Health Sciences Center

School of Allied Health

Professor Hal S. Larsen, Interim 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. Occupational therapy is an integral component of the comprehensive health care, education, and rehabilitation of persons whose daily life patterns have been changed due to cognitive or developmental problems, injury, illness, social or emotional defects or the aging process. Interventions used by occupational therapy focus on helping individuals to achieve a health adapted balance between the important life tasks of work, self-care, play and leisure, and rest.

Educational preparation for a career in occupational therapy is the baccalaureate degree. The occupational therapy program at Texas Tech requires students to complete two years of lower division courses at Texas Tech University or any accredited college or university followed by a two year upper division professional curriculum at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a six month clinical internship. In addition to the regular curriculum, clinical training is scheduled concurrently with course work and during semester breaks to allow the student to reinforce and test knowledge and skills presented in the classroom. Questions regarding licensure and certification should be addressed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs for the School of Allied Health.

Admission to the program is by application only. Students are considered for admission during the preprofessional course work. Application materials for the professional level are accepted each year beginning September 1; application deadline is February 1. Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain clinical experience by observation, voluntary service, or paid employment in occupational therapy or a related area. Class size is limited and all admissions are competitive.

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 the department chairperson at 743-3240.

Required Lower Division Courses Semester hours

ENGL 1301, Essentials of College Rhetoric--3
ENGL 1302, Advanced College Rhetoric--3
HIST 2300, History of the U.S. to 1877--3
HIST 2301, History of the U.S. since 1877 or
HIST 3310, History of Texas--3
COMS 2300, Public Speaking or equivalent--3
MATH 1321, Trigonometry--3
MATH 2300, Statistical Methods or
PSY 3403, Statistical Methods or
SOC 3391, Introduction to Social Research--3
CHEM 1307, Principles of Chemistry I--3
CHEM 1107, Principles of Chemistry I (Lab.)--1
BIOL 1402, Biol. of Animals, or BIOL 1403 & 1404, Biol. I & II--4-8
PSY 1300, General Psychology--3
POLS 1301, American Government, Organization--3
POLS 2302, American Public Policy or
POLS 3329, Ethnic Politics--3
PHYS 1306, General Physics I--3
PHYS 1103, Experimental General Physics I (Lab.)--1
ZOOL 2403 and 2404, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II or
ZOOL 3405, Vertebrate Structure and Development and
ZOOL 4409, Comparative Animal Physiology--8
SOC 1301, Introduction to Sociology--3
EDIT 2318, Computers & Information Tech or
CS 1300, Computers & Modern Society or
a personal computer course--3
Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy elective--3
Humanities elective--3
Elective--3

Total--65-69

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

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 Department of 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. The business courses are those required for a general business minor by the Texas Tech University College of Business Administration.

STANDARD OPTION

Required Lower Division Courses Semester hours
Biology or Anatomy and Physiology--8
BIOL 1404, Biology II--4
CHEM 1307, Principles of Chemistry I--3
CHEM 1107, Principles of Chemistry I (Lab.)--1
CHEM 1308, Principles of Chemistry II--3
CHEM 1108, Principles of Chemistry II (Lab.)--1
*CHEM 3103, Introductory Organic Chemistry (Lab.)--1
*CHEM 3303, Introductory Organic Chemistry--3
*CHEM 3402, Physiological Chemistry--4
ENGL 1301, Essentials of College Rhetoric--3
ENGL 1302, Advanced College Rhetoric--3
HIST 2300, History of the U.S. to 1877--3
HIST 2301, History of the U.S. since 1877--3
POLS 1301, American Government, Organization--3
POLS 2302, American Public Policy--3
MATH 1320, College Algebra--3
MBIO 3401, General Microbiology--4
**Social Science elective--3
Social Science elective--3
Electives--6

Total--61

*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

Required Lower Division Courses Semester hours
BIOL 1403, Biology I--4
BIOL 1404, Biology II--4
CHEM 1307, Principles of Chemistry I--3
CHEM 1107, Principles of Chemistry I Lab.--1
CHEM 1308, Principles of Chemistry II--3
CHEM 1108, Principles of Chemistry II Lab.--1
CHEM 3305, Organic Chemistry I--3
CHEM 3105, Organic Chemistry I Lab.--1
CHEM 3306, Organic Chemistry II--3
CHEM 3106, Organic Chemistry II Lab.--1
ENGL 1301, College Rhetoric--3
ENGL 1302, Advanced College Rhetoric--3
HIST 2300, U.S. History to 1877--3
HIST 2301, U.S. History from 1877--3
MATH 1320, College Algebra--3
MBIO 3401, General Microbiology--4
PHYS 1103, General Physics I Lab.--1
PHYS 1104, General Physics II Lab.--1
PHYS 1306, General Physics I--3
PHYS 1307, General Physics II--3
POLS 1301, American Govt., Organization--3
POLS 2301, American Public Policy--3
*Social Science Elective--3
Elective--3

Total--63

*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

Required Lower Division Courses Semester hours
ACCT 2300, Elem. Accounting I--3
ACCT 2300, Elem. Accounting II--3
BIOL 1403, Biology I--4
BIOL 1404, Biology II--4
CHEM 1307, Principles of Chemistry I--3
CHEM 1107, Principles of Chemistry I (Lab.)--1
CHEM 1308, Principles of Chemistry II--3
CHEM 1108, Principles of Chemistry II (Lab.)--1
*CHEM 3103, Introductory Organic Chemistry (Lab.)--1
*CHEM 3303, Introductory Organic Chