University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus School of Health Professions Department of Graduate Programs

INFORMATION BULLETIN OF THE GRADUATE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM

Prepared by: Professor Cynthia Cruz Consultant and Editor: Professor Carmen L. Coln Santaella, PhD, PT
Approved by the Faculty of the Graduate Physical Therapy Program in March 2002 Revised June 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPICS I. II. III. IV. V. Introduction Curriculum Goals of the Graduate Physical Therapy Program Goals of the Graduate Physical Therapy Program Language Curriculum Curricular sequence Course descriptions Program Faculty and Special Interests Admission Requirements Admission Procedures Admissions Formula Financial Aids Available Estimated Costs of Studies Accreditation Status Licensing Requirements in Puerto Rico PAGE 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 12 15 16 17 18 20 20 21 21 22

VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII.

XIV. Physical Working Conditions of the Physical Therapist XV. Physical Therapy Program Student Outcomes

I. INTRODUCTION The Master of Science in Physical Therapy Program is housed within the Department of Graduate Programs in the School of Health Professions of the University of Puerto Rico in the Medical Sciences Campus. Do to Medical Sciences Campus remodelation the Physical Therapy Program the Administrative Offices has been temporally relocated at the 4th floor of the San Juan Aging Center (Clnica Antillas). It is the first and only program in Puerto Rico, which leads to a Master Entry Level Degree in Physical Therapy. The Program began in 1951 as the School of Physical Therapy and became part of the School of Health Professions at the time of the Colleges inception in 1976 and since then has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The duration of the professional curriculum is 3 years. Admissions to the program will be considered once every year. Students will begin diurnal fulltime classes in September of the year of admission. They are expected to complete 90 credits and graduate three years later upon completion of the graduation requirements. The programs mission is to graduate versatile physical therapists who will serve the Puerto Rican community and the World. These, entry level physical therapists, will provide quality service in patient/client management, education, research, administration, consultation, and advocacy of health care policy. In synchrony with the mission of the School of Health Professions, we embrace three dimensions of the educational experience: teaching, research and service. The program integrates these three components while enabling the graduate to respond proactively to the needs of the society in relation to the ever-changing health care delivery system structure. The faculty aims to provide the learning environment, which will allow the graduate to be a competent professional, dedicated to lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Upon the completion of this degree the graduate is qualified to work as a general practitioner in physical therapy and will be able to offer services in the following scenarios: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, geriatric centers, industries, schools, sports medicine centers, health promotion programs, private practice, community programs, and others. The graduate will be able to assume the roles of being a clinician, researcher, administrator, educator and consultant in the above mentioned scenarios.

II. CURRICULUM GOALS OF THE GRADUATE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM The Graduate Physical Therapy Program is a daytime program with the following general curriculum goals: The graduate will be able to: Provide physical therapy services in promotion, prevention, acute care and/or rehabilitation. Use the critical thinking process to function as a problem solver and decisionmaker. Practice physical therapy by integrating clinical, educational, administrative, consultative, and research skills. Apply the biological, physical, behavioral, and clinical sciences to provide comprehensive patient/client management. Demonstrate professional behavior, which indicates maturity, responsibility, and value of the worth and well being of each individual. Be committed to ongoing self /peer evaluation and to continued personal and professional growth. Practice his/her profession in an ethical and legal manner. Practice as a member of the health care team. Play an important role in professional and community organizations. Participate in the development of health care policy in organizational systems.

III.

GOALS OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPY GRADUATE PROGRAM

Recruit students who possess both the academic preparation and the personal qualifications needed to develop the knowledge and skills of physical therapy. Recruit and develop highly qualified faculty with evidence of teaching, research, and clinical skills. Offer the student didactic and clinical experiences of excellency that will promote the optimum development of their professional competencies.

