Physical Therapy - Entry Level Admissions

The program is well established and has been in existence for close to 50 years (first class attended from 1974-1976).

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 job market for Physical Therapists is currently strong, a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

• Average starting salary is approximately $60,00-$75,000 per year.

• Graduates are often approached before graduation for employment.

• 100% of graduates find positions in physical therapy.

• Many job opportunities are right here in New Mexico – check out our Career Opportunities Page for recently submitted jobs.

The curriculum is challenging, fulltime and intensive over 34 months.

As a member of the School of Medicine (SOM), there is access to SOM resources:

• excellent cadaver lab; hands on education using cadavers

• award winning medical library

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

The program's selection process does not discriminate against any student on the basis of gender, marital or parental status, race, color, religion, age, national origin or physical handicap.

Faculty have a very broad range of specialties with board certified specialist is: neurology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and sports.

Faculty are in academic education for the love of teaching; they are here for the students and are dedicated to helping them learn!

Faculty team with our students on research and publications.

New opportunities for further education and clinical experiences:

• Orthopaedic residency program

• Service Learning opportunities

  • Balance Workshops

  • Albuquerque Opportunity Center (AOC)

• Rehabilitation, Exercise and Community Health (REACH) lab providing early clinical experiences.

• Faculty led 2-week clinical experience abroad - Guatemala, Ethiopia (currently on hold due to Covid-19)

Thank you for your interest in The University of New Mexico Physical Therapy Program.

We are located at the UNM Health Sciences Center campus, between the towering Sandia Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande Valley to the west. Northern New Mexico is high desert (Albuquerque sits at 5,000 ft above sea level), offering wonderful weather throughout the year. It is one of the only places in the world where one can ski in the mountains in the morning and bike in shorts in the valley the same afternoon. It is truly a special place for outdoor enthusiasts.

We are committed to student centered learning and have many non-traditional ways of learning, including: a faculty led 2-week clinical experience abroad; a rehabilitation, exercise and community health (REACH) service learning lab were students can obtain real world clinical experience beginning the first semester of the program; and simulated patient labs to address clinical skill development in a realistic setting. In addition, we offer full anatomy dissection in our state of the art gross anatomy laboratory.

Other highlights of our program include a motion analysis lab that we use for teaching, research and clinical gait analysis. Our research endeavors have grown considerably over the last few years, with active collaborations within exercise physiology, athletic training, and engineering. Additionally, we are involved with the North campus fitness center where students are paired with PT faculty on select Friday afternoons to develop custom fitness programs for UNM employees.

All in all, we are striving to provide creative ways to prepare students for the ever-evolving profession of physical therapy.

We are proud of our program and invite you to explore our website with updated news and events, attend an advisement session and contact our Director of Admissions, Dr. Jodi Schilz, with any questions.

Beth Moody Jones, PT, DPT, EdD
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Professor & Division Chief

Thank you for your interest in the UNM DPT Program. It is highly recommended that students interested in the UNM Physical Therapy Program attend a formal group advisement session to obtain the latest information about our program. These hour-long advisement sessions are held from April through September on Zoom to provide an opportunity for students to gather important information about the admissions process. For a current advisement session schedule please click here: ADVISEMENT SESSION SCHEDULE. All times listed are MST.

Please register for an advisement session by filling out the Advisement Session google form. There is no maximum limit to the sessions. Everyone is welcome. We will email you a zoom link the day before the session.

If you applied in a previous application cycle and want feedback on your application or you have specific admissions questions, please book a virtual appointment with the Director of Admissions. All appointments are made through Bookings and run through Microsoft teams. You will receive an appointment link in your confirmation email.

Please click on the "Join your appointment" link ~5 minutes before your appointment begins to make sure your connection is ready by the appointment time.

Thank you,
Admissions Committee

Any additional questions can be answered by our Director of Admissions, Dr. Jodi Schilz at jschilz@salud.unm.edu or (505) 925-4218.

