Admissions and Enrollment

TEXAS CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

Students receiving their first baccalaureate degree from the School of Health Professions must successfully complete the Texas Core Curriculum requirements (19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §4.28). The core curriculum consists of 42 SCH in specified component areas. If a student’s transcript from another Texas public college or university indicates that the student has completed that institution’s core curriculum, no additional core curriculum requirements will be imposed. If a student has not completed the core requirement at another Texas institution before entering the School of Health Professions, the student will be required to earn academic credits from a Texas public college or university to fulfill the School of Health Professions core curriculum course requirements.

The School of Health Professions does not offer lower-level core curriculum courses. However, it has developed a core curriculum to accommodate students who transfer from other states or private institutions. If a student enrolls at the School of Health Professions before completing the core curriculum requirements elsewhere, the student is responsible for completing the core curriculum requirements listed below. The student should obtain approval from his or her advisor before registering for courses intended to fulfill these requirements. The same requirements also apply to out-of-state students (Texas Education Code (TEC), §61.821 et seq.).

Texas Core Curriculum   (42 SCH)

COMMUNICATIONS   (6 SCH)
      ENGL 1301 Composition I
      ENGL 1302 Composition II

MATHEMATICS   (3 SCH)
      MATH 1314 College Algebra or higher

LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES   (12 SCH)
      Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, or other natural sciences

LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURE   (3 SCH)
      Courses in literature, philosophy, modern or classical language/literature, cultural studies or equivalent

CREATIVE ARTS   (3 SCH)
      Courses in arts, dance, music appreciation, music, drama, or equivalent

AMERICAN HISTORY   (6 SCH)
      HIST 1301 United States History I
      HIST 1302 United States History II

GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL SCIENCE   (6 SCH)
      GOVT 2305 Federal Government
      GOVT 2306 Texas Government

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES   (3 SCH)
      Courses in anthropology, economics, criminal justice, geography, psychology, sociology, social work or equivalent

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Consideration for admission to one of the School of Health Professions Programs is not based on race, religion, national origin, veteran status, sex, age or disability (34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §106.9). The School of Health Professions is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.

The following are required for admission to the School of Health Professions’ programs (TEC, §51.808 and Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 40303):

• Application to the program, includes submission of official transcripts, three professional reference forms and a personal interview (Note: Histotechnology and Healthcare A&A programs do not require an interview).
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework.
  • Required courses must be acceptable toward a major in the respective field of study. Survey courses will not fulfill these requirements.
  • Candidates who completed the prerequisite courses seven or more years before admission may be required to update their academic skills. For specific information, contact the program director.
  • A minimum overall GPA and science GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - For all international students whose native language is not English, proof of English language proficiency must be submitted. Refer to the TOEFL section in this catalog.
• Texas Success Initiative (TSI): In accordance with TEC, Subchapter F-1, the School of Health Professions will comply with the TSI. All applicants must provide proof of successful attainment of the TSI, unless they fall into the following categories:
  • Graduation from an accredited Texas public institution of higher education with an associate or baccalaureate degree
  • Completion of 60 SCH of the prerequisites for any School of Health Professions program with a grade of C (75) or higher
  • Acceptable scores (within five years of the application) on any of the following (TEC, §51.803(a)):
    • SAT (combined verbal and mathematics score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal and math test).
    • ACT (composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both English and mathematics).
    • TAAS exams (with a minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing test, a Texas Learning Index of 86 on the mathematics test and 89 on the reading test).
    • Proof of an applicant’s readiness to enroll in college-level coursework, as related to TSI, will be determined by the Office of the Registrar based upon review of official transcripts from previously attended institutions. Satisfactory performance on an acceptable testing instrument is a requirement for admission to the baccalaureate program or to non-degree-seeking admission status.
      
• Additional requirements and/or considerations are listed on the specific program pages of the School of Health Professions website

For additional information regarding specific requirements for a program, contact the Program Director.

NONACADEMIC TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Students who can fulfill the nonacademic technical standards and who have disabilities will need to disclose those disabilities at the beginning of the program if reasonable accommodation is to be requested. Visit the Students with Disabilities section in this catalog for more information on requesting accommodations.

Each program’s accrediting agency may require additional standards. Contact the Program Director for information.

