Policies & Requirements

Admission Policy

Applicants for all programs in the School will be reviewed on an individualized and holistic basis that takes into account each applicant’s demonstrated academic ability; commitment to service; potential for success in and contribution to the profession; and potential for contribution to the overall student-body diversity of the class and the School. Admissions criteria generally will include a consideration of prerequisite course grade-point-average (GPA); overall GPA; Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (where applicable); personal statement or essay (where applicable); letters of recommendation (where applicable); honors and awards received; extracurricular and community service activities; and the results of the personal interview (where applicable). Admissions requirements and weights assigned to program-specific criteria will be developed for each program.

Applying for Admission

Students admitted to Texas Tech University should not consider themselves also admitted to the School of Health Professions. For admission to any School of Health Professions program, the online application must be completed and submitted by the program deadline. Each program has its own applicant pool, from which the most qualified students are chosen for an admission review. Those students who best meet the stated qualifications and prerequisites of the individual programs will be accepted as students of TTUHSC and the School of Health Professions. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a degree from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Health Professions. After graduation, a certification or licensure examination may be required.

Deadlines for Application to the Individual Programs

Qualifying for Admission

A student who wishes to enroll in the School of Health Professions must fulfill the general admissions criteria contained in this catalog, as well as the specific criteria of each program. Information for applications to any Health Professions program may be accessed via the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Health Professions web site at http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/.

Applicants to the Professional Programs

Applicants to the professional programs must have completed all prerequisite courses and met all other conditions of admission before entering the first professional program course. Acceptable minimum grade point averages vary with program and are stated in the appropriate section of this catalog. A personal interview may be required of each applicant.

Prerequisite Course Credits

All questions of course acceptability must be referred to the academic advisors in the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. All college level, non-vocational courses completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities (not including trade or technical schools) will be evaluated for acceptance of prerequisite course credit by the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. In general, credit hours with a grade of C or higher will be accepted. However, evaluation of specific courses is required and decisions made by the program are final. Each student will be notified of acceptance of prerequisite courses. If the required science courses were completed seven or more years prior to admission into the School of Health Professions, the student may be required to retake courses.

State Authorization for Distance Education and Clinical Education

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. California is currently the only state that is not a NC-SARA member. As a public institution, TTUHSC is exempt from state oversight in California and not required to register with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Please see the SARA Policies and Standards document for details of specific authorized activities. Please note that TTUHSC is not authorized to conduct internships leading to professional licensure without direct coordination with the licensure board in that state. TTUHSC has implicit or explicit agreement to conduct 100% online learning activities to students in the indicated states. These agreements do not explicitly allow additional activities with a few exceptions such as a limited number of legislative internships in Washington, D.C. NC-SARA also does NOT include approval by State Boards – such as Board of Nursing, Physical Therapy, etc. 

Student Complaints: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/distance-learning/complaints.aspx.

Applicant Pool

Applicants will be considered for admission only when completed application forms and appropriate supporting documents have been received. All applicants are carefully evaluated by the respective program admissions committees concerning qualifications and potential for successful completion of a professional curriculum.

Admissions Checklist

• Be certain you will be able to meet all admission requirements by the class starting date.
• Application materials may be accessed via the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Health Professions’ web site at www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/.
• Complete all admission materials and mail to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, School of Health Professions at 3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294, Lubbock, Texas, 79430.
• Have current, official transcripts of all college coursework sent to the above address. Make certain that the transcripts are mailed to the above address only. Do not send transcripts to Texas Tech University; this will delay processing of your application. It is the applicant’s responsibility, before the admissions deadline for each program, to see that updated transcripts containing the applicant’s most recently completed coursework have been received.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm that all necessary application materials have been received before the closing date for receiving application materials.
  

NOTE: All applicants with completed applications will be notified in writing as to the final status of their application after review by program admissions committees. Interviews and additional tests may be required before final admission decisions are reached.

Criminal Background Check

The TTUHSC School of Health Professions requires a Criminal Background Check (CBC) after admission but prior to matriculation. CBCs allow the university to evaluate whether TTUHSC students are qualified, eligible, and possess the character and fitness to participate in clinical care and/or clinical rotation sites at TTUHSC or participating institutions.