Group advisement session and our website will answer 99% of your questions, any additional questions can be answered by:

• Dr. Jodi Schilz, Director of Admissions: jschilz@salud.unm.edu or (505) 925-4218

Click Here to Preview the Advisement Session Slides

For general information regarding physical therapy as a profession, and about other PT schools, visit the American Physical Therapy Association web site  or visit the PTCAS web site.

Application changes for the 2024-25 cycle:

Applications must be completed in PTCAS by October 1^st, 2024

• New required Summer Curriculum

Applicants admitted to the program will complete a required preparatory course on the foundational concepts of biomechanics, kinesiology, and joint structure and function. Through this course, learners will revisit various joints and regions of the body to gain an understanding of the detail and dept of learning required for success in our program. Learners will be assigned weekly readings, pre-recorded lectures, short assignments, and short weekly quizzes in the four foundational modules.

4 modules

• Kinesiology/biomechanics/joint structure
• Spine
• Upper Extremity
• Lower Extremity

Students will be required to purchase, in advance, a book used within the 1st year of our program to complete all assignments (Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis - F.A. Davis Company (fadavis.com)). This 4-week course will culminate in a final exam. Results from the exam will be used to consider potential student needs as they enter this rigorous graduate program.

Students are admitted once a year with classes beginning in August.  We will notify applicants of admissions selections by March 1.

• Female/male:  25/7

• GRE verbal (mean):  45^th percentile

• GRE quantitative (mean):  32^nd percentile

• Prerequisite GPA (mean):  3.7

• Cumulative GPA (mean):  3.8

• Instate/Out of State:  24/7

Requirements for a complete application include all of the following:

• Complete a bachelor's degree in any field by the spring semester May 2025 (semester curriculum) or June 2025 (trimester curriculum).

• Have a cumulative GPA from all coursework, both undergraduate and graduate combined, of greater than or equal to 2.67.

• We no longer require observation hours. In lieu of observation hours you are required to conduct a semi structured interview with the PT that writes your letter of recommendation. The interview will be submitted as your school specific essay. For specifics, please see the school specific essay section in PTCAS. Interview questions are posted here and in PTCAS where the essay is due.

• Arrange for two professional references (1 must be from a PT).

• Order official transcripts sent to PTCAS from all colleges and universities you have attended.

• Take the GRE by October 1^st, 2024. We do allow 2-3 weeks after the Oct 2^st deadline for your official scores to be sent from ETS. Please monitor that your official scores are sent from ETS to PTCAS.

  • There is no minimum GRE score required. However, the recommended score to ensure program readiness is 20% Quantitative & 25% Verbal. Submitting GRE scores that are considerably lower than the recommended scores may influence your overall application score. Please make sure and plan so you can take the GRE more than once, if necessary, before your application is due to ensure you are submitting your best application.

• Complete 30 hours of prerequisites with a B- or better AND have a prerequisite GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0. Only prerequisite classes completed in the US and Canada are accepted. Prerequisite courses completed outside of the United States or Canada will NOT be accepted. It is best to have all prerequisites completed by December 2024.

  • However, you are permitted to have one final prerequisite to be taken during the 2025 Spring Semester. If you have more than one (1) outstanding prerequisite class yet to take after the December 2024 academic update, your application will be considered incomplete and will not move forward.

  • Pass/Fail or CR/NC options are NOT acceptable for any of the pre-requisite courses except for those courses taken during Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 academic semesters. We will accept pass, credit and satisfactory grades for classes that were affected by the Coronavirus outbreak taken during the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 semesters.

  • If you are trying to use Advanced Placement credits for a prerequisite class, please contact us so we can verify that it meets the specific class requirements and is listed appropriately on your transcript.

  • Anatomy/physiology prerequisites must be taken within the last 5 years. There is no expiration date on the other prerequisite classes that meet the acceptable course, credit, and lab criteria listed on the prerequisites. It is recommended that you have a B or better in Anatomy/Physiology I and II to ensure success in the program.

  • If you are enrolled in classes in Spring of 2025, they must be listed in PTCAS as “in progress”. Remember that only one of those classes can be a prerequisite.

