Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico • Founded 1970
Overview
Established in 1970, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Ponce (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).
This institution also has a branch campus in Arecibo and Mayaguez. Officially recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (PUCPR) is a medium-sized coeducational Puerto Rican higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (PUCPR) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 54-year-old Puerto Rican higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this Puerto Rican higher education organization a least selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. PUCPR also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
For visits or applications to Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, location and primary contact details are below. Open days are typically announced via social channels — follow them to receive event notifications.
Academic Details
The numbers behind Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Programs Offered
Look through Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
Bachelor's Degree
70 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's 70 programmes at this tier lead to a bachelor's qualification, the first full degree most students pursue and the usual prerequisite for master's-level entry.
Fine Arts Bellas Artes Visual Arts 4 years
Political Science Ciencias Políticas Politics & International Relations 4 years
Political Science and Law Ciencias Políticas y Derecho Law 4 years
Hispanic Studies Estudios Hispánicos 4 years
Pre-Law Studies Estudios Pre-Jurídicos Law 4 years
Philosophy Filosofía Philosophy & Ethics 4 years
French Francés Linguistics & Language Studies 4 years
History Historia History 4 years
English Inglés English Language Studies 4 years
Music Música Music 4 years
Sociology Sociología Social & Cultural Studies 4 years
Theater and Performing Arts Teatro y Artes Escénicas Performing Arts 4 years
Liberal Studies Estudios Liberales Liberal Arts 4 years
Accounting Contabilidad Accounting 4 years
Public Accounting Contabilidad Pública Accounting 4 years
International Commerce Comercio Internacional Business & Management 4 years
Business Law Derecho Empresarial Business Law 4 years
Entrepreneurship Empresarismo Entrepreneurship 4 years
Tourism Entrepreneurship Empresarismo Turístico Tourism & Leisure 4 years
Finance Finanzas Finance, Banking & Insurance 4 years
Management Gerencia Business & Management 4 years
Distance Management Gerencia a Distancia Business & Management 4 years
Marketing Mercadeo Marketing 4 years
Digital Marketing Mercadeo Digital Marketing 4 years
Advertising Publicidad Advertising & Digital Marketing 4 years
Radio and TV Production Producción para Radio y TV 4 years
Human Resources Recursos Humanos Human Resource Management 4 years
Distance Human Resources Recursos Humanos a Distancia Human Resource Management 4 years
International Public Relations Relaciones Públicas Internacionales Public Relations 4 years
Information Systems Sistemas de Información Information Systems & Technology 4 years
Culinary Arts Artes Culinarias Liberal Arts 4 years
Hotel and Restaurant Management Administración de Hoteles y Restaurantes Tourism & Leisure 4 years
Biology Biología Biological Sciences 4 years
Biotechnology Biotecnología Biotechnology 4 years
Environmental Sciences Ciencias Ambientales Environmental Sciences 4 years
Biomedical Sciences Ciencias Biomédicas Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences 4 years
Nursing Enfermería Nursing 4 years
Chemistry Química Chemistry 4 years
Medical Technology Tecnología Médica 4 years
Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Tecnología Cardiovascular No Invasiva 4 years
Applied Data Science Ciencia de Datos Aplicada Data Science & Analytics 4 years
Architecture Arquitectura Architecture 5 years
Public Administration and Labor Relations Administración Pública y Relaciones Laborales Public Administration 4 years
Criminology Criminología Criminal Law & Justice 4 years
Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Manejo de Emergencias y Administración de Desastres Emergency & Disaster Management 4 years
Social Work Trabajo Social Social Work 4 years
Psychology Psicología Psychology 4 years
Forensic Psychology Psicología Forense Psychology 4 years
Criminal Investigation Investigación Criminal Criminal Law & Justice 4 years
Universal Fashion Design Diseño de Modas Universal Applied Design 4 years
Sports Sciences – Physical Conditioning Ciencias Deportivas en Acondicionamiento Físico Physics & Astronomy 4 years
Speech Therapy Terapia del Habla Speech & Language Therapy 4 years
Elementary Education – Visual Arts Educación Elemental con concentración en Artes Visuales Visual Arts 4 years
Elementary Education – Special Education K-12 Educación Elemental con concentración en Educación Especial K-12 Special Education 4 years
Elementary Education – Physical Education Educación Elemental con concentración en Educación Física Physics & Astronomy 4 years
Elementary Education – General Education Educación Elemental con concentración en Educación General Education & Teaching 4 years
Elementary Education – Primary Education Educación Elemental con concentración en Educación Primaria Education & Teaching 4 years
Elementary Education – English Educación Elemental con concentración en Inglés English Language Studies 4 years
Elementary Education – Music Educación Elemental con concentración en Música Music 4 years
