School of Allied Health

Professor Paul P. Brooke Jr., Dean

The Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health offers the following degrees: CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE, Bachelor of Science; COMMUNICATION DISORDERS, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, Bachelor of Science; PHYSICAL THERAPY, Master of Physical Therapy; and four levels of certification in Emergency Medical Services. All programs are fully accredited and include both didactic and clinical practice components in the curriculum.

Admission to School of Allied Health programs is competitive and by application to the school. Admission and application deadlines vary for each program. Inquiries and requests for applications should be directed to

Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
Room 2B-194
School of Allied Health
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX 79430
(806) 743-3220; (806) 743-3249 FAX

Admission to Texas Tech University does not confer admission to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health. Nor does admission to the School of Allied Health confer admission to Texas Tech University.

Prospective students and other interested persons are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services and Academic Affairs for information on health careers and educational programs.

Occupational Therapy. The entry level degree is the Master of Occupational Therapy. This degree is offered at three of the four Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campuses: Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa.

Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" they need to live satisfying lives. Services typically include:

·Customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out the activities of daily living;

·Comprehensive evaluation of home and job environments and recommendations on necessary adaptation;

·Assessments and treatment of performance skills;

·Recommendations and training in the use of adaptive equipment to replace lost function;

·Guidance to family members and attendants in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice.

Applications are accepted each year between September 1 and February 15 for admission into the class beginning the following May. The first year summer semester courses are offered in Lubbock only. Applications are due in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs by February 15 each year. All additional materials, including the most recent transcript and letters of reference are due by March 1. Class size is limited and all admissions are competitive. For more complete admissions information, please visit the Admissions Web site at <http://www.ttuhsc.edu/pages/alh>, send e-mail message to <alhadm@ttuhsc.edu>, or contact us at Allied Health Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, 2B194, 3601-4th, Lubbock, TX 79430 (806) 743-3220.

Clinical Laboratory Science. Medical Technologists (MT), or Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) perform diagnostic laboratory procedures in hospital, clinic or veterinary laboratories. Diagnostic analyses in hematology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis yield information which is of vital importance in establishing a medical diagnosis.

The clinical laboratory science program at Texas Tech requires students to complete two years of lower division courses followed by a two-year upper-division professional curriculum at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Admission is by application only. Transfer students may also apply.

The program in Clinical Laboratory Science offers three options: a standard option, a premedical (dental, veterinary, pharmacy) option, and a business option. Students enrolled in the premedical option are assigned to a faculty advisor. Particular attention is given in the areas of course selection, MCAT preparation, recommendations, and personal expectations. Students enrolled under this option will also have the opportunity to observe various aspects of the TTU School of Medicine and the Health Sciences Center, such as lectures, laboratories, etc.

The business option is designed for students who want a business education focused on the health care (especially the clinical laboratory) sector. Students receive a bachelor of science degree in clinical laboratory science with a business emphasis.

STANDARD OPTION

*The chemistry requirement must include a minimum of one semester of organic or biochemistry. The remaining semester may include organic, biochemistry, or any chemistry course above the freshman level.

**Social science electives may be selected from the following: ANTH 1301, 2301, 2302; ECO 2305; PSY 1300; SOC 1301, 1320.

Professional level courses are listed and described in the School of Allied Health Catalog.

PREMEDICAL OPTION

*Social science electives selected from the following: ANTH 1301, 2301, 2302; ECON 2305; PSY 1300; SOC 1301, 1320.

Professional level courses are listed and described in the School of Allied Health Catalog.

BUSINESS OPTION

*The chemistry requirement must include a minimum of one semester of organic or biochemistry. The remaining semester may include organic, biochemistry, or any chemistry course above the freshman level.

Six hours of business courses may be taken during the summer of the junior-senior year.

Professional level courses are listed and described in the School of Allied Health Catalog.

Students who wish to apply should contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at the School of Allied Health for information and forms.

Additional information can be obtained from Lori Rice-Spearman, Program Director, at 743-3252.

Physical Therapy. The entry level degree is the Master of Physical Therapy degree. This degree will be offered at three of the four Texas Tech University Health Sciences campuses: Amarillo, Lubbock, and the Permian Basin.

Physical therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct, and alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. Physical therapistsas members of the health care teamevaluate, treat, and instruct human beings to alleviate and/or limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, and pain from injury, disease, and other bodily conditions. Physical therapists may use physical elements such as heat, cold, sound, light, water, exercise, electricity, massage, mobilization, and positioning to reach patient goals.

Applications are accepted each year between September 1 and January 15 for admission into the class beginning the following June. Applications are due in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs by January 15 each year. All additional materials including the most recent transcripts and letters of reference are due by January 31. Class size is limited and all admissions are competitive. For more complete admissions information, please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, Rm. 2B-194, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430, or telephone (806) 743-3220.

Students who are attending Texas Tech University and wish to take the courses to satisfy prerequisite requirements for the professional program may enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences as prephysical therapy majors. These students will be advised through the Office of Preprofessional Health Careers at Texas Tech University, Rm. 340, Chemistry Building, telephone (806) 742-3078.