  • If you attend an institution that follows a quarter curriculum (4 terms per year fall, winter, spring and summer each lasting 11-12 weeks) then you need to verify in PTCAS that you have met the credit requirements for our prerequisites. For example: We require (2) 4-credit semester long Anatomy/Physiology (A/P) classes with labs (8 credits total). 4 semester credits = 6 quarter credits so to meet our Anatomy/Physiology prerequisite requirements you must have taken 12 quarter credits of A/P. You can do this by taking 3 sequential quarter A/P classes or combine 3 related anatomy/physiology quarter classes to equal 12 quarter credits. Please review your selected prerequisites. We will only accept/override the 0.33 credit deficiency (3 quarter credits = 2.67 semester credits) for 3-credit quarter psychology and statistics prerequisite classes. All other prerequisite requirements must meet the semester credit requirements.

• Complete the PTCAS application process by October 1^st, 2024.

  • Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. PTCAS may encounter technical difficulties due to high volume of applications being submitted.

  • Complete the NM Residency form if applicable, available via the provided link.

• Complete an academic update in PTCAS in December 2024, to update any classes listed as in progress in the Fall semester, if applicable.

• If invited, record the asynchronous interview answers in November/December 2024 and attend the in-person interviews held on January 11^th, 2025.

1. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Physical Therapy Program if they are unable to meet the technical standards of the program. Technical Standards for physical therapy students are defined by the program at the provided link.

2. If you have a physical or learning disability, you are asked to self-report your educational needs. Evaluation of the disability by a physician or other appropriate professional must be presented at the time of the report in order for accommodations to be arranged. Evaluation of the disability by a physician or other appropriate professional must be presented at the time of the report in order for accommodations to be arranged.

3. If you are accepted and currently enrolled in classes or have not yet graduated with your bachelor's degree, you will need to submit an updated transcript confirming your degree and any outstanding prerequisites to the UNM PT program. You will also be requested to send an official transcript as part of the UNM graduate school application process.

Complete 30 hours of prerequisites with a B- or better AND have a prerequisite GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0. Only prerequisite classes completed in the US and Canada are accepted. Prerequisite courses completed outside of the United States or Canada will NOT be accepted. It is best to have all prerequisites completed by December 2024.

We rank your prerequisite GPA heavily in the application process. In order to facilitate the highest GPA possible, we recommend you do the following when selecting your prerequisite courses:

• Use the highest course grade possible for your prerequisite selection. You may substitute a higher-level class for the prerequisite as long as you have taken the lower level required class.

  • As an example: you took Chemistry 1 + lab (4 cr.) your sophomore year and earned a B. Your junior year you took biochemistry + lab (4 cr.), a higher-level chemistry that had a prerequisite requirement of Chemistry 1 and you earned an A. You may use that higher-level chemistry class with the A, to match our prerequisites. Select the highest grade earned on all classes you may have retaken.

• You are permitted to have one final prerequisite to be taken during the 2025 Spring Semester. If you have more than one (1) outstanding prerequisite class yet to take after the December 2024 academic update, your application will be considered incomplete and will not move forward.

• Pass/Fail or CR/NC options are NOT acceptable for any of the pre-requisite courses except for those courses taken during Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 academic semesters. We will accept pass, credit and satisfactory grades for classes that were affected by the Coronavirus outbreak taken during the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 semesters.

• If you are trying to use Advanced Placement credits for a prerequisite class, please contact us so we can verify that it meets the specific class requirements and is listed appropriately on your transcript.

• Anatomy/physiology prerequisites must be taken within the last 5 years. There is no expiration date on the other prerequisite classes that meet the acceptable course, credit and lab criteria listed on the prerequisites. It is recommended that you have a B or better in Anatomy/Physiology I and II to ensure success in the program.

• If you are enrolled in classes in Fall of 2024 or Spring of 2025 they should also be listed in PTCAS as "in progress". Remember only one of those classes can be a prerequisite.