Immunizations

Students in the School of Health Professions must have had the following immunizations: 

• Varicella (Chicken Pox) Positive Varicella Titer (blood test). TTUHSC does not accept a vaccine for this requirement.
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Positive MMR titer (blood test). TTUHSC does not accept a vaccine for this requirement.
• Tuberculosis: 2 –STEP TB skin test (within the past 3 months).
• Hepatitis B : Positive Hepatitis B titer. TTUHSC does not accept a vaccine for this requirement.
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td): Tetanus Diphtheria booster (required within past 10 years)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis): One time Adult Dose (these are only good for 10 years, must be good for you entire length of stay)
• Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV): Adults 22 and younger (vaccine within the last 5 years)
• Influenza Vaccine.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and maintain proof of all required immunizations. The cost of immunizations are also the student’s responsibility. These requirements can be found on the Institutional Health website under School of Health Professions: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/institutional-health/

International Prospective Students

For students who are not citizens/permanent residents of the U.S.

Application Procedures

The following requirements should be followed carefully in order for an applicant to be considered for a program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Health Professions. Please use your name as it appears on your passport on your application and all other communication with TTUHSC.

Completed Application

Application: Applications must be complete and submitted online. The applicant’s name must be the same as it appears on the passport. All institutions attended must be included on the application. Falsification of application information will void admission to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Non-Refundable Application Fee: A nonrefundable application fee ($75) is required for the application to be complete. Application fees cannot be waived (with the exception for Faculty/Staff waivers). Acceptable methods of payment are checks drawn on a U.S. bank, cashier’s checks, U.S. or international postable money orders, international money orders, or credit cards. The application fee may be paid through the application, online http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/application.aspx  or by sending payment to:

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs 3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294

Lubbock, TX 79430

Official Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency from one of the following before their applications can be considered for admission:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language; www.toefl.org) - 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); Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s institutional code is 6851. TOEFL scores are valid for only two years.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing Service; www.ielts.org) - 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 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. IELTS scores are valid for only two years.

Countries exempt from the English language proficiency requirement:

Official TOEFL score reports or official IELTS results are required from all other countries, unless the applicant has received a degree from an accredited college/university in one of the above-listed countries.

TOEFL can also be waived based on SAT and ACT scores, at the school’s discretion.

TOEFL can also be waived if the student took 4 consecutive long semesters of credit-bearing/non-development/non-ESL courses at an accredited post-secondary school in the US.

Foreign Transcripts: International applicants that have taken any courses outside the U.S., must have a foreign transcript evaluation from a foreign transcript evaluation agency. We do not mandate evaluations come from a certain company; however they must be a detailed course-by-course evaluation.

Foreign transcript evaluations must be official, coming to us directly from the evaluation agency.

If multiple institutions outside the U.S. have been attended, the evaluation must include all institutions attended.

Proof of Financial Support: International applicants must provide proof of financial support as part of their application materials. Proof of funding can be by any of the means below:

1. Student can support themselves. Required documents:

• Student must submit a copy of their bank statement
• No financial statement is needed

2. Student can have a sponsor. Required documents:

• Student must submit a copy of the sponsor's bank statement
• A financial affidavit stating their intent to sponsor
  
  

Passport: International applicants must submit a copy of their passport.

SHP Readmission Application

Students who fail to register or who leave school during a spring or fall semester must submit the application and oath of residency plus a $75 non-refundable application fee. A former student who seeks to be readmitted to a program in the School of Health Professions must have withdrawn in good academic standing and meet all current admissions and degree requirements for the semester of readmission. Automatic readmission is not guaranteed; programs will consider students on a case-by-case basis. For questions concerning the readmission process, email health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

Leave of Absence

In extreme circumstances it may be necessary for a student to be absent from class for an extended time. The School of Health Professions may grant a leave with the approval of the department chair and the consent of the Dean. For information concerning a leave of absence, contact the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Student Affairs.

Withdrawal from the SHP

A student who wishes to withdraw from the School of Health Professions must first meet with their program director then contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs to receive an Official Withdrawal Form. This form must be initialed by faculty or staff from specific areas within the Health Sciences Center. After the withdrawal form is completed, it must be returned to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs for processing. Students who fail to complete this self-initiated withdrawal process within 5 class days will be subject to administrative withdrawal and/or dismissal from the School of Health Professions.

Graduation

A student must be enrolled at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the term in which they plan to graduate and possess the minimum GPA requirement as determined by the program. A student planning to graduate must complete the required application for graduation. Students enrolled in a distance education program may not have more than 6 hours remaining after the spring commencement date to be eligible to submit an application for graduation and participate in commencement ceremonies unless Dean's approval has been obtained.