 Graduate students in the area of physical therapy who will provide high quality services to the Puerto Rican community in the areas of direct clinical services, education, consultation, administration and research. Diversify, develop, and maintain excellency in the clinical education component of the program. Provide and promote continuing education activities for alumni and clinical faculty. Collaborate with other health care disciplines in activities such as research, instruction, and community service. Provide community services consistent with the Philosophy of the Program. Demonstrate scholarly productivity. Influence the development of models of physical therapy services. Continue to evaluate the curriculum, mission, goals, and students competencies of the program in a systematic manner and critique methods of this evaluation process. IV. LANGUAGE

All the courses of the Program are given in Spanish. Students are expected to demonstrate fluency in reading, writing, talking, and understanding Spanish. Many of the articles, books and other references used in the curriculum are in English therefore students should be able to read and understand English. The Program offers the opportunity for students to request clinical experiences in the United States. Those interested in this experience will be evaluated before their clinical practice assignment in order to assess their English language skills. V. CURRICULUM

A. Curriculum Description The curriculum of the Program is competency based. All courses in the Masters curriculum are required. The student does not select a concentration or choose electives. Courses are distributed in the following components: foundational sciences, professional socialization, clinical skills and clinical practice. Teaching strategies include but are not limited to lecture, supervised lab practice, tutorials, role-playing and debate. Tutorials are implemented throughout the curriculum, in order to provide opportunities for the discussion of case problems that reflect the content of concurrent and previous courses. Curriculum content in research, including the requirement of a group research project, will contribute to the development of problem solving skills and knowledge based practice.

B. Curricular Sequence
PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM Academic Sessions
First Semester of First Year (September December) ANAT 6005 - ANAT 6005 - Human Anatomy.

Semester Credits
4 credits

TEFI 6009 Functional Procedures Second Semester of First Year (January May)
TEFI 6007 - Human Physiology. TEFI 6008 - Neuroscience. INVE 6011 - Research I. TEFI 6010 - Introduction to Professional Socialization..... TEFI 6001 - Kinesiology I TEFI 6003 - Tutorial I

1 credits 5
3 credits 3 credits 2 credits 2 credits 2 credits 2 credits 14 2 credits 2.5 credits 2.5 credits 2 credits 2 credits 2 credits 2 credits 15

First Semester of Second Year (August December)

TEFI 6002 - Kinesiology II TEFI 6021 - Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention in PT I. TEFI 6023 - Neurological Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention in PT I... TEFI 6015 - Physical Therapist as Educator and Communicator.. TEFI 6033 - Clinical Correlations I.... INVE 6012 - Research II TEFI 6004 - Tutorial II.. V. Second Semester of Second Year (January June)

First module
TEFI 6041 - Clinical Practice I (First Six (6) Weeks) Second module TEFI 5000 - Social Aspects of Illnesss... TEFI 6022 - Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention in PT II. TEFI 6025 - Cardiopulmonary Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention in PT..... TEFI 6034 - Clinical Correlations II.. TEFI 6013 - Research III (Proposal)...... TEFI 6005 - Tutorial III. First Semester of Third Year (August December) TEFI 6014 - Research IV... First 7 week module TEFI 6024 - Neurological Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention in PT II TEFI 6036 - Administration and Consultation in PT Second 5 week module TEFI 6042 - Clinical Practice II. Third 6 week module TEFI 6043 - Clinical Practice III.. Second Semester of Third Year (January May) TEFI 6044 - Clinical Practice IV.. 16 credits 90 6 credits 3 credits 2.5 credits 2 credits 3 credits 1.5 credits 2 credits 20 2 credits 2 credits 3 credits 5 credits 8 credits 20

TOTAL CREDITS....