• If you attend an institution that follows a quarter curriculum (4 terms per year fall, winter, spring and summer each lasting 11-12 weeks) then you need to verify in PTCAS that you have met the credit requirements for our prerequisites.

  • For example: We require two 4-credit semester long Anatomy/Physiology classes with labs. 4 semester credits = 6 quarter credits so to meet our Anatomy/Physiology prerequisite requirements you must have taken 12 quarter credits of A/P. You can do this by taking 3 sequential quarter A/P classes or combine 3 related anatomy/physiology quarter classes to equal 12 quarter credits.

  • Please review your selected prerequisites. We will only accept/override the 0.33 credit deficiency (3 quarter credits = 2.67 semester credits) for 3-credit quarter psychology and statistics prerequisite classes. All other prerequisite requirements must meet the semester credit requirements

You will need to complete 30 hours of prerequisites with a B- or better AND have a prerequisite GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0. Only prerequisite classes completed in the US and Canada are accepted. Prerequisite courses completed outside of the United States or Canada will NOT be accepted. It is best to have all prerequisites completed by December 2024.

• Psychology (3 credits): You must have one upper level psychology class. Upper-level classes usually require an introduction course as a prerequisite. UNM & CNM class code examples: PSYC2120, PSYC2220, PSYC2250. For a complete list of classes that are accepted please visit the UNM PTCAS directory page under course prerequisites.

• Statistics (3 credits): Must be a standalone statistics class (not just part of a research class). UNM & CNM class codes: MATH1350 or PSYC2510.

• Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits): Lecture and lab is required to total 4 credits. Anatomy/Phys I – BIOL2210 & 2210L. Class must include structure and function of the HUMAN body and organization/integration of systems. Must be taken within the last 5 years. It is recommended that you have a B or better in Anatomy/Physiology I and II to ensure success in the program.

• Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits): Lecture and lab is required to total 4 credits. UNM & CNM class codes: Anatomy/Phys II -BIOL2225 & 2225L. Class must include structure and function of the HUMAN body and organization/integration of systems. Must be taken within the last 5 years. It is recommended that you have a B or better in Anatomy/Physiology I and II to ensure success in the program.

• Chemistry I (4 credits): Lecture and lab required to total 4 credits. UNM & CNM class codes: Chemistry I – CHEM1215 & 1215L. Chemistry class codes 1105, 1106, 1110 or 1120 do not meet our requirements.

• Chemistry II (4 credits): Lecture and lab required to total 4 credits.UNM & CNM class codes: Chemistry II – CHEM1225 & 1225L. Chemistry class codes 1105, 1106, 1110 or 1120 do not meet our requirements.

• Physics I (4 credits): Lecture and lab required to total 4 credits. UNM & CNM class codes: Physics I – PHYS1230 & 130L. Physics class codes 1115 & 1115L, 1110 or 1120 do not meet our requirements. We also accept calculus-based Physics.

• Physics II (4 credits): Lecture and lab required to total 4 credits. UNM & CNM class codes: Physics II – PHYS1240 & 1240L. Physics class codes 1115 & 1115L, 1110 or 1120 do not meet our requirements. We also accept calculus-based Physics.

If you are unsure of how many prerequisite courses you have completed: Complete this prerequisites worksheet and send an email with unofficial copies of your transcripts to HSC-UNMPTProgram@salud.unm.edu. We will be happy to review the classes you have selected as your prerequisites and confirm/deny if they qualify.

If you attend an institution that follows a quarter curriculum (4 terms per year fall, winter, spring and summer each lasting 11-12 weeks) then you need to verify in PTCAS that you have met the credit requirements for our prerequisites. For example: We require two 4-credit semester long Anatomy/Physiology classes with labs. 4 semester credits = 6 quarter credits so to meet our Anatomy/Physiology prerequisite requirements you must have taken 12 quarter credits of A/P. You can do this by taking 3 sequential quarter A/P classes or combine 3 related anatomy/physiology quarter classes to equal 12 quarter credits.