Secondary Education – Family and Consumer Sciences Educación Secundaria con concentración en Ciencias de la Familia y Consumidor Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Visual Arts Educación Secundaria con concentración en Artes Visuales Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Biology Educación Secundaria con concentración en Biología Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – General Sciences Educación Secundaria con concentración en Ciencias General Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Physical Education Educación Secundaria con concentración en Educación Física Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Spanish Educación Secundaria con concentración en Español Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – History Educación Secundaria con concentración en Historia Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – English Educación Secundaria con concentración en Inglés English Language Studies 4 years
Secondary Education – Mathematics Educación Secundaria con concentración en Matemática Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Music Educación Secundaria con concentración en Música Education & Teaching 4 years
Secondary Education – Chemistry Educación Secundaria con concentración en Química Education & Teaching 4 years
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
35 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico lists 35 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Master of Business Administration – Finance Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Finanzas Finance, Banking & Insurance 2 years
Master of Business Administration – Management Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Gerencia Business Administration 2 years
Master of Business Administration – Marketing Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Mercadeo Marketing 2 years
Master of Business Administration – Human Resources Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Recursos Humanos Human Resource Management 2 years
Master of Science – Integrated Communications Maestría en Ciencias – Comunicaciones Integradas Communication Studies 2 years
Master of Science – Digital Information Technology Maestría en Ciencias – Tecnología de la Información Digital Information Systems & Technology 2 years
Master of Business Administration – Contributive Law Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Derecho Contributivo Law 2 years
Master of Arts – Hispanic Studies Maestría en Artes – Estudios Hispánicos Liberal Arts 2 years
Master of Arts – Painting and Drawing Maestría en Artes – Pintura y Dibujo Visual Arts 2 years
Master of Arts – Divinity Maestría en Artes – Divinidad Religious Studies 2 years
Master of Arts – Cultural, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Maestría en Artes – Estudios Culturales, Latinoamericanos y Caribeños Liberal Arts 2 years
Master of Science – Chemistry Maestría en Ciencias – Química Chemistry 2 years
Master of Science – Environmental Sciences Maestría en Ciencias – Ciencias Ambientales Environmental Sciences 2 years
Master of Science – Biotechnology Maestría en Ciencias – Biotecnología Biotechnology 2 years
Master of Science – Biosciences Maestría en Ciencias – Biociencias Biological Sciences 2 years
Master of Science – Integrated and Applied Neurosciences Maestría en Ciencias – Neurociencias Integradas y Aplicadas Neuroscience 2 years
Master of Science – Nursing Maestría en Ciencias – Enfermería Nursing 2 years
Master of Science – Speech-Language Pathology Maestría en Ciencias – Patología del Habla-Lenguaje Biological Sciences 2 years
Master of Education – Curriculum and Teaching Maestría en Educación – Currículo y Enseñanza Education & Teaching 2 years
Master of Education – Curriculum and Educational Therapy Maestría en Educación – Currículo y Terapia Educativa Health Sciences 2 years
Master of Education – Professional Counseling Maestría en Educación – Consejería Profesional Counselling & Psychotherapy 2 years
Master of Education – Commercial Education and Office Systems Maestría en Educación – Educación Comercial y Sistemas de Oficina Education & Teaching 2 years
Master of Education – Educational Leadership and Management Maestría en Educación – Gerencia y Liderazgo Educativo Business & Management 2 years
Master of Education – School Psychology Maestría en Educación – Psicología Escolar Psychology 2 years
Master of Education – Elementary Education Maestría en Educación – Educación Primaria Education & Teaching 2 years
Master of Education – Library Services and Information Technology Maestría en Educación – Servicios Bibliotecarios y Tecnología de Información Information Systems & Technology 2 years
Master of Science – Social Sciences – Public Administration Maestría en Ciencias – Ciencias Sociales – Administración Pública Public Administration 2 years
Master of Science – Social Sciences – Criminology Maestría en Ciencias – Ciencias Sociales – Criminología Criminal Law & Justice 2 years
Master of Science – Social Sciences – Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Maestría en Ciencias – Ciencias Sociales – Consejería en Rehabilitación Clínica Physiotherapy 2 years
Master of Science – Psychology – Clinical Psychology Maestría en Ciencias – Psicología – Psicología Clínica Clinical Psychology 2 years
Master of Science – Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology Maestría en Ciencias – Psicología – Psicología Industrial/Organizacional Psychology 2 years
Master of Science – Social Work – Clinical Area Maestría en Ciencias – Trabajo Social – Área Clínica Social Work 2 years
Master of Business Administration – General Business Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Comercio General Business Administration 2 years
Master of Business Administration – International Commerce Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Comercio Internacional Business Administration 2 years
Master of Business Administration – Accounting Maestría en Administración de Empresas – Contabilidad Accounting 2 years
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
9 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's 9 programmes at this tier lead to a doctorate, the credential expected for academic, senior research, and many specialist professional roles.