Sensory/Observational Skills

• Candidates for admission to the School of Health Professions must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in laboratory or clinical experiments and practices as required by the program of interest.
• Candidates must have visual acuity corrected to 20/20 and visual perception with respect to color. A color blindness test will be administered during orientation.
• Candidates must be able to visually identify probe colors on slides, computer readout on monitors; interpret reactions on slides, microwells and test tubes and visually identify cellular components and microorganisms under a microscope.
• Candidates must be able to view images for accuracy, view computer screens for extended periods, visually monitor patients during treatment and treatment planning procedures in dim light.
• Candidates must be able to hear various equipment alerts, sounds and signals and background sounds during equipment operations, distinguish phonetic sounds either mechanically or from conversation to perform procedures in low light and monitor patients via audio monitors during treatment and treatment planning procedures.

Physical and Motor Skills

• Candidates for admission to the School of Health Professions must have sufficient motor function to operate/manipulate and maintain a microscope and/or microtome and other laboratory equipment.
• Candidates must have the ability to obtain and/or verify patient samples, ambulate sufficiently to collect blood specimens from patients and possess sufficient stamina to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate manual dexterity required to process samples, operate, maintain and repair laboratory equipment or maintain balance while positioning patient and adjusting x-ray tube and/or perform all aspects of clinical laboratory testing or radiological procedures.
• Candidates must be able to lift 30 pounds of weight overhead, be able to reach up to six feet off floor, be able to move immobile patients from stretcher to treatment table and/or push wheelchair from waiting area to treatment room.
• Candidates for the MRI program must not have foreign bodies or medical implants that are contraindicated for the MRI environment.
• Candidates must be able to stand for long periods of time, maneuver through congested areas to perform positioning procedures and move and adjust medical equipment such as x-ray tubes.

Communication Skills

• Candidates for admission to the School of Health Professions must be able to communicate in English and medical terminology in oral and written form to faculty, staff, colleagues, other health care professionals, patients and visitors.
• Candidates must have the ability to participate in discussions in the classroom and clinical areas.
• Candidates must be able to complete and maintain written assignments and reports.

Intellectual/Conceptual, Integrative and Qualitative Skills

• Candidates for admission to the School of Health Professions must have the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, synthesize and evaluate data.
• Candidates must be able to comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships on a computer monitor or under a microscope and monitor and input clinical data.
• Candidates must have the ability to learn, prioritize and perform laboratory or radiologic testing.
• Candidates must have the ability to make sound judgement and correlate disease states with clinical data.
• Candidates must possess organizational skills and be able to problem solve in a timely manner and under stressful conditions.

Social Behavior and Professionalism

• Candidates for admission to the School of Health Professions must demonstrate the ability to follow instructions/procedures with accuracy and precision.
• Candidates must possess the ability to maintain intellectual and emotional stability and maturity under stress, while maintaining appropriate performance standards.
• Candidates must have the ability to manage time, organize workload and meet deadlines.
• Candidates must be able to function as a part of a team and learn to delegate responsibilities appropriately.
• Candidates must be able to exhibit respect of self and others and project an image of professionalism, including appearance, dress and confidence and maintain complete personal integrity and honesty.
• Candidates must be able to interact appropriately with diverse personalities and populations.
• Candidates must adhere to safety guidelines for self and others and be able to comply with standards and regulations required by external agencies.

ACADEMIC FRESH START

A Texas resident may apply for admission to and enroll as an undergraduate student under TEC, §51.931, Right to an Academic Fresh Start. If an applicant elects to seek admission under this section, the School of Health Professions shall not consider academic course credits or grades earned by the applicant ten (10) or more years before the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll. An applicant who applies under this section and is admitted as a student may not receive any course credit for courses undertaken ten (10) or more years before enrollment.