C. Course Descriptions ANAT 6005 Human Anatomy 4 credits This is a course in gross human anatomy taught through lectures and laboratories. Major emphasis is given to musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Basic concepts of histology and embryology are also covered. Supervised laboratory sessions include cadaver dissection and the use of prosected cadavers. The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge and application of descriptive anatomy. Relevant concepts of radiographic anatomy are also discussed. TEFI 6009 Functional Procedures 1 credit This is an introductory course in the handling of patients/clients with functional limitations who require from maximal assistance to contact guarding during the performance of basic mobility activities. Safety measures and the use of proper body mechanics are addressed. Supervised laboratory experiences are included in all the units of the course. Students will demonstrate basic skills in handling patients/clients requiring guarding and/or assistance in activities of basic mobility. TEFI 6008 Basic Neuroscience 3 credits Through lectures, discussions, and supervised laboratory experience, this course provides basic knowledge of structure, organization, and function of the Central Nervous System in relation to disease and behavior. It addresses the areas of sensory processing, motor control, nervous control of visceral functions, plasticity and cognitive function, among others. It is expected that the physical therapy students and/or students of the health sciences acquire a framework for understanding the nervous system as a basis to more advanced and detailed study in the area of applied neuroscience. TEFI 6007 Human Physiology 3 credits Through lectures, group discussion, and supervised laboratory practice this course will study the cellular, histological and system physiology with emphasis in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and the pulmonary function. It addresses the physiological principles required for understanding the changes in the human body systems function across the lifespan, in pathological states, and in response to physical therapy intervention with emphasis in the physiological effects of exercise. The student is expected to understand the basic physiological responses of the human body TEFI 6001 Kinesiology I 2 credits Basic course in the study of human motion, which includes kinematics and kinetics required for the understanding of normal and abnormal movement. Anatomical, biomechanical and physiological principles are defined and applied in the description and analysis of static and dynamic postures. Students will identify and analyze the forces acting on body segments and their effects during normal functional activities. The composition and biomechanical behavior of the principal tissues of the musculoskeletal system are described and compared. The course also provides the foundation for understanding physical therapy evaluations and therapeutic applications. Movement

analysis of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand is presented applying the concepts and principles discussed in the course. Supervised laboratory experiences are included. TEFI 6002 Kinesiology II 2 credits This course is a continuation of TEFI 6001-Kinesiology I. It deals with the study of human motion, which includes kinematics and kinetics required for the understanding of normal and abnormal movement. The student will apply anatomical, biomechanical and physiological principles in the description and analysis of motion of the shoulder, joints of the lower extremity, spine, trunk, and gait. Supervised laboratory experiences are included. TEFI 6033 Clinical Correlations I 2 credits This course provides an introduction to the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with disease and trauma caused by inflammation, infection, and immune deficiency across the lifespan. The etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and medical and surgical management are discussed. It addresses the diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, hematologic, endocrine, digestive, genitourinary, and integumentary systems most frequently encountered in the practice of physical therapy. Students are expected to apply concepts of pathophysiology in clinical correlations associated with the physical therapy practice. Lecture is the primary instructional strategy. TEFI 6034 Clinical Correlations II 3 credits This course proceeds TEFI 6033 Clinical Correlations I. The course addresses pathophysiological mechanisms associated with disease and trauma including etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations across the lifespan, and medical and surgical management. It continues the discussion of diseases which affect the integumentary system and addresses the diseases of the musculoskeletal system as well as otorhinolaryngologic and ophtalmologic conditions most frequently encountered in the practice of physical therapy. Lecture is the primary instructional strategy. TEFI 6021 Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy I 2.5 credits The course addresses the Physical Therapy management of patients/clients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system with a regional approach. It includes age-related musculoskeletal disorders. Through supervised laboratory experiences the student addresses the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention in physical therapy, and discharge planning with emphasis on prevention and alleviation of impairments and functional limitations. The students are expected to demonstrate adequate management of cases, starting with simple situations, progressing to complex ones.

TEFI 6022 Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy II 2.5 credits This course is a continuation of TEFI 6021- Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy I. It addresses the Physical therapy management of patients/clients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system with a regional approach. It includes gait analysis, work hardening, and ergonomics as well as age-related musculoskeletal disorders and physical therapy care in the promotion, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation. Through supervised laboratory experiences the student addresses the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention in physical therapy, and discharge planning with emphasis on prevention and alleviation of impairments and functional limitations. The student is expected to demonstrate adequate management of clinical cases. TEFI 6023 Neurological Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy I 2.5 credits This course addresses the management of patients/clients with neuromuscular disorders. It focuses on the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention in physical therapy, discharge planning and patient education with emphasis on prevention and alleviation of impairments and functional limitations. It is case based, starting with simple situations, progressing to complex ones, including the management of peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, and other disorders of the central nervous system age related conditions. Supervised laboratory practices are included. The student is expected to demonstrate adequate management of clinical cases. TEFI 6024 Neurological Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy II 2.5 credits This course is a continuation of TEFI 6023 Neurological Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy I. This course addresses the physical therapy management of patients/clients with neuromuscular disorders. It focuses on the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention in physical therapy, and discharge planning with emphasis on prevention and alleviation of impairments and functional limitations. The course is case- based, starting with simple situations progressing to complex ones, including the management of non-progressive and progressive disorders of the Central Nervous System, including age related conditions. The student is expected to demonstrate adequate management of clinical cases. Supervised laboratory experiences are included. TEFI 6025 Cardiopulmonary Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Intervention in Physical Therapy 2 Credits This course addresses the physical therapy management of patients/clients with primary acute, chronic dysfunction and secondary dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. The course includes age-related cardiopulmonary disorders and addresses the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention in physical therapy, discharge planning and patient/client education with emphasis on prevention and alleviation of impairments and functional limitations. The course is case-based, starting with simple,