Doctor of Philosophy – Industrial/Organizational Psychology Doctorado en Filosofía con especialidad en Psicología Industrial/Organizacional Psychology 3 years
Doctor of Philosophy – Clinical Psychology Doctorado en Filosofía con especialidad en Psicología Clínica Clinical Psychology 3 years
Doctor of Philosophy – Psychology – Clinical Psychology Doctorado en Psicología con especialidad en Psicología Clínica Clinical Psychology 3 years
Doctor of Education – Curriculum & Teaching Doctorado en Educación – Currículo y Enseñanza Education & Teaching 3 years
Doctor of Education – Educational Management Doctorado en Educación – Gerencia Educativa Business & Management 3 years
Doctor of Education – Professional Counseling Doctorado en Educación – Consejería Profesional Counselling & Psychotherapy 3 years
Doctor of Philosophy – Human Disabilities Doctorado en Filosofía con especialidad en Discapacidades Humanas Philosophy & Ethics 3 years
Doctor of Business Administration Doctorado en Administración de Empresas Business Administration 3 years
Juris Doctor Doctorado en Derecho 3 years
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
19 programmes
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico also offers 19 programmes across associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation routes — shorter or vocational qualifications that build practical skills or bridge into a full degree.
Digital Graphic Design Diseño Gráfico Digital Applied Design 2 years
Interior Design Diseño de Interiores Applied Design 2 years
Optics Ciencias en Óptica 2 years
Pharmacy Technician Técnico en Farmacia Pharmacy 2 years
Ophthalmic Technician Técnico Oftálmico Optometry 2 years
Applied Sciences in Fashion Design Ciencias Aplicadas en Diseño de Modas Applied Design 2 years
Sports Sciences with Sports Therapy Concentration Ciencias Deportivas con concentración en Terapéutica Deportiva Health Sciences 2 years
Culinary Arts Artes Culinarias Liberal Arts 2 years
Hotel and Restaurant Administration Administración de Hoteles y Restaurantes Tourism & Leisure 2 years
Supervision and Personnel Management Techniques Técnicas de Supervisión y Manejo de Personal Business & Management 2 years
Applied Sciences in Business Administration Ciencias Aplicadas en Administración de Empresas Business Administration 2 years
Applied Sciences in Secretarial Sciences Ciencias Aplicadas en Ciencias Secretariales Business & Management 2 years
Tourism Techniques Técnicas de Turismo Tourism & Leisure 2 years
Certificate in Accounting Certificado en Contabilidad Accounting 1 year
Certificate in Human Resources Certificado en Recursos Humanos Human Resource Management 1 year
Certificate in Management Certificado en Gerencia Business & Management 1 year
Certificate in Maritime Transportation and Logistics Certificado en Transportación y Logística Marítima Supply Chain & Logistics 1 year
Certificate in Medical Technology Certificado en Tecnología Médica 1 year
Professional Certificate in Presbyterian Studies Certificado Profesional en Estudios Presbiterales 1 year
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's catalogue includes 133 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's admissions process.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
- 4 Submit your application
Submit your completed application through Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's official website at www.pucpr.edu. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (787) 841 2000. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico
Common questions students ask about Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
How old is Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico?
The institution opened in 1970 (approximately 56 years ago).
Where can I find Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico?
The institution is located in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Is Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico a public or private institution?
It is a private higher-education institution.
How many students does Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico have?
The institution has a student body of 6,000-6,999.
Does Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico have a religious affiliation?
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico operates within the Christian-Catholic tradition.
Is Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico officially recognised?
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How do I find Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico online?
The institution's website is www.pucpr.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in Puerto Rico
Below: Puerto Rico's top-ranked universities, providing benchmarks for Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico's academic standing. National rankings reflect a mix of research output, teaching quality, and graduate outcomes.
Other Puerto Rican Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Christian-Catholic-affiliated institutions in Puerto Rico provide a similar campus culture to Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico. Campus culture among affiliated universities often shares core values while differing in academic emphasis.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
If Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico is on your shortlist for studying Education & Teaching, these peer institutions in Puerto Rico offer comparable academic depth, industry links, and graduate outcomes. Cross-applying to multiple is common practice in this discipline.
Universities Often Compared with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
