International Students

Whether you’re joining us in Puerto Rico, St. Louis, or the British Virgin Islands, we are here to support your academic journey and ensure a smooth transition into your new environment as an international student. At Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), we take pride in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community.

Why Choose PHSU as an International Student?

Admissions for International Students

Who Qualifies as an International Student?

PHSU defines an international student as an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the country where they study and has a temporary visa for educational purposes. For example:

• Applicants to the St. Louis Campus who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Applicants to the Puerto Rico locations who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Applicants to the Tortola, BVI campus who are not citizens of the British Virgin Islands

Admissions Requirements

• Meet the specific academic and programmatic requirements outlined for your chosen degree program.
• Submit proof of English language proficiency if your primary language is not English (TOEFL or IELTS scores).
• Provide certified transcripts and credential evaluations if your previous education was completed outside the U.S.

In addition to meeting admissions requirements in the program of choice, international candidates must meet the following language requirements:

English Language Requirements

Applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS examination scores unless they have earned or will be earning a bachelor, master, or doctoral degree from either:

• A regionally accredited U.S. College or university where English is the sole language of instruction or
• A foreign college or university which provides instruction solely in English.

Acceptable Language test to be presented:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): prospective students must obtain a minimum total/overall score of 7 or higher.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT): prospective students must obtain a minimum score of at least 90-100 and minimum scores of 20 in each section.

Test results must be sent directly to the PHSU campus of application.

 

Transcript Evaluation

Applicants who completed coursework outside the U.S. must submit their transcript(s) for evaluation to the service listed below. They will in turn evaluate the individual courses and indicate whether each is considered undergraduate, graduate, or professional. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated course-by-course and must specify which courses are considered undergraduate, graduate, and professional. All evaluations must be provided directly from the evaluation/translation service and sent directly to Ponce Health Sciences University- Admissions Office from the evaluation service. A complete list of NACES members can be found at the following link: https://www.naces.org/members

World Education Services (WES) 
P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station 
New York, NY 10274-5087 
(212) 966-6311 

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) 
101 W. Pleasant St. Suite 200 
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963 
(414) 289-3400 

Student Visas and Immigration Support

Navigating the visa and immigration process can be challenging, but we are here to help every step of the way. We provide comprehensive guidance to ensure international students meet the necessary requirements for studying in their chosen location.

International students must hold an F-1 Student Visa, or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to study in the United States.

Campus-Specific Requirements

Puerto Rico & St. Louis, Missouri

If an international applicant is currently enrolled in a foreign medical college or other health professions programs, no part of that medical or health professions curriculum can be used to fulfill any part of the PHSU’s academic requirements for granting a PHSU Degree.

Foreign medical graduates are not eligible to apply for advanced standing in the program.

Approved Programs for International Students

Due to external regulatory requirements, application from international applicants will be considered for the following campuses.

Ponce, Puerto Rico

• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Public Health with specialty in Epidemiology
• Master in Public Health (all tracks)
• Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology
• Doctor in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• Master in Sciences in School Psychology
• Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
• Bachelor in Science in Nursing

San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• Doctor in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• Doctor of Medicine

St. Louis, Missouri

• Doctor of Medicine
• Master of Science in Medical Sciences
• Doctor in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

After You Apply

Prior to an acceptance of an offer of admission, international applicants are required to schedule a meeting with the Principal Designated Student Officer (PDSO) or Designated Student Officer (DSO) within five business days of notification of an offer of admission. The PDSO or DSO must certify the student is eligible either for Initial Status Acceptance or for a Transfer into the PHSU Program through the SEVIS platform.

PDSO
Elisandra Rodríguez- Moreno 
Vice President of Student Affairs 
Elirodriguez@psm.edu  
Tel: 787-840-2575 Ext. 5723

DSOs Ponce Campus
María Colón 
Admissions Officer
Mcolon@psm.edu  

Ivette Oliveras 
Registrar 
Ivoliveras@psm.edu  

DSO San Juan University Center 
Mariela González 
Campus Director 
Margonzalez@psm.edu  

DSO St. Louis Campus
Terry Brewer
Student Affairs Director 
TBrewer@psm.edu

Students with Sevis File

Students who currently possess a SEVIS File on a US Institution must provide the following information.  