AUTOMATIC ADMISSION

An applicant is entitled to automatic admission as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets any minimum requirements established by the institution and is a child of certain public servants who were killed or sustained a fatal injury in the line of duty (TEC, §51.803(e)).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS

The Office of the Registrar at UTHealth Houston serves as the Registrar for the School of Health Professions. To access the School of Health Professions online Application Form for admissions to graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs, visit the relevant How to Apply page on the Prospective Students web page.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Approved Transcript Evaluation Agencies (Foreign Transcripts)

All applicants who complete all or part of their college coursework outside the United States (U.S.) must submit their foreign college transcripts/mark sheets for a course-by-course and grade-by-grade evaluation to an approved, accredited U.S. evaluation agency. Refer to the approved evaluation agencies for the latest list of agencies.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

For all international students whose native language is not English, proof of English language proficiency must be submitted. The School of Health Professions accepts the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based format or 600 on the paper exam is required.

The TOEFL Designated Institution Code for UT MD Anderson is 6906.

Applicants meeting any criteria below are exempt from the TOEFL:

• If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, regardless of your native language.
• If you have earned a high school diploma from an accredited U.S. high school.
• If you have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor’s degree or higher-level degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
• If you have obtained a secondary school degree or higher-level degree from a country where English is spoken as the native language.
• If you have completed English Composition I (ENGL 1301) and II (ENGL 1302) with a grade of C or better.

ONBOARDING TO THE SCHOOL

All students who have fulfilled the requirements for admission and have been granted admission status are required to complete the Onboarding process. Invitations to join the online onboarding course are sent according to the admission semester:

• Fall – invitation sent mid-June
• Spring – invitations sent at the beginning of November
• Summer – invitations sent mid-March

During onboarding, newly admitted students will receive information on tasks to complete, including a drug screen (paid by the student), background check (paid by the student), immunization uploads to UTHealth Houston Health Services, mandatory paperwork and training modules.

ORIENTATION FOR THE SCHOOL

All admitted students are required to complete School of Health Professions and program-specific Orientations during or before the first week of their first semester. It is designed to acquaint students with UT MD Anderson, the UTH Houston agencies, the didactic and clinical requirements of their respective program and all the additional resources and services available to them.

International students are required to attend a separate orientation organized by the Academic and Visa Administration – Visa Office. For additional information, contact:

Academic and Visa Administration – Visa
1MC17.3439
7007 Bertner Ave.
Houston, Texas 77030
Phone   713-792-1112
Fax   713-792-6229

TEXAS COMMON APPLICATION SYSTEM

This academic year, the School of Health Professions does not use the Texas Common Application System for freshman and transfer students. The School of Health Professions currently allows applicants to submit online applications for consideration with the Office of the Registrar. The School of Health Professions is preparing to join the Texas Common Application System.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

The School of Health Professions does not accept students who are, or have been, enrolled in a similar program and wish to transfer into one of the School of Health Professions programs. All students must take and complete all required courses shown in the current Health Professions Student Catalog. If the School of Health Professions student prefers to change programs, the student will need to withdraw from the current program and formally apply to the new School of Health Professions program of choice.

TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDIT AND CREDIT BY EXAM

The Office of the Registrar will evaluate all official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions on an individual basis to determine if coursework is acceptable for transfer credit. Official transcripts of credit earned from all institutions of higher education previously attended must be submitted as part of the admissions requirement. The official transcript must include SCH and a grade symbol that reflects satisfactory performance. Not all credit earned by equivalency will be used in the calculation of the student admission GPA. The School of Health Professions does not consider a grade of D in program-specific prerequisite courses to be acceptable performance. Program-specific prerequisite courses taken at other institutions in which a grade below C- was earned are not transferable or applicable toward degree requirements.

Students who satisfactorily completed an accredited health sciences program that holds current licensure/certification may be allowed up to 30 SCH of transfer credit. The number of SCH will be determined by the Curriculum subcommittee of the School of Health Professions.

Accepted students should meet with their program director or designated faculty to complete a degree plan at the beginning of the program. The degree plan should be reviewed and updated periodically throughout the program. The student is responsible for tracking and completing all course requirements for graduation.

The program director will evaluate all official transcripts from regionally accredited institutions on an individual basis to determine if coursework is acceptable as credit towards the satisfaction of prerequisite courses at the School of Health Professions. Credit will not be given for experiential learning or for courses that duplicate prior credit given by another institution. Credit is awarded only in areas offered within the current curricular requirements of the institution and related to the student’s program of study.

Credit by Exam

Credit by Exam may include College Level Examination Program dual credit courses or School of Health Professions administered program examinations.