progressing to complex ones. The student is expected to demonstrate adequate management of clinical cases. Supervised laboratory experiences are included. TEFI 6010 Introduction to Professional Socialization 2 credits This course addresses the role of the physical therapist as a member of the health care team, as well as the physical therapy practice expectations and domains. Discussion of issues that impact the delivery of physical therapy services is also included. The student is expected to reflect on the scope of physical therapy and the impact that, becoming a physical therapist, has in his/her social responsibilities. TEFI 6015 Physical Therapist as Educator and Communicator 2 credits Through lectures and group discussions this course provides and introduction to the education and communication processes in physical therapy. The student will utilize and apply basic concepts needed for planning the teaching situation as a tool in physical therapy practice. Basic concepts on communication processes during face to face interaction as well as written clinical documentation are included. The student is expected to develop basic skills in the analysis of communication processes as well as in the proposition of alternative strategies. TEFI 6036 Administration and Consultation in Physical Therapy 2 credits This course provides conceptual and technical background in the area of administration and consulting which will enable physical therapy students to understand the changing role of physical therapist in the future health care delivery system. Topics to be discussed include, among others, strategic and operational planning, the health care delivery system, budgeting and reimbursement, supervision and tasks delegation, marketing, managerial roles and functions, conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills, entrepreneurship, interpretation of legal and ethical issues related to the management of physical therapy services. Instructional strategies include the integration of tutorial and problem based learning oriented activities, group dynamics with integrated activities, discussion and presentations, review of literature, and problem solving activities featuring case analysis laboratories. TEFI 5000 Social Aspects of Illness 3 credits The course elaborates, in a general way, a theoretical framework which comprises, from the mechanical to the complex, the world views utilized in the human sciences to account for the ill-human being. It provides for the discussions of the processes by which the ill subject is constituted through language and through the everyday practices of medicine/health professions. Given its importance to the field of physical therapy, the course will analyze the communication processes in the interaction physiotherapistpatient, paying particular attention to the notion of body movement as product and producer of signification in the resignification process of the ill body. The course is opened to graduate students from other programs INVE 6011 Research I 2 credits This course is an introduction to the research process. Includes the philosophical and theoretical assumptions underlying empirical science as well as those directly related to

measurement theory and designs based on the experimental paradigm. Emphasis is given on practical implications as they apply to professional practice, critical review of literature, and to basic principles of descriptive and inferential statistics. The student is expected to develop skills in search, evaluation, and selection of useful and reliable information sources. INVE 6012 Research II 2 credits This course is an introduction to qualitative research. It includes the philosophical and theoretical assumptions of post-empiricist epistemology, as well as their practical applications to professional practice and to critical review of literature. The student is expected to further develop skills in search, evaluation, and selection of useful and reliable information sources previously introduced in INVE 6011 - Research I. A potential researchable problem following a specific area of interest is expected to be proposed and framed within the continuum of experimental-qualitative research designs. TEFI 6013 Research III 1.5 credits This course consists of the development of a group proposal to be pursued as research project. Each group of students will be assigned to an advisor. Feasibility of project completion based upon the curriculum time frame and availability of resources must be demonstrated. Weekly progress meetings are required. Extensive reading, research, and writing is expected. TEFI 6014 Research IV 2 credits This course consists of the completion of a group research project based upon the research proposal approved in TEFI 6013 - Research III. Each group will continue working on data collection and analysis, interpretation of results and drawing of conclusions. Progress meetings, as agreed by advisor and students, are required. Extensive reading, research and writing is expected. The advisor and two faculty members appointed as readers must approve the final written project. It must be orally presented and submitted in the format required for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TEFI 6003 Tutorial I 2 credits This course addresses a variety of health problems likely to be encountered in physical therapy practice. A case-based approach is used focusing on small group discussions of such issues. Cases are designed to parallel the content of concurrent and previous courses. Students are expected to gain knowledge and reasoning skills for problem solving in relevant contexts. The role of the professor as facilitator is to promote learning, rather than to disseminate information.

