Physical Therapy Doctoral Degree Program

Advisement

It is highly recommended that students interested in the UNM Physical Therapy Program attend a formal advisement session to obtain the latest information about our program. These hour-long advisement sessions are usually held once or twice a month from May through November to provide an opportunity for students to gather important information, to meet a PT Program faculty member, and to have their specific questions answered.  Please register for these advisements sessions by emailing UNMPTProgram@salud.unm.edu or calling (505) 272-6956.   In special circumstances, individual advisement sessions may be scheduled for out-of-town students.

Advisement PowerPoint

 

Students are admitted once a year, with classes beginning in the fall. As part of the admissions process, the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) AND the UNM PT Program Application process are both required.  The PTCAS application deadline is December 1st of each year, and the UNM PT Application process deadline is December 15th of each year. To begin the PTCAS application process, visit the PTCAS website at www.ptcas.org.  The UNM Application can be downloaded by clicking here: Program Application and GPA Calculation form. 


UNM PT Program advisement sessions are held between May and November.

Dates for Advisement Sessions:

 

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please reserve your desired advisement date by contacting the Program, at (505) 272-6956, orUNMPTProgram@salud.unm.edu.

Sessions are held in the Health Science and Services Building on the 2nd Floor. Please refer to room 204 for exact location that day.  In special circumstances, individual sessions for those coming from out of town may be arranged by contacting us.

Download directions to our Program.

For general information regarding physical therapy as a profession, and about other PT schools, call the American Physical Therapy Association at 1-800-999-APTA or visit the APT Web site  at www.apta.org.

*For admissions preparation, please see the Admissions page*

Recruitment Highlights

  • The program is well established and has been in existence for more than 30 years (first class graduated in 1976).
  • Class size is relatively small, which is ideal for a physical therapy curriculum (student: faculty ratio ~3:1).
  • Students form solid bonds with one another, much like family.
  • The market for Physical Therapists is currently strong, a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
    • Average starting salary is  approximately $58,00-$75,000 per year
    • Graduates are approached before graduation for recruitment
    • All of our graduates have found placement
    • Many job opportunities are right here in New Mexico – check our Job Posting Page for recently submitted jobs
  • The curriculum is challenging, fulltime and intensive with 3 years of study.
  • Because we’re part of the School of Medicine (SOM), we have a definite advantage over most other schools, including use of SOM resources:
    • excellent cadaver lab; hands on education using cadavers
    • award winning medical library
    • more funding options
  • Exceptional students make our program what it is. They are in it for all the right reasons:
    • excellent students (average GPA of 3.5 or better)
    • choice to make a positive difference in another’s life
  • More financial aid opportunities than other graduate programs
  • Faculty retention a major plus:
    • faculty have a long-term commitment to the program and its students; many faculty have been in our program for over 15 years, bringing a continuity of excellence
    • faculty have a very broad range of specialties including neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports, acute care, etc.
    • faculty are in academic education for reasons that are other than financial; they are here for the students and love helping them learn!