STUDENT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Students are responsible for fulfilling all financial obligations to UT MD Anderson. Students who do not meet their financial responsibilities are subject to withdrawal from school and the withholding of grades, degrees and official transcripts. Defaulting students may not be readmitted to the institution and will be subject to all penalties and actions authorized by law.

TUITION

Tuition for Texas residents is governed by the Texas Education Commission. Tuition fees are subject to change by legislative or regental action and become effective when enacted. Fee increases are determined by the institution and not mandated by the legislature (General Appropriations Act 2010-2011 (PDF), Article IX, §6.16). For more detailed information about fees and application timetables, visit the Tuition and Fees page.

Tuition and Fees Exemptions

Students who are children of firefighters or peace officers who died or suffered injury in the line of duty may be exempt from tuition. Refer to TEC, §54.351 for more information.

Texas law provides exemptions from tuition and fees for various categories of students, including but not limited to students who are dependent children of any person who is a domiciliary of Texas on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who, at the time of registration, is classified by the Department of Defense as a prisoner of war or missing in action. For more information about these and additional exemptions, visit the College for All Texans site and/or contact the Office of the Registrar.

Resident tuition and fee rates are available to certain veterans and service members, their spouses and children, if the veteran or service member is eligible for benefits. For more information, email the Office of the Registrar and see TEC, §54.241.

Incidental Fees

Incidental fees for enrolled students can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

Installment Payments for Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee payments are made to the UTHealth Bursar’s Office.

Bursar’s Office
7000 Fannin St., Ste. 2240
Houston, TX 77030
Office 713-500-3895
Fax 713-500-3303

Installment payments are made according to the posted deadlines in myUTH, which are also noted on the School of Health Professions’ Academic Calendar.

Six Drop Rule

Under TEC, §51.907, “an institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution of higher education.” This statute was enacted by the State of Texas in Spring 2007 and applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as first-time freshmen in fall 2007 or later.

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) member states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution’s in-state tuition rates. Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs are available for residents of SREB states.

RESIDENCY

Under Texas state law, an applicant or enrolled student is classified as a resident of Texas, a nonresident or a foreign student. Residency for admission and tuition purposes at a public college or university in Texas is different from residency for voting or taxing purposes.

An individual’s residency classification is based on information from their admission application. If an applicant or student is classified as a nonresident and wishes to be reclassified as a resident, it is necessary to submit a Core Residency Questions Form, available in the eForms section in their applyUTH account, which provides more detailed background information than is available from the admission application (19 TAC, §21.22).

Visit the Registrar’s Residency page for information regarding Texas resident qualifications.

OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS, NON-RESIDENT TUITION AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR TUITION REBATES

Tuition rebates may be available to certain students while enrolled in the School of Health Professions. Each eligible student will be notified if a tuition rebate has been awarded to their student account for the current academic year.

Refer to the Student Scholarship section for specific information about non-resident tuition adjustment for competitive scholarships.

ENROLLMENT, WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND

Enrollment

Students can register for classes from the first day of Registration through the 11th class day in the current semester.

Adding and dropping courses

Students can make schedule changes until the end of the 12th class day of the current semester (Census Day). Students will receive a refund or have additional charges added to their account based on the number of semester credit hours involved.

Withdrawal from the School of Health Professions

A student who wishes to withdraw from the School of Health Professions after completing registration must secure the dean’s approval by completing an add/drop/withdraw (ADW) form. The dean’s approval to withdraw must be submitted to the registrar, where the student may request a refund of fees in accordance with the refund policy on the Office of the Registrar's Refund Policy page. No fees will be repaid to anyone other than the payer, except on the payer’s written order.

Students who withdraw from a program will be refunded a percentage of tuition and mandatory fees according to the current Fall, Spring and Summer schedules found on the Office of the Registrar’s Refund Policy page.

Withdrawal from a course before the grade earned becomes part of the student record

After Census Day, students withdrawing from a course or courses before the completion of the eighth week of classes will receive a grade of either W or WF for each course.

Tuition and fees paid by sponsors, donors or scholarships will be refunded to the source.