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*TEFI 6004 Tutorial II 2 credits This is the second of three tutorial courses in which a problem-based approach is used. The course focuses on small group discussions of cases of a variety of health problems and professional issues likely to be encountered in physical therapy practice. Cases are designed to integrate the content of concurrent and previous courses. The level of complexity increases as compared to those presented in TEFI 6003 - Tutorial I. Students will assess the relevance, validity and reliability of the information used to address the learning issues. The student is expected to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to make decisions independently. The role of the professor as facilitator is to promote learning rather than to disseminate information. *TEFI 6005 Tutorial III 2 credits This is the last of three tutorial courses in which a problem-based approach is used. The course focuses on small group discussions of cases of a variety of health problems and professional issues likely to be encountered in physical therapy practice. Cases are designed to integrate the content of concurrent and previous courses. The level of complexity of the cases increases as compared to those presented in Tutorial II (TEFI 6004). Students will assess the relevance, validity and reliability of the information used to address the learning issues. The student is expected to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to make decisions independently. The role of the professor as facilitator is to promote learning rather than to disseminate information. TEFI 6041 Clinical Practice I 6 credits This is the first of four full time clinical experiences which focuses in content discussed in the pre-requisites courses. This practice emphasizes basic skills in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, case management, and communication. The student is expected to actively participate in the planning and preparation of his/her clinical experience. The student begins to think, feel, and act as a physical therapist. It is a sixweek supervised clinical experience offered in a clinical site. This course may require traveling and housing outside of the immediate San Juan Metropolitan Area. TEFI 6042 Clinical Practice II 5 credits This is the second full time clinical practice, composed of five weeks of guided experience with special focus in case studies that could be of short or long duration. This practice will emphasize specific skills in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, case management, and communication within a variety of settings. These include but are not limited to acute care, ambulatory care, skilled nursing facilities/nursing home, ergonomics, home health care, rehabilitation, school program and wellness programs. The student is expected to actively participate in the planning and preparation of his/her clinical experience. This course is offered in facilities that may be located outside the immediate San Juan Metropolitan Area.

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TEFI 6043 Clinical Practice III 8 credits This is the third full time supervised clinical practice, composed of eight weeks clinical experience. The student is expected to function safely and independently with confirmation from the instructor. He or she is responsible for total patient/client physical therapy care. The student is also expected to actively participate in the planning of his/her clinical experience. This course is offered in a site that may be located anywhere in Puerto Rico or outside the island. This course may require traveling and housing arrangements. TEFI 6044 Clinical Practice IV 16 credits This is the fourth full-time supervised clinical practice, composed of sixteen weeks of a clinical experience offered in a site that may be located anywhere in Puerto Rico or outside the island. The student will function safely and independently as an entry-level practitioner in patient care, administration, consultation, education, and research. The student is expected to actively participate in the planning of his/her clinical experience. This course may require traveling and housing arrangements. VI. PROGRAM FACULTY AND SPECIAL INTERESTS List of faculty members Program Director Stanley Hartgraves, PT, PhD Professor E-mail: stanley.hartgraves@upr.edu Office: 402 Telephone: (787) 765-2144 Areas of expertise: Pharmacology, Neurosciences, Neurodegenerative Disease. Program Associate Director Ana Font, MPH, PT Adjunct Professor E-mail: annie.font@upr.edu Office: 405 Tel: (787) 765-2144 Areas of expertise: Pediatrics, Rehabilitation of the patient with neurological condition; Motor control and motor learning