• Designated Student Officer Information (must include email, and phone number)
• SEVIS ID 

International Student Transfers

International Students Transferring from other US Schools must present all the information required above and their current SEVP ID in order to complete the transfer. 

International students interested in becoming PHSU students must interview with the school’s DSO and provide the following information: 

• Passport 
• International Address Evidence 
• Address in the US 
• Proof of Funding to cover the Program’s cost 

The DSO will complete the application for I-20 on the SEVIS platform and expedite the document that will allow the student to process the Student VISA on the consulate. 

This resource contains a brief general overview of government regulations and other applicable information relating to visas, residency guidelines and International licensure requirements. This document does not serve as individualized career or legal advice, as immigration requirements, Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME), allied hospitals systems, licensing, and certifying agencies change periodically. Consequently, it is the responsibility of each individual student to contact the appropriate agencies and systems in order to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the immigration or other pertinent requirements related to his or her specific circumstances. 

Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI)–International Location

BVI Visa Process

Prior to acceptance of an offer of admission, international applicants are required to schedule a meeting with the Student Success Officer (SSO). The SSO must certify the student is eligible either for Initial Status Acceptance or for a Transfer into the PHSU-BVI.

Elisandra Rodríguez-Moreno, Vice President of Student Affairs

Elirodriguez@psm.edu

787-840-2575 Ext. 5723

Karen Ocasio, Student Success Officer

klocasio@psm.edu

939-579-8529

Requirements for a BVI Student Visa Application

International students planning to study in Tortola must apply for a BVI student visa. This process is managed through the local BVI Immigration Department. Letter of acceptance from PHSU.

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiration
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of financial support to cover tuition and living expenses
• Health insurance documentation
• Background check or police clearance certificate from your home country
• Visa fee of US$175.00.

Steps for Application

• Download and fill out the Application: The latest form is available on the BVI Government website.
• Submit Application: Submit the visa application and required documents to bvivisas@gov.vg
• Pay Related Fees: Follow the instructions emailed to you after submitting the application to complete the visa payment.
• Interview: You may be required to attend an interview at the consulate or embassy.
• Processing Time: Visa processing can take several weeks; apply at least 90 days prior to the needed entry date.

Upon Arrival

• Immigration Check: Present your student visa and supporting documents to the immigration officer.
• Enrollment Verification: Ensure you have documents from PHSU to verify your enrollment status.

For detailed information, always check with the official BVI immigration website or contact the nearest BVI consulate.

US and UK citizens are not required to obtain BVI Visas to enter the Territory, but will be subject to immigration requirements.

After Years 1 & 2 U.S. Visa Requirements

During the third and fourth years, students have the opportunity to apply for clinical clerkships at teaching hospitals in the U.S. International students who attend PHSU-SOM-BVI must apply and qualify for an F-1 visa prior to being offered an internship in the U.S. Students must apply for an F-1 visa in advance at a U.S. consulate. Routine appointments in Tortola will be held at Maria’s by the Sea Hotel Conference Room, Road Town VG1110. The F-1 visa only applies to years 3 and 4. Students who are matched with residency opportunities in the U.S. will require a separate visa (usually a J-1 visa).

Important Documents to Bring:

• Completed passport application (Find forms at http://travel.state.gov.)
• Two passport-size photos (2” x 2”)
• Original proof of U.S. citizenship and a social security card
• A prepaid air waybill for the return of your new passport
• Printed proof of payment or a money order/bank draft
• Originals and photocopies of all documents, including the current passport

Important: Applicants may not wear eyeglasses in passport photos. See travel.state.gov for photo requirements.