Communication Disorders. The ability to communicate is our most basic human characteristic. Communication is essential to learning, working, and social interactions. However, one in ten Americans has a communication disorder because of a stroke, an undetected hearing loss, a stuttering problem, a language disorder, a movement or muscle problem, or some other problem that interferes with speech, language, or hearing. This makes them the single largest population of challenged Americans. To meet these needs, speech-language pathologists and audiologists are educated to diagnose and treat all communication disorders and their related problems. Diagnostic techniques include many behavioral, cognitive, physiological, and technological procedures designed to assess speech, language, and hearing. Treatment for communication disorders is varied and often employs an interdisciplinary approach. Working closely with physicians, dentists, psychologists, educators, engineers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians, the speech-language pathologist or audiologist is solely responsible for treating the patients' communicative needs.

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists provide professional services in many different types of facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, community clinics, colleges and universities, burn clinics, private offices, state and local health departments, public and private schools, and state and federal governmental agencies. Services are provided for all ages and may be administered over a brief period or continue for several years.

Admission to the Bachelor of Science Program. Admission into the baccalaureate program begins in March of each year for the following fall class. Class enrollment is limited. Admission guidelines include 1) filing of a formal application, 2) a cumulative 3.0 GPA, 3) a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, 4) demonstration of superior communication skills, and 5) proof of appropriate immunizations against infectious diseases. Applicants whose native language is not English must earn a score of at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to admission. Applicants whose prerequisite courses were taken longer than seven years ago should contact the department to determine current acceptability. Students are required to adhere to all policies as outlined by the department, the School of Allied Health, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Students also have specific rights as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Prerequisite courses for the preprofessional program include the following or their approved equivalents for a total of 66 hours. These courses may be completed at any accredited college or university. Students should note that course requirements may change without notice.

Students who are attending Texas Tech University and wish to take the courses to satisfy prerequisite requirements for the baccalaureate program in communication disorders may enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences as precommunication disorders students. These students will be advised through the Office of Preprofessional Health Careers at Texas Tech University, Room 340 Chemistry Building, telephone (806) 742-3078. Prerequisite courses for entry into the baccalaureate program include those on the accompanying table or their approved equivalents for a total of 66 hours. These courses may be completed at any accredited college or university.

*One sophomore-level or higher intensive writing course is required.

**One course in statistics is required.

One course addressing life span issues and one course addressing multicultural issues is required.

Choose from English, Communication Studies, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Technology and Applied Science, Humanities, Business Administration, and Economics with advisor approval.

Students should be aware that the terminal degree for licensure in communication disorders is at the master's level. For further information on these advanced degrees, contact the admissions office at the above address.

Emergency Medical Systems Management. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating board approved an EMS bachelor's program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. It will specifically focus on nontraditional students to prepare working EMTs to assume leadership roles. It was designed to enhance educational opportunities for EMS professionals. Based in the School of Allied Health's Department of Diagnostic and Primary Care, the EMS degree will meet the professional educational needs of currently certified EMTs interested in careers in EMS systems administration, management, and organizational leadership.

In June 1998, TTUHSC and South Plains College entered into a cooperative agreement to provide an instructional program for students seeking Certificates of Proficiency or the Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Services from South Plains College. The cooperative agreement also initiated a plan for efficient use of facilities and personnel from each institution to provide quality EMS instruction throughout the Texas South Plains. Under the cooperative agreement, TTUHSC retains responsibility for direction, administration, medical oversight, design, instruction, continuing evaluation, and modification of all EMS courses. The Health Sciences Center provides all instructors, instructional equipment, supplies, audiovisual materials, and classroom support for these courses and maintains the clinical affiliations necessary to support the program of instruction. TTUHSC is also responsible for maintaining accreditation of the EMS instructional program through CAAHEP. The EMS program's administrative and faculty offices are located at the Health Sciences Center.

The B.S. degree in Emergency Medical Systems Management will provide EMS professionals with the means of gaining upward mobility by getting additional skills and education resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree.

Prerequisites. A minimum of 69 semester credit hours, including the courses listed below, is required for unconditional admission. Some courses may have substitutions.

Anatomy and physiology -- 8

Introduction to computers -- 4

U.S. history -- 6

Political science -- 6

English -- 6

Introductory mathematical analysis (or equivalent) -- 6

General psychology -- 3

Speech -- 3

TOTAL -- 42

A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with a grade of C or better in each course is required. Additionally, the applicant must have EMS experience. Contact the EMS Programs Department for further information.

Emergency Medical Systems Management Curriculum.

Suggested Schedule: Some courses may have substitutions.

Total hours--133

During the senior year, students will complete an organizational leadership internship. The internship will provide supervised practice of administrative principles within an organization providing prehospital care or with a regional or state EMS organization. An overall GPA of 2.5, a GPA of 3.0 in the major courses, completion of all other required course work, and permission of the Program Director are required before enrolling in the internship.

AHEM courses will be delivered via Web-CT, HealthNet, and correspondence and (when appropriate) using a one- to two-week intensive format. Additionally, with the exception of MGT 3374 and 4371, all required courses from the College of Business Administration are available through correspondence. As is usually the case with programs offered by TTUHSC, course work will be available via interactive television at the regional campuses. TTUHSC HealthNet currently operates an intercampus distance education systems that supports a 19-classroom interactive network on four regional campuses. The system is currently used to provide more than 10,000 individual classroom instruction sessions annually. Students may have the opportunity to transfer applicable courses from other colleges to meet stated requirements.