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Program Academic Clinical Coordinator Jessica Rodrguez Torres, PT, DPT Assistant Professor E-mail: Jessica.rodriguez23@upr.edu Office: 401 Telephone: (787) 765-2101 Areas of expertise: Pediatrics, Ergonomics Academic Core Faculty Ivette M. Bonet, PT, MA Assistant Professor E-mail: ivette.bonet@upr.edu Office: 406 Telephone: (787) 765-2112 Areas of expertise: Lower extremity biomechanics with specialization in foot and ankle; Gait analysis; Kinesiology. Flavia Bayrn, PT, MA Professor E-mail: flavia.bayron@upr.edu Office: 407 Telephone: (787) 765-2112 Areas of expertise: Orthopedic rehabilitation; Sports physical therapy; Industrial rehabilitation. Cynthia Cruz, PT, MCH-MPH Associate Professor E-mail: cynthia.cruz2@upr.edu Office: 404 Telephone: (787) 765-2145 Areas of expertise: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation; Wellness and health promotion; exercise for breast cancer. Marizabel La Puerta, PT, DPT, MS, MCH-MPH Professor E-mail: marizabel.la-puerta@upr.edu Office: 417 Telephone: (787) 765-2178 Areas of expertise: Anatomy; Neuroanatomy/neurophysiology; Nervous system disorders.

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Ana Leticia Mulero, PT, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: ana.mulero@upr.edu Office: 423 Telephone: 787-765-2148 Areas of expertise: Rehabilitation; Professional issues; Exercise for breast cancer; Research. Alexis Ortiz Rodrguez, PT, PhD, CSCS Assistant Professor E-mail: alexis.ortiz@upr.edu Office: 407 Telephone: (787) 765-2112 Areas of expertise: Sports physical therapy, Qualitative Research, Motion Analysis. Other Program Faculty Lyvia lvarez, MD, MRO E-mail: lyvia.alvarez@upr.edu Office: Accordance by the professor Telephone: (787) 300-3837 Carmen Bux, DrPH, MPH Statistitian E-mail: carmen.buxo@upr.edu Office: Acordance by the professor Telephone: 787-765-2144 Carmen Coln, PT, PhD E-mail: carmen.colon8@upr.edu Office: Accordance by the professor Telephone: (787) 758-2525 ext. 1719 Arnaldo Cruz Rivera, OTRL, PhD, MC Assistant Professor E-mail: arnaldo.cruz3@upr.edu Office: Accordance by the professor Telephone: 787-758-2525 ext. 4302 Zulma Olivieri, OTL, MS Associate Professor E-mail: zulma.olivieri@upr.edu Office: Accordance by the professor Telephone: 787-620-8451

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Farah Ramrez Marrero, PhD Professor E-mail: framirez@rrpac.upr.clu.edu Office: Accordance by the professor Telephone: 787-764-0000 ext. 3565 4528 Enid Rodrguez, MEd Professional Counselor E-mail: enid.rodriguez5@upr.edu Office: 416 Telephone : (787) 765-2178/ (787) 758 -2525 ext. 4000, 4008 The faculty receives mail at the Program at the following address: Physical Therapy Program Graduate Department School of Health Professions Medical Sciences Campus University of Puerto Rico PO Box 365067 San Juan, PR 00936-5067 The Program may be contacted at the following telephone numbers from Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00 pm through the Program Administrative Assistant: Gloriely Mena Quiones, BA E-mail: gloriely.mena@upr.edu Office: 403 Telephone: (787) 765-2144 Fax: (787) 753-7262 VII. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 1. Possess a baccalaureate degree or be in the last semester of study for obtaining the same. For the latter, at the time of applying to the Program, the student must have a minimum of 16 credits completed in the required science courses. 2. Have a C or more, in each of the following courses and have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.6 or more in these courses: 6 - 8 credits - Human Biology 8 credits - General Physics 8 credits - General Chemistry 3 credits - Statistics 3 credits General Psychology 3 credits - Human Development TOTAL 31 to 33 credits

