Admissions

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) actively seeks applicants who are dedicated to a career improving healthcare through research and specialized training. Applicants with a long-term goal of pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are not required to complete a Master of Science (MS) and are encouraged to apply directly to the PhD program.

Application

All applicants must complete the online application for admission to GSBS. Applicants reapplying or GSBS alumni applying for a second degree program should contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment for additional instructions.

All supporting documentation such as transcripts, letters of recommendations, entrance exam scores, resumes, will be upload and/or sent directly to the appropriate centralized application system for the program to which you are applying (PostBacCAS, BioMedCAS, GradCAS).

Questions may be directed by telephone to 817-735-2789 or by e-mail to gotogradschool@unthsc.edu.

Applicants applying to GSBS must pay a non-refundable application fee of $50. This application fee is valid for one year from the application date. Fees must be paid in U.S. currency. Application fees are waived for McNair Scholars that provide documentation of participation in a McNair program. The centralized application services charge additional fees.

Application Deadlines

The deadlines listed below are not postmark deadlines. All application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. on deadline day. All application materials submitted become the property of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) and cannot be returned.

It is highly recommended that international applicants apply well in advance of these deadlines to allow preparation of immigration documents.

Requirements for Admission

General Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission to GSBS must meet the following requirements.

1. Applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree. A competitive applicant typically has a background in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are advised to contact the Office Admissions and Recruitment if they have questions about the suitability of their academic backgrounds.
2. The undergraduate GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. A competitive applicant typically has a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours of course work before receiving their bachelor’s degree, or on all undergraduate work. Applicants who have already completed a master’s degree should have at least a 3.0 GPA on their master’s or meet the undergraduate GPA standards listed above in order to be accepted.

All applicants seeking admission to the face-to-face cohort of the MS in Medical Sciences program must submit Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores. Applicants to the face-to-face cohort of the MS in Medical Science program who are interested in entering dental school may submit Dental Application Test (DAT) scores instead of the MCAT. The application must clearly state the interest in the relevant program in order to substitute the MCAT score. Applicants to other graduate degree programs (traditional research MS or PhD, online Medical Science, Biotechnology, and Clinical Research Management) may submit a GRE Score or MCAT as a supplement to their application but it is not required. Applicants to dual degree programs with the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine or the UNT System College of Pharmacy must provide an MCAT score or PCAT score, relative to the dual program.

To be considered for admission, the applicant must file the following official credentials with GSBS:

• an online application for admission
• transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• applicants who have attended foreign universities must provide, at their own expense, an official evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalency from one of the following services: International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc. (IACEI), World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• official scores on the required entrance test, as applicable
• the $50 application fee, paid online upon submission of the application, or payable by check or money order issued to UNTHSC
• two letters of evaluation by individuals in positions to comment on the applicant’s potential as a graduate student and future professional
• a resume or curriculum vita
• International applicants should refer to the section below for detailed admission requirements.

Applicants are furnished electronic notification of their admission status. Written or verbal statements are not valid until confirmed by the electronic notification. Applicants may appeal their admission decision writing to GoToGradSchool@unthsc.edu within 14 calendar days of the date of the original decision is posted in the application portal. Applicants may supply additional documentation not provided with the original application, along with an essay pertaining to extenuating circumstances that were not previously addressed. The Admission Appeals Committee will make appeals decisions by majority vote. The committee’s decision is final and the appeals process ends with the communication of the committee’s decision. 

Applicants who are admitted to a graduate degree program and do not enroll in the semester for which they have applied must reapply to a future semester.

Admissions to GSBS does not imply candidacy for a graduate degree.

Admission Requirements for International Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents should apply for admission at least six months before the anticipated enrollment date. 

In addition to the General Admission Requirements listed above, applicants who are graduates of foreign colleges or universities must present the additional documentation:

• official reports from ETS showing a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS or evidence of successful completion of a non-credit intensive course in English. Please allow sufficient time for the service to evaluate credentials.
• official evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalency from either World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators
• proof of available financial resources, filed with application for admission

All fees must be paid in U.S. funds online or by check or money order made payable to UNTHSC.

The HSC at Fort Worth will not issue immigration papers for student visas until all admission credentials have been received and approved.

Admission of Applicants to Non-Degree Status

HSC recognizes that some students may wish to be admitted to GSBS for the purpose of taking courses not necessarily leading to an advanced degree. Admission to GSBS may be granted, subject to the following provisions:

1. The applicant must meet all of the general admission requirements described above and must meet all application deadlines.
2. The student in this status is required to receive credit in all graduate courses taken, and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 on all such courses attempted.
3. A student who is admitted to non-degree status has no assurance that work completed under this status will be applicable toward degree requirements should he or she subsequently be admitted to a degree program at the Health Science Center. A maximum of 12 semester hours may be taken. Exceptions to this policy can be approved only by the graduate dean. Completion of advanced graduate courses by non-degree students does not obligate GSBS to grant admission to a degree program at a later date, unless all general and specific requirements for admission to that program have been met.
4. International applicants are not eligible for non-degree admission.

Admission of Dual Degree Students

Dual degree applicants must secure admission independently through each school participating in the dual degree program.

Admission of Continuing Students

A continuing student is defined as a student who enrolls one time during three consecutive semesters. Example: enrolls Summer 2020; no enrollment Fall 2020 or Spring 2021; re-enrolls Summer 2021.

Continuing students do not need to reapply to GSBS if they meet all of the following conditions:

1. The student has not received a degree from HSC since last enrollment.
2. The student does not have any current blocks on his or her record, i.e., fiscal or academic.

Students who are unsure that they meet all of the above conditions for re-enrollment should contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment prior to the registration period.

Readmission of Former Graduate Students

Students who previously have been admitted to GSBS but have not enrolled here during the last three consecutive semesters (i.e., Fall, Spring, and Summer) must complete the same application procedures as first time applicants.

Admission of Current MS Students to PhD Program

Current MS students who wish to change from the MS program to the PhD program must be reviewed by the GSBS Admissions Committee. The student must apply to the PhD program through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment within the deadlines established by the Academic Calendar .

The student must be in good academic standing in the MS program to be considered for admission to the PhD program.

Courses Taken for Doctoral Credit by Students Completing the Master’s Degree

Students completing the MS degree at HSC who plan to continue work toward the doctorate degree are required to submit application for admission to the GSBS for the PhD program. Those who wish to begin taking courses to be credited toward the PhD before receiving the MS degree must declare this intention in the GSBS Office of Student and Academic Services at the time of registration for doctoral status, so that doctoral work may receive proper credit. Final acceptance of such work will not be granted until the student has secured full admission to the PhD program.

Micro-credentials

Micro-credentials are courses designed to master a particular skill set and are useful for career advancement, professional knowledge, or personal knowledge. Once all requirements for a micro-credential course are completed, the student will earn a digital certificate or badge to use on his/her professional profile or resume. Micro-credential courses are open enrollment which means that anyone may participate. Micro-credential students that develop an interest in completing a graduate degree must make full application and meet all admission requirements. Micro-credential courses may be considered for use as elective courses toward a graduate degree.