Please review your selected prerequisites. We will only accept/override the 0.33 credit deficiency (3 quarter credits = 2.67 semester credits) for 3-credit quarter psychology and statistics prerequisite classes. All other prerequisite requirements must meet the semester credit requirements

Please remember most, if not all, of your questions can be answered at one of our Advisement Sessions. You can reference the schedule under the Advisement tab.

• What is the application deadline? 

  • Your application is due by midnight (EST) October 1^st, 2024. Do not wait until the last minute. PTCAS may encounter technical difficulties due to high volume of applications being submitted.

• How many hours should I spend observing in a PT clinic? 

  • Observation hours are no longer required to apply. However, for your essay in PTCAS you will be conducting a semi-structured interview with the PT who writes your letter of recommendation. Wanting to help people is a noble cause however there are many types of jobs where you can help people. Being a PT is wonderful, but it is not for everyone. By interviewing a PT, we hope you better understand the immense knowledge needed to treat patients and some of the complicated issues that go into being a PT. Knowing you have considered the career in its entirety and can talk about your ideas and goals as a future PT helps our program have confidence you have the grit to make it through the program. If you decide to do observation hours, they are for personal growth but are not a requirement of admissions and the amount will not be calculated within the admissions score.

• I’m submitting my application through PTCAS and it says I need to also submit the residency form – I’m not from New Mexico, do I need to submit this form? 

  • This form is only required for New Mexico residents. New Mexico applicants must complete and submit the following residency information form and supporting documentation on PTCAS by October 1^st, 2024.

• Does it matter what my degree is in? 

  • No, but a 4 year bachelor’s degree is required. Your degree must be completed by May 2025 (semester curriculum) or June 2025 (trimester curriculum).

• Does it matter what school I attended for my degree? 

  • No, it does not

• Do I need to major in a specific area to apply to the DPT Program? 

  • No, any major is accepted as long as you have met the requirements for the program.

• Do I send my GRE score to UNM? 

  • Submit your official GRE scores to code #7670 for the UNM Physical Therapy Program within PTCAS. GRE scores for code #7670 will automatically be sent to PTCAS. Do NOT send your GRE scores to the UNM DPT Program or graduate admissions. The GRE testing must be completed by October 1^st, 2024.

  • We will accept the At-Home GRE testing being offered by ETS, but the deadline for taking the GRE is still October 1^st, 2024.

• Is there a minimum score for the GRE? 
  

  • There is no longer a minimum GRE score required. However, the recommended score to ensure program readiness is 20^th percentile Quantitative & 25^th percentile Verbal. Submitting GRE scores that are considerably lower than the recommended scores may influence your overall application score. Please make sure and plan so you can take the GRE more than once, if necessary, before your application is due to ensure you are submitting your best application.

• What if I am taking a prerequisite class now? How do you get my grades? 

  When you submit your original application, you will list any classes that you are registered for in the fall and planning to take in the Spring as in progress. In December after your application is submitted, you will complete an academic update through PTCAS.

  • When those grades have been verified, PTCAS will automatically update the grades and update your prerequisite and cumulative GPA’s.

  • SUBMIT YOUR TRANSCRIPTS TO PTCAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN DECEMBER TO ASSURE WE HAVE YOUR UPDATED GPA. 

• Do I have to have all the prerequisites complete before I can apply to the program? 

  No, you can be taking prerequisite classes in the Fall semester while submitting the application. Those classes must be listed as in progress in PTCAS and updated during the December academic update in PTCAS.

  • Our policy is that you are permitted to have one (1) final prerequisite to be taken during the Spring Semester after your application has been submitted. If you have more than one (1) outstanding prerequisite class yet to take after the December academic update, your application will be considered incomplete and will not move forward.

• Can I use Advanced Placement courses for prerequisite classes? 

  If you are trying to use Advanced Placement credits for a prerequisite class, please contact us so we can verify that it meets the specific class requirements and is listed appropriately on your transcript.

• Do I need to send my transcript to you or can it be sent from my school? 