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3. All sciences courses should include both lecture and laboratory instruction. 4. Present results of Aptitude Test for Admission to Graduate Programs (EXADEP) with the admissions application. 5. Overall grade point average of 2.8. 6. First Aid training provided by the American Heart Association or by the School of Health Professions and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification for the Health Care Provider, both to be maintained while enrolled. 7. Interview with Programs faculty. (Only those candidates ranked in the first 33 positions based upon the GPA and EXADEP). Note: Although it is not an admission requirement, it is highly desirable that the student be competent in the use of computers. VIII. ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES The Physical Therapy Master Program admits 16 students in each academic year. Candidates are admitted on a competitive basis. Therefore, the applicant must present evidence of successful completion of all admission requirements mentioned above. The following documents should be completed on a timely manner (specific dates should be consulted with the Admissions Office of the Medical Sciences Campus): 1. Admissions application. Program Admission applications can be accessed online through the Program website. An application must be requested at the Central Office of Admissions is located at the second floor of the building of the School of Pharmacy. This application must be completed, and sent together with a nonrefundable payment of $15.00 to the following address by January of the year requesting for admission. Payment should be made by certified check or money order payable to the University of Puerto Rico. Payment may also be made directly at the Collection Office with VISA, MasterCard or ATH. This application should be received at the Admissions Office by January 31st of the year requesting admission. Admissions Officer Central Office of Admissions Medical Sciences Campus, UPR G.P.O. Box 365067 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067 Telephone: (787) 758-2525 Extensions 5231, 5213, 5211, and 5215 2. Official results of the EXADEP exam. Students are required to take this aptitude test for admission to graduate programs. The results of this test will expire five years after its administration. If the applicant has repeated the test on more than one occasion in the past five years it is his/her option to inform the one with the highest scores. These results must be handed in with the admission form. For specific information regarding specific dates and locations for the completion of the exam can be obtained personally through the Educational Testing Service at the following address and telephone numbers:
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American International Plaza Munoz Rivera Avenue # 250 Third Floor, Suite 315 Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918 Telephone: 787-753-6363 http://www.ets.org/tests/ptest.html 3. Official Academic Transcripts. A complete official copy of the students academic transcript should be received directly to the Central Office of Admissions of the Medical Sciences Campus that evidences the attainment of minimum admissions requirements. Students must request this document from their previous academic institution. IX. ADMISSIONS FORMULA

The following formula will be used in the admission process: S = [IR (X) + IE (X) + PE (X) + EX (X)] x 100
4.00 4.00 M M

S: Percentage Total IR: Index of Required Courses IE: Index of Specific Courses PE: Interview Total EX: EXADEP Score M: Maximum Score X: Weight of the Variable Weight of Variables Used in the Formula for Admission
Post Bacc. Prog. Physical Therapy Percent Index of Required Courses 30 Percent Index of Specific Courses 35 Percent Interview Total 20 EXADEP Score 15

The Central Office of Admissions is responsible for collecting applications for admission, pre-screening completed applications and refers them to the School of Health Profession (SHP) Admissions Committee for consideration. Decisions related to admissions application will be sent by written communication from the SHP Deans Office to the student through the mail. Students who receive an unfavorable decision may request a Reconsideration Application at the Office of Students Affairs of the School of Health Professions. This office will evaluate the request, and present it to the Physical Therapy Program and to the SHP Admissions Committee. After the Program has revised the reconsideration application, it will present recommendations to the SHP Admissions Committee. The Committee will reach a decision and will submit it as a recommendation to the Dean of the SHP who will then notify the student of the final result of the reconsideration request.

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X.

FINANCIAL AIDS AVAILABLE

The Financial Aids Office is located at the Deanship of Student Affairs in the second floor of the building of the School of Pharmacy of the Medical Sciences Campus. The working hours of this office are 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Financial aid programs available for graduate students at the Medical Sciences Campus are as follows: 1-State Programs: Educational Opportunities Act The Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education administers these funds allocated by the Puerto Rico Legislature to be distributed among qualified graduate students.

2-Federal Programs: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program Federal Stafford Loans are low interest loans available to students attending school at least half time. Loans are granted by the US Department of Education. Students may qualify for a subsidized loan, which is based on financial need, or they may obtain an unsubsidized loan regardless of their financial need. Federal Stafford Plus Loans Federal Plus Loans enable parents to borrow for each dependent student who is enrolled at least half time. The yearly loan limit is the cost of education minus any financial aid awarded to the students. Interest is variable but will not exceed 9%. Federal Stafford Consolidation Loans These loans combine one or more Federal Education Loans into one direct loan. Only one monthly payment is made to the U.S. Department of Education.

