Admissions
Admission to a Masters or Doctoral Program. Admission to any graduate degree program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (or appointed delegate) upon the recommendation of the GSBS Admissions Committee and the program/concentration faculty. The applicant must be in good standing with the school last attended. Only students who have submitted completed applications will be considered for admission. The programs and concentrations conduct a preliminary application review to determine which applications will be forwarded to the GSBS Admissions Committee. The Ph.D. Selection Committee reviews all completed Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. applications, conducts interviews with selected applicants, then determines which applications to move forward to the GSBS Admissions Committee. A similar review process occurs for Biotechnology, Graduate Medical Education Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
A completed application consists of the following:
- Application to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences:
Applications for the basic sciences programs are received online at: www.bioraider.com. Falsification of applications information will void admission to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. All sections of the online application must be completed, and it must be submitted prior to the application closing date. Application deadlines and application instructions are available on the Admissions page of the GSBS website.
Applications are accepted using the online application system and must be completed by the stated deadline In addition, all required supplemental documents must also be received by the application deadline. Review will be completed by the program/concentration and by the GSBS Admissions Committee, and offers will be made in accordance with the committee’s recommendation and by approval of the GSBS Dean (or appointed delegate). Matriculation will generally occur in the Fall semester, except Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. which has Fall, Spring and Summer admission cycles.
Exceptions to these guidelines will be taken on a case by case basis; with support from a faculty mentor, and upon the GSBS Admission Committee’s review and recommendation followed by approval of the GSBS Dean.
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report no more than five years old. This is a requirement for all international applicants for all degree programs regardless of educational background. The GRE is optional for domestic applicants to the following degree programs: Biomedical Sciences Ph.D., and Biotechnology M.S. The GRE is required for both domestic and international applicants to the following degree programs: Graduate Medical Education Sciences M.S., Pharmaceutical Sciences M.S., and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. Subject tests are not required, although the Graduate Medical Education Sciences M.S. program highly recommends applicants submitting a GRE score also submit the GRE Biology or Chemistry subject test scores. In accordance with Texas Education Code §51.842, the applicant’s performance on a standardized test is not to be used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process as the sole criterion to end consideration of the applicant. Information about the GRE may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541-6000 or www.gre.org. All test scores must be sent directly from the Education Testing Service to the TTUHSC Office of the Registrar. Photocopies or scanned copies of GRE scores will not be accepted. The institution code for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is 6851. MCAT in lieu of GRE is occasionally granted to applicants applying to the Biotechnology and Graduate Medical Education Sciences. MCAT in lieu of GRE requires Senior Associate Dean approval. Email graduate.school@ttuhsc.edu for specific instructions.
- Proof of English Proficiency: International applications who do not qualify for exceptions (see below) must submit one of the following as proof of English proficiency:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - The minimum TOEFL score required is 550 (paper-based version) or 79 (internet-based version). The TOEFL score must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS); TTUHSC’s institutional code is 6851. TOEFL scores are valid for only two years. Due to the limited time frame regarding accessing test scores, if TTUHSC has received a test score that is over two years old, we will accept it as official.
IELTS International English Language Testing Service - The minimum IELTS required score is an overall band score of 6.5 on the Academic version; IELTS General Training results are not acceptable. There is no IELTS institution code for TTUHSC. IELTS scores are valid for only two years. Due to the limited time frame regarding accessing test scores, if TTUHSC has received a test score that is over two years old, we will accept it as official.
Duolingo English Test (Online examination) The minimum requirement Duolingo score is 100. There is no institutional code for Duolingo and scores are reported within 48 hours and are valid for two years. Due to the limited time frame regarding accessing test scores, if TTUHSC has received a test score that is over two years old, we will accept it as official.
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic; PTE Academic) The minimum required PTE Academic score is 60. PTE General and PTE Young Learners results are not acceptable. There no PTE Academic institution code for TTUHSC. PTE Academic scores are valid for only two years. Due to the limited time frame regarding accessing test scores, if TTUHSC has received a test score that is over two years old, we will accept it as official.
Cambridge CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficient in English; CPE) The minimum required Cambridge CPE grade is C. There is no institutional code for the Cambridge CPE. The Cambridge CPE is valid for life.
Cambridge CAE (Cambridge Certification of Advanced English; CAE) The minimum required Cambridge CAE grade is B. There is no institutional code for the Cambridge CAE. The Cambridge CAE is valid for life.
English Proficiency Testing Waivers and Country Specific Exemptions:
- Applicant attended four (4) consecutive long semesters of credit-bearing/non-development/non-ESL courses at an accredited post-secondary school in the U.S.
-Attended two (2) consecutive years of high school in the United States.
-Attended two (2) consecutive years of high school with U.S. accreditation or within an English proficiency exempt country
-Applicants from the below English Proficiency exempt countries (must provide proof with passport):
| American Samoa | Anguilla |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Australia |
| Bahamas | Barbados |
| Belize | Bermuda |
| Canada (except the Province of Quebec) | Cayman Islands |
| Dominica | Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) |
| Ghana | Gibraltar |
| Grenada | Guam |
| Guyana | Ireland, Republic of |
| Jamaica | Liberia |
| Micronesia Islands, Federated States of | Monsterrat |
| New Zealand | Nigeria |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia |
| Saint Helena | South Africa |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | United Kingdom: (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) |
| United States | Virgin Islands |
| Zimbabwe |
|
Official Transcripts:
Academic Credentials: All prospective students applying to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences are expected to adhere to the highest level of academic integrity. This includes entering all post-secondary institutions attended or currently attending on the application for admission, including institutions for which transfer credit was received toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Applicants must also submit official U.S. transcripts or course-by-course transcript evaluations for international institutions for all institutions attended and/or currently attending.