  Send your transcripts to PTCAS. We are able to access your official grades and transcripts on PTCAS. 

  • If you are accepted to the program but had outstanding prerequisite coursework and/or you did not have your bachelor’s degree when you applied then you will need to send the UNM PT Program an official transcript to verify your degree status and completion of the final prerequisite class.

• Are there any time restrictions on prerequisite courses? 

  Anatomy/physiology prerequisites must be taken within the last 5 years. There is no expiration date on the other prerequisite classes that meet the acceptable course, credit and lab criteria.  

• Can I use Web-Based courses for prerequisites?

  For the University of New Mexico (and PTCAS) to accept credits earned from a web-based course, that course must appear on a transcript from an accredited college or university. Therefore, if the online course you have taken or plan to take is offered by UNM or CNM (or any other accredited college or university), and it satisfies our requirement, the course will be accepted. All course work is verified through PTCAS. If you have questions regarding validity of an institution please contact PTCAS directly.

• Are Pass/Fail or CR/NC options accepted for prerequisite courses?
  
  Pass/Fail or CR/NC options are NOT acceptable for prerequisitie courses except for those courses taken during the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 academic semesters. We will accept pass, credit and satisfactory grades for classes that were affected by the Coronavirus outbreak during the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 semesters.

• Are classes taken at quarter colleges accepted?

  If you attend an institution that follows a quarter curriculum (4 terms per year fall, winter, spring and summer each lasting 11-12 weeks) then you need to verify in PTCAS that you have met the credit requirements for our prerequisites. For example: We require 2 4-credit semester long Anatomy/Physiology classes with labs. 4 semester credits = 6 quarter credits so to meet our Anatomy/Physiology prerequisite requirements you must have taken 12 quarter credits of A/P. You can do this by taking 3 sequential quarter A/P classes or combine 3 related anatomy/physiology quarter classes to equal 12 quarter credits.

• Please review your selected prerequisites. We will only accept/override the 0.33 credit deficiency (3 quarter credits = 2.67 semester credits) for 3-credit quarter psychology and statistics prerequisite classes. All other prerequisite requirements must meet the semester credit requirements

Do I need to perform an academic update in PTCAS?  

If you have outstanding coursework, have incomplete prerequisites or are still taking any additional classes that will go into your overall GPA, you MUST complete an academic update in December. Click here for information on how to perform an academic update in PTCAS.

There are many qualities that make up a competitive candidate and although it is difficult to paint a picture of someone guaranteed to get in, here are some guidelines:

• Excellent prerequisite GPA—higher than the minimum requirement of a 3.0.

  • What is a competitive GPA? Compare your prerequisite GPA to the Class of 2027. If you are near those values, you would be considered competitive. The farther away you get the less competitive you are.

• Good cumulative GPA—higher than the minimum requirement of a 2.67.

  • What is a competitive cumulative GPA? Compare your cumulative GPA to the Class of 2027. If you are near those values, you would be considered competitive. The farther away you get the less competitive you are.

• Demonstrated ability to successfully complete rigorous course loads.

  • Have you taken 12+ hours of rigorous science classes together and scored A’s and B’s in those classes? This shows us you can excel in similar situations in our program.

• Quality preparation for the GRE General Test so that you score well above the recommended requirements. of 20^th percentile for the quantitative section and 25^th for the verbal.

  • The recommended score on the GRE is ≥20^th percentile for Quantitative and ≥25^th percentile for Verbal. These are recommended scores to ensure your success in the program.

    • There is no minimum GRE score required. Submitting GRE scores that are considerably lower than the recommended scores may influence your overall application score. Please make sure and plan so you can take the GRE more than once, if necessary, before your application is due to ensure you are submitting your best application.

    • If you take the GRE 3-4 times and are not improving please consider a test prep class for test taking strategies. Click here for more information on the GRE and for GRE Prep courses. 

• Strong letters of recommendation—be sure to carefully consider the people you ask to write your letters; you want to know that they will go the extra mile and include detailed information about you because we are not allowed to call and contact them.

