Admissions Policies
Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) upholds a set of comprehensive admissions policies designed to maintain academic excellence, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and support students' educational journeys. Below are key policies related to immunizations, readmissions, and the transfer of credits. Detailed program-specific guidelines can be found in the PHSU Catalog.
Immunization Policy
PHSU adheres to CDC guidelines for adult and healthcare worker immunizations and the Puerto Rico Immunization Law. Immunization requirements vary by program and student category.
General Requirements
- Students 21 years and older are exempt from presenting the PVAC-3 form but must provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunization.
- Medical and Nursing Students must present the PVAC-3 form, titers, or equivalent immunization evidence regardless of age.
- International and Mainland Students must provide immunization records from their country of origin to the Puerto Rico Department of Health to obtain the PVAC-3 form.
- All new students must submit a Health Certificate authorized by the Puerto Rico Department of Health as part of the admissions process.
- Students actively enrolled in Medical and Nursing programs must present an annual Health Certificate during fall enrollment.
Program-Specific Vaccination Guidelines
- A complete series of Hepatitis B vaccines (3 doses) or a 2-dose series of Heplisav-B is required.
- Anti-HBs serologic testing must be completed 1-2 months after the final dose.
Annual influenza vaccination is mandatory for Medical, Nursing, and Psychology students before entering clinical sites.
(Medical students entering their third or fourth year must have received the influenza vaccine prior to clinical clerkships.)
Two doses are required unless immunity is documented through serologic testing.
The Meningococcal vaccine is required for students routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis, especially microbiologists.
Exemptions from Immunization
Under Puerto Rico Department of Health regulations, students may be granted exemptions from immunization requirements for religious or health-related reasons, including pregnancy or catastrophic diseases. To qualify for an exemption, students must submit a completed Immunization Exemption Form, certified by a physician or attorney, as part of the required documentation.
However, no exemptions are permitted for students enrolled in the medical and nursing programs. Students in these programs are required to fully comply with the CDC guidelines for health professionals without exception.
Non-Compliance and Sanctions
Failure to meet immunization requirements can result in severe consequences, including:
1. Admission Revocation
Students applying for admission who fail to comply with the immunization policy may have their acceptance revoked.
2. Clinical Activity Restrictions
Students not in compliance may be barred from clinical activities at the discretion of the program Dean.
3. Options for Missing Documentation
- Present titers of antibodies for required vaccines.
- Submit notarized documentation for exemptions (e.g., religion, pregnancy, health reasons).
Healthcare Program Non-Compliance
- Students who refuse immunization cannot continue in healthcare programs.
- PHSU is not responsible for denial of access to clinical centers, internships, or activities regulated by third parties requiring immunization compliance.
Students failing to comply with these requirements will face sanctions as outlined in this policy and the Student Handbook.
Readmisisons Policy
PHSU has established a clear policy for students seeking readmission after withdrawing or being dismissed. This policy ensures that all candidates for readmission or re-entry meet current academic and institutional standards.
Eligibility for Readmission
Dismissal for Academic or Disciplinary Reasons
- Students dismissed from a program for academic reasons will not be readmitted to the same program.
- Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons are ineligible for readmission to any program.
Definition of Readmission and Re-entry
Readmission
Candidates who previously attended PHSU, withdrew, and are requesting admission to the same or a different program after one year of inactivity.
Re-entry
Students who withdrew and are returning to the same program after being inactive for less than a year.
Consideration for Readmission
PHSU will consider for readmission students who:
- Voluntarily withdrew for medical or personal reasons while in good standing or maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress at the time of withdrawal
- Were administratively withdrawn (evaluated on a case-by-case basis) as long as the administrative withdrawal was not due to dismissal
Readmission Application Process
Readmission applicants must submit their application to the Admissions Office and ensure they meet all current requirements at the time of application. For students inactive for less than a year, re-entry applications must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office, along with documentation demonstrating that all current requirements have been fulfilled.
Readmission Evaluation and Decision Process
Applications for readmission and re-entry are reviewed by the Readmissions Ad Hoc Committee, which comprises the Academic Department Dean or their delegate, the Vice President of Student Affairs or their delegate, and representatives from Student Services. The committee carefully evaluates each application and makes recommendations to the Admissions Committee based on the applicant's circumstances and academic standing.
For readmission applicants, the committee may recommend either a denial of readmission or admission with specific conditions. These conditions may include re-entering the first-year class, repeating incomplete courses, receiving full credit for previously completed coursework, transferring credits to a different program, or other considerations as determined by the committee.
For re-entry applicants, the committee may recommend either denial of re-entry or authorization to re-enter with conditions. These conditions may include completing incomplete courses, receiving full credit for previously completed coursework, or other considerations tailored to the applicant's academic needs.
Transfer of Credits Policy
- Students may transfer a maximum of 30% of the total credits required to complete the program's graduation requirements, except for the Medical Education Program, which has separate guidelines.
- Only graduate courses from institutions accredited by the Puerto Rico Board of Postsecondary Institutions (JIP) or a recognized regional accrediting agency such as MSCHE are eligible for transfer.
- Transfer credit requests must be submitted no later than the second week of classes in the student's first semester, trimester, or quarter at PHSU.
Transfer Credit Application Process
Submit a Written Request
Complete a formal request for transfer of credits through the Admissions Office or the Office of Student Affairs.
Provide Official Documents
Submit an original transcript from the institution where the courses were taken.
Provide an official catalog or course description from the institution to facilitate
the evaluation process.
Transcripts must be sent directly from the originating institution to the Registrar’s
Office at PHSU.
Veteran Students
Students applying under veteran educational benefits must follow the same transfer of credit policy and procedures.
Evaluation of Transfer Credits
An ad hoc Transfer of Credits Committee is responsible for evaluating all transfer requests at PHSU. This committee includes representatives from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, a faculty member, and the program director of the student’s enrolled program. The committee carefully reviews each transfer request in accordance with institutional and program-specific policies, making final decisions on the acceptance of credits.
Program-Specific Guidelines
Each academic program may have additional or specific requirements for transferring credits. Students are encouraged to consult the PHSU Catalog for program-specific transfer credit policies and details.