SBS Admissions

The School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) 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 SBS. 

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

Questions may be directed by telephone at 817-735-2003 or by e-mail to admissions@unthsc.edu.

Applicants applying to SBS must pay a non-refundable application processing fee of $50 to HSC. 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.

The admissions process is designed in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or Veterans of the Vietnam Era status.

Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student’s admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.

All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.

Application Deadlines

Current program application deadlines are available on the Admissions webpage. Application platforms close at 10:59 pm CST on deadline dates.

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

Requirements for Admission

General Graduate Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission to MS and Ph.D. programs in SBS 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 a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are advised to contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment if they have questions about the suitability of their academic backgrounds.
2. The undergraduate GPA is calculated by the CAS application platforms. See the CAS Help Center websites for detailed accounts of GPA calculation process. A competitive applicant typically has a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours of coursework 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.

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

• 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 World Education Services (WES)
• the UNTHSC $50 application fee, paid online upon submission of the application.
• two or three letters of evaluation by individuals in positions to comment on the applicant’s potential as a graduate student and future professional; the number required varies based on the program. See individual CAS application guide for requirements.
• a resume or curriculum vita
• International applicants should refer to the section below for detailed admission requirements.

Applicants are furnished with 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 by writing to Admissions@unthsc.edu within 14 calendar days of the date 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.

Admission to SBS 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, 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 World Education Services

All fees must be paid in U.S. funds online as directed by HSC staff.

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

HSC does not sponsor student visas for international students for online, non-degree seeking, or certificate programs. 

Admission of Undergraduate Students

Applicants for the Bachelors of Biomedical Sciences program should apply through AHCAS to submit relevant information and documents.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in progress
  • A minimum of 60 credit hours completed prior to HSC enrollment
    • Including 42 credit hours of Texas Core Curriculum is required as listed below

• Student’s must meet “Core Complete” status prior to HSC enrollment.
• Up to 73 lower-level hours may transfer, pending transcript evaluation. There is no limit to the number of upper-level hours that may transfer, however the last 30 hours must be completed at HSC.
• 2.0 Cumulative GPA minimum
• 2.0 minimum GPA in science/math pre-requisites
  • 15-16 math and science pre-requisite hours must be completed before HSC enrollment:
    • General Chemistry I + Lab (4 SCH)
    • Organic Chemistry I + Lab (4 SCH)
    • General Biology I + Lab (4 SCH)
    • Pre-Calculus/College Algebra, or equivalent (3-4 SCH)

Application Materials:

• Official transcripts from each and every college/university attended
• Resume (optional)
• Essay Questions provided in the online application
• 1 Letter of Recommendation (optional, Letters from instructors or supervisors who can speak to your ability to be successful in an online program.)
• No Test Scores Required
• AHCAS Application Fee

Applicants applying to SBS must pay a non-refundable application processing fee of $50 to HSC.

Admission of Applicants to Non-Degree Status

HSC recognizes that some students may wish to be admitted to SBS for the purpose of taking courses not necessarily leading to an advanced degree. Admission to SBS 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 they 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 Dean. Completion of advanced graduate courses by non-degree students does not obligate SBS 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 in Summer 2020; no enrollment in Fall 2020 or Spring 2021; re-enrolls in Summer 2021.

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

1. The student has not received a degree from HSC since the last enrollment.
2. The student does not have any current blocks on their 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 SBS 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 want to be considered for the PhD program must be reviewed by the SBS 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 working toward the doctorate degree are required to submit an application for admission to the SBS 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 SBS 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 their 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 complete the full application process and meet all admission requirements. Micro-credential courses may be considered for use as elective courses toward a graduate degree.

Program Details:

Additional program details and curriculum can be found for each degree plan on the School of Biomedical Sciences home page .