Medical Withdrawal

A medically ill student whose illness precludes class attendance may withdraw from the School of Health Professions effective the date and under the conditions specified at the time of the withdrawal. A student who requests a medical withdrawal must submit adequate written documentation from the treating physician to the registrar to withdraw the student under specified conditions.

Military Withdrawal

Any student withdrawing from the school to perform active military service as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or Texas National Guard must provide reasonable proof of the fact and duration of their active military service. Moreover, if a student elects to withdraw from the institution, several institutional procedures must be completed before the withdrawal. If eligible, the student may receive a refund in accordance with the academic calendar and posted dates for student refunds. If a student is eligible to receive an incomplete, the incomplete will follow normal registrar’s procedures.

For more details regarding official withdrawal procedures, the student should notify the program director, Office of the Registrar and the UTHealth student financial services offices accordingly. Previously earned coursework will be applied toward the student’s academic record along with any standardized test scores, if applicable. The student will return to the academic status before the withdrawal. Preceptorships will be accommodated as soon as possible for the military student.

ENROLLMENT AND WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE PROCEDURES

Registration Period

• From the first day of Registration through the day Tuition and Fees are due, with no late fee (the last business day before the first day of the semester).
• Students may register for add or drop courses in myUTH.
• Students withdrawing from school must submit an Add/Drop/Withdrawal (ADW) form to their Program Director. Students will not appear in the official enrollment for the semester.

Late Registration Period

• From the day after the Registration Period through Census Day; late fees apply for registration and added courses.
• Students may register in myUTH through the day before Census Day, and with an ADW form on Census Day.
• Students may add or drop courses in myUTH.
• Students withdrawing from school must submit an ADW form to their Program Director. Students will not appear in the official enrollment for the semester.

Withdraw without Receiving a Grade Period

• From the 13th class day through the Friday of the eighth week of classes for the Fall and Spring semester (sixth week for the summer semester).
• Students may withdraw from individual courses or from all courses and school.
• Students must submit an ADW form to their Program Director.
• The grade earned for each course is a W if the student is passing the course at the time of withdrawal or WF if failing.

Withdraw from School Period

• Saturday after the eighth week of class (or sixth week in the summer) through the end of the term.
• Students may only withdraw from all courses and school
• Students must submit an ADW form to their Program Director.
• The grade earned in each course is F in graded courses or U in S/U courses regardless of their progress in the courses, even if the student took a final and passed the course.

After Term Withdraw from School Period

• From the Saturday after the term ends until the Registration Period of the next semester.
• Students must submit an ADW form to their Program Director.
• Since the student withdrew after the semester, the grades earned in each course are the respective final course grades.

SCHOOL OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIPS

Students may obtain a scholarship from any source external to the School of Health Professions. Additionally, the School of Health Professions, through funds provided by the UT MD Anderson Philanthropy Department, annually offers a $500 Pathway to Success scholarship for students admitted to the school for the first time, and competitive $1,000 scholarships to returning students and new Texas non-resident students.

Eligibility

Pathway to Success Scholarships
New SHP Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to accept this scholarship from the school.

• First-time acceptance as a degree candidate into one of the School of Health Professions degree programs
• A minimum admissions overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment every semester.
• Have no more than 3 SCH of prerequisites remaining on the first day of classes of the first semester.
• Complete the necessary paperwork for disbursement from UT MD Anderson.

Competitive Scholarships
Returning students and new non-resident students must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for a competitive scholarship from the school (TEC, §51.809).

• Acceptance as a degree candidate into one of the School of Health Professions degree programs
• A minimum cumulative SHP GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for returning students; or a minimum overall admissions GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for new Texas non-residents.
• Maintain at least half-time enrollment every semester.
• Submit documents for review, which include transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essay, etc.
• Complete the necessary paperwork for disbursement from UT MD Anderson.

In-State Tuition Adjustment for Texas Non-Residents

After review of the competitive scholarship packets, Texas non-residents who rank high enough may receive an in-state tuition adjustment for one, two, or three semesters of the current academic year. Students will be notified if they will receive the adjustment or not, and if so, in which semester(s).

Selection Criteria

Members of the Scholarship Review ad hoc committee lead the review of scholarship candidates. Criteria used include, but are not limited to the following:

• Academic achievement
• Evidence of leadership and involvement (school and community)
• Outstanding character
• Service to community and school