriculum and clinical rotations will take up the majority of you time while you are in the Program. There is an opportunity to work the summer you are free from school between your first and second year. Many students rely on loans and financial aid to get them through school. Please review our estimated student expense sheet.
When can I get an application?
Applications are available throughout the year. The application deadline is January 15. Applications can be downloaded or picked up in the Physical Therapy Program Office located in the Health Sciences and Services Building Room 204. Also, we’ll be happy to mail one to you if you’ll notify us at (505) 272-6956 or NToledo@salud.unm.edu. Please leave your Name, Address, Phone number and please spell your name and address, also talk clearly and slowly. Please review the admissions page and attend an advisement session for further information on the admissions process. There is an application fee of $50.00 for UNM Office of Graduate Studies and a separate application processing fee of $25.00 for the UNM Physical Therapy Program.
Where can I go to find more information about financial aid?
Please visit our financial aid page. Review a list of some of the scholarships offered to Physical Therapy Students . You can contact the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office at (505) 272-8008.
What if I have not yet completed all the prerequisites?
There is a 35 science prerequisite requirement. Prerequisites do not need to be completed by the Application date. Prerequisites can be completed the Spring semester before entering the Program. Please review the UNM course descriptions for our prerequisites.
Can I go to any university or college to take my prerequisites?
We accept course work from any accredited university or college. Please contact us about Online course prerequisite policies. It's your responsibility to make sure course content and credits match.
CNM changed it's course numbers. How can I tell which classes wil fit the requirements?
New CNM Course Number Changes have come into effect this semester. This list will help in the conversion as to what will be acceptable to take at CNM:
|
UNM course |
CNM course |
|
Bio 237 |
Bio 2210 |
Bio 238 |
Bio 2310 |
|
Bio 247L |
Bio 2292 |
|
Bio 248L |
Bio 2392 |
|
Math 145 |
Math 1330 |
|
Nutr 244 |
Nutr 2110 |
|
Phys 151 |
Phys 1510 |
|
Phys 152 |
Phys 1610 |
|
Phys 151L |
Phys 1592 |
|
Phys 152L |
Phys 1692 |
|
Psy 105 |
Psy 1105 |
|
Psy 220 |
Psy 2220 |
I am an international student. Where do I start?
Please start by contacting the Office of International Admissions at goglobal@unm.edu or call (505) 277-5829. If you would like to have more information on our Program mailed to you please contact NToledo@salud.unm.edu.
Does it matter that I took my prerequisites many years ago?
We do not have a time limit on prerequisites. However, we suggest that because of the intense and rigorous nature of our curriculum, you may want to refresh your knowledge by re-taking some of the prerequisites.
My prerequisite (science) GPA isn't what I'd like it to be. How can I improve it?
One of the best ways to improve your prerequisite GPA is through grade replacement. UNM offers its students the opportunity to replace a grade for a class they retake. Here is how you can improve your prerequisite GPA:
1. After taking the prerequisite course with a grade of C or better, you may substitute a grade from a higher numbered course with the same classification.
2. In the areas of Math and Psychology, any courses at or above the minimum requirements are fine (example: for Math the minimum requirement is Math 145, Statistics, but any higher stats class will work. One of the Psychology classes must be developmental.)
Remember! These are grade substitutions NOT course substitutions or replacements, you must complete the prerequisite courses first with a grade of C or better.
When should I attend an advisement session?
Anyone interested in Physical Therapy should attend an advisement session. Most applicants have found these sessions to be helpful with the admissions process. Advisement sessions last about an hour. To reserve your space in the session call ahead (505) 272-6956 or e-mail NToledo@salud.unm.edu. To see advisement dates visit our advisement page. Please be sure to include your name, phone number and address. Please call for more details.
How many volunteer hours do I need before I apply?
Most applicants have an average of 200 volunteer hours; however, keep in mind that you should volunteer in a variety of settings so that you will understand the diversity of the physical therapy profession and what it entails. This enables you to make the appropriate decision regarding the profession before you apply. We gauge your experience through your interview, autobiography and letters of recommendation and during the admissions process.
I want to start my volunteer experience. Where is the best place to begin?
We usually recommend starting in a hospital. This is where you will see the most variety of cases. Variety is more important than quantity.
I want to know more about Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Please visit the city's official website.
* If you have further questions or suggestions or would like to request further information, please contact NToledo@salud.unm.edu or visit the contact us page.