  • You are required to have 1 letter from a Physical Therapist.

• There are 2 essays in PTCAS. The topic of one essay is set by the APTA. The topic of the second essay is decided by the school you are applying to. In lieu of observation hours you are required to conduct a semi-structured interview with the PT that writes your letter of recommendation. The interview will be submitted as your school specific essay. For specifics, please see the school specific essay section in PTCAS. Interview questions are posted here and in PTCAS where the essay is due.

• The PT program at UNM requires a recorded asynchronous interview in November/December. If invited, the asynchronous interview gives you the opportunity to let the panelists know who you are by recording short video answers to interview style questions on topics including why you want to be a PT, how you would contribute to the field, and how you will overcome obstacles to succeed once admitted.

Yes, all applicants, regardless of status in the United States, are considered for the PT Program. Applicants must reside in New Mexico for a minimum of 12 consecutive months at the time of application or have graduated from a New Mexico High School and attended for at least one year. In addition, applicants must have of a minimum of two years of full-time undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited college or university in the United States and all minimum requirements must be met. Only prerequisite classes completed in the US and Canada are accepted. Prerequisite courses completed outside of the United States or Canada will NOT be accepted.

TOEFL scores are required.  The UNM PT program requires high-intermediate scores for the 4 core skills including Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Click here for more information on the UNM Center for English Language and American Culture (CELAC).

International students who are attending and will graduate from an accredited university in the US may be eligible. Please contact jschilz@salud.unm.edu for more information.

International students are ineligible for federal financial aid, including education loans, and must provide financial documentation showing how the cost of education and living expenses will be paid for a period of one year.

Due to visa restrictions and regulations regarding employment, post-graduate residency placement may be difficult or unlikely for students without the appropriate work visa status.

For information on visa requirements and restrictions, please contact the UNM International Admissions Global Education Office at (505) 277-4032 or goglobal@unm.edu.

Yes, DACA applicants are considered for the PT Program. Applicants must reside in New Mexico for a minimum of 12 consecutive months from the time of application or have graduated from a New Mexico High School and attended for at least one year. All other minimum requirements including minimum GPA, GRE, and prerequisites must be completed as well.

Please note that DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid, including federal education loans.

Although the majority of our students are residents of New Mexico, residents of other states are invited to apply.

Non-residents after their first year can petition for NM residency for tuition purposes.  For information on how to petition for residency please visit the UNM Residency Information website.

Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and eligible U.S. Pacific Territories are eligible to apply to our program under the Professional Student Exchange Program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).

Please verify that your state is participating in WICHE the year in which you are applying. Students who complete the WICHE application process in their home state prior to the WICHE submission deadline and get certified as eligible for WICHE will be considered as in-state residents for admissions purposes. If you are admitted to the program as WICHE, you must complete the program and fulfill your WICHE contract.  For more information on WICHE, please visit their website at www.wiche.edu.

The application process works in 3 parts. The first part is to present an application that aims for the best in all application requirements so that you are considered a top applicant and granted an asynchronous interview.

The asynchronous interview is the second part which if invited to, gives you the opportunity to let the panelists know who you are by recording short video answers to interview style questions on topics including: why you want to be a PT, how you would contribute to the field, and how you will overcome obstacles to succeed once admitted.

The third portion is the in-person interviews. In-person interviews gives you an opportunity to view our facilities and get to know the faculty, staff, and current students. It also gives us the opportunity to meet you in person and get to know you better. In person interviews will be held on January 11^th, 2025 and consist of questions on topics including challenges in the PT profession, how you deal with success and challenges, and your goals as a PT.

It is important to note that the UNM DPT program is 3 years full time, with classes and clinical experiences taking place in the spring, summer, and fall semesters—you will be busy all week with some weekends and many evenings required for REACH Lab and other projects. The content is compounding and rigorous even for experienced students, so it is very important to have a clear plan when entering the program.

We have drafted a PDF which estimates the costs of the program. Please note that these are estimated costs and actual expenses will vary:

•  Estimated Student Expense Sheet