Failure to provide this information on the application or not providing all U.S. transcripts or course-by-course transcript evaluations with all academic credentials is considered a falsification of academic records and will result in the admission application being voided.
a. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution and typically requires at least 120 U.S. equivalent credit hours. Applicants must submit an official transcript from each U.S. college or university attended. All degrees earned must appear on official transcripts.
b. International applicants must provide a course-by-course transcript evaluation of all coursework taken at degree-granting institutions recognized by their government/governmental ministry. An international applicant who, because of current enrollment, cannot provide a final course-by-course transcript evaluation at the time of application must submit transcript evaluations of all completed study. Consideration may then be given for admission upon the condition that a final course-by-course transcript evaluation is provided prior to enrollment. If the transcript evaluation states that an applicant has less than 120 U.S. equivalent credit hours and lacks a U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalent, then the applicant has the option to seek an alternative evaluation from another GSBS approved evaluation company and the GSBS will accept the evaluation that supports admission.
c. Applicants must submit at least six semesters of coursework to be eligible for admission consideration. The applicant must be in good standing with all schools attended. An international applicant must provide official transcripts from attendance at any U.S. university. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center requires course-by-course transcript evaluations and diploma information from the list of services provided on the online application. Do not send international transcripts and marksheets to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
- Reference letters: Applicants must submit names and email addresses of at least two recommenders using the online application system, and no more than four within the application. Recommenders are sent a link to the form and upload their recommendation letter.
- Immunization record: All applicants are required to provide proof of: two immunizations for varicella (chicken pox) or a titer proving immunity, two immunizations of measles, mumps, and rubella or a titer proving immunity; 2-step tuberculosis skin test; 3 doses of the hepatitis B-series or a titer proving immunity; Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) within the last ten years; Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis): Adult (one time dose starting year 2005); Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV): Adults 22 and younger (vaccine within the last 5 years). A current Flu vaccine (applicable through October thru March). Refer to the immunization form on admission application website for more information. Applicants must submit the immunization form with a copy of the immunizations record or physician’s letter at least 10 business days prior to the start of the semester. Provisions for immunization requirements and implementation procedures for all TTUHSC employees, volunteers, and students are covered under HSC OP 75.11.
- Bank Statement and Sponsor Financial Affidavit/Statement: International F1 applicants are required to submit a bank statement from an account(s) belonging to the applicant and/or applicant sponsor showing a minimum of $39,220 USD or equivalent available balance, which is the estimated amount for one year of tuition/fees and living expenses. Spouse is an additional $6,649 and each child is an additional
$4,422. If the applicant has a sponsor, we also require a financial statement letter from the sponsor stating their intent to financial support the applicant. Documents may be uploaded to the supplemental item associated with the application or emailed to graduate.school@ttuhsc.edu.
- Oath of Residency: All applicants must complete an Oath of Residency form provided through the online application
- Essay: All applicants must submit a written essay through the online application.
- Application Fee: A one-time nonrefundable application fee for graduate study (currently $45 for both domestic and international applicants). Application fee waivers are available for:
- Applicants who spoke to a GSBS representative and provided contact information at any of these events (ABRCMS, SACNAS, HACU, NCUR)
- McNair Scholars (requires documentation from institution)
- Attendees at the annual GSBS Open House
- Attendees who spoke to a GSBS
representative at a grad fair and contact information for the applicant was obtained at the event
- Participants in our summer internship programs ABRI or SABR
- Current GSBS students
- U.S. active duty military, U.S. military veterans
- Applicants offered and who accepted admission but deferred admission to a later term and with approval by the program/concentration admissions committee (application fee waiver is only valid once for deferrals)
- Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center full-time staff (excluding faculty)
- At the discretion of the Senior Associate Dean (under very limited circumstances). Please email graduate.school@ttuhsc.edu for more information.
- Passport: A copy of an international applicant’s passport assists in processing the I-20.
- Placement Fee: A $50 placement guarantee fee is required upon an offer of admissions.
- VISA: International students in a degree-seeking program are required to have an F1 visa. Most employment visas require course work to be incidental to employment and such visas are generally not acceptable for most of our degree programs. Prospective students who are considering a visa change are encouraged to seek the advice of an immigration attorney with any concerns.
- SEVIS – International students, exchange visitors and scholars attending school or conducting research in the United States are required to pay a SEVIS fee prior to obtaining their visas. The fee is associated with the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and took effect September 1, 2004. The SEVIS fee is not reimbursable by TTUHSC.
Application files will not be evaluated until all the above requirements have been met. Applicants will be notified when an admission decision has been made. Three general categories of criteria are used to evaluate all applicants for admissions:
- Academic records: All academic records may be considered.
- Test Scores: Scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Each score is considered separately with percentile scores viewed by broad major.
- Individual Profile: Profiles may include recommendations, research background, motivation, multilingual proficiency, undergraduate institution, presentations, portfolios, and interviews. Admission committees may also consider work experience, demonstrated commitment to a particular field or study, and community involvement.
Clery Annual Security Report
Every year in October, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center releases the Annual Security Report in compliance with the federal law identified as the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act."
The report contains statistics about certain specified crimes and related incidents that have been reported to the Texas Tech Police Department and other campus security authorities for the previous three calendar years. The report also contains policy statements pertaining to campus security, crime or emergency reporting options, emergency response information, and crime prevention for TTUHSC campuses.
Click here to download the annual security report.
To request a paper copy of this report, contact the Texas Tech Police Department by email at police@ttu.edu or by phone 806-742-3931 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