3-Institutional Programs: School Work-Study Program: The School Work-Study Program provides jobs for graduate and undergraduate students with financial need. Students may work for a total of 20 hours per week and 37.5 hours per week during vacations. In order to determine the number of hours per week, the financial aid officer takes into consideration the students financial need, class schedules, and academic progress. Assistantship in Teaching and Research (Certification # 135, 1988-89 CES) These programs are available to graduate students with the following characteristics: high academic potential, outstanding performances in their area of study, be a full-time student, a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are not

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employed in full-time work. The programs are under the direction and administration of the Deanship of Academic Affairs. 4-Honor Registration This is a special tuition exemption granted by the Board of Trustees to students who have demonstrated academic excellence. The following rules govern honor registration: a. Regular students, except first year graduate students, if they are in the upper 5% of their class and their grade point average is 3.5 or higher. b. Students with full-time programs who have completed a minimum of two semesters or the trimester equivalent, who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and who are within the upper 5% of their class. c. Students who reenter the University after having interrupted their studies for one academic session or more, who have maintained their status as regular students at the institution, and who are within the upper 5% of their class. XI. ESTIMATED COSTS OF STUDIES

Tuition, fees and other charges applicable to the Program are described as approved by the Board of Trustees at the date of publication of the Medical Sciences Bulletin. Students with honor registration, University employees, and the children and spouses of permanent University employees do not pay tuition fees. The expenses related to tuition and fees can be found at following internet address http://www.rcm.upr.edu in the webpage at the Medical Sciences Campus. Nonresident students Nonresident students who are foreign citizens pay $3,500.00 per year as graduate students and nonresident students who are United States citizens pay fees equal to the amount they would pay in their home state universities. XII. ACCREDITATION The University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus is accredited by the Middle States Association and the Puerto Rico Council of Higher Education. The Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association. This Commission can be contacted at the following electronic address http//:www.apta.org or by telephone at 1-800-999-2782.

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XIII. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS IN PUERTO RICO In order to practice the profession of Physical Therapy in Puerto Rico the graduate of the Program must follow the dispositions of Law # 114 approved June 29, 1962 as emended which regulates the practice of this profession. This law requires that the graduate present evidence of graduating from a CAPTE accredited Program. The graduate must approve a licensing exam in order to practice the profession in Puerto Rico. In addition the practicing physical therapist must comply with 30 continuing education hours every three years to be maintained in the Health Professions Register of the Department of Health (Law # 11 approved June 23, 1976 as emended). Information regarding these issues can be obtained through the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners of Puerto Rico at the following address and telephone number: Call Box 10200 Santurce, Puerto Rico 00908 Telephone: (787) 722-8972 Fax: (787) 725-7903 XIV. PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS OF THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST According to the United States Department of Labor the job of the physical therapist can be physically demanding because it requires the therapist to be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and stand for long periods of time. Also, physical therapists move heavy equipment and lift patients or help them turn, stand, or walk.

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XVI. PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM STUDENT OUTCOMES TABLE

NUM. MATRICULATED EMPLOYMENT RATE ACADEMIC % MATRICULATED

NUM. GRADUATED

NUM. ADMISSIONS RECEIVED

YEAR ADMITTED

2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011

29 36 40 40 44 41 47 38 65

16 16 16 16 20 16 16 16 17

16 16 16 16 20 16 16 16 17

55 44 43 43 45 43 34 42 26

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

12 13 11 13 17 14 pending pending pending

75% 81% 81% 81% 85% 87.5% pending pending pending

RETENTION RATE

NUM. ACCEPTED

% ACCEPTED

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% pending pending pending pending

References:
University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus Bulletin 2000-2002. Proposal for the Curricular Revision of the Physical Therapy Program, Master of Science in Physical Therapy, approved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Puerto Rico January 2002. Manual of Administrative Procedures of the Admissions Committee of the School of Health Profession of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico approved January 2001. United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook; found on June 14, 2010 at www.bls.gov .

The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus does not discriminate by reason of sex, marital status, age, national origin, race, creed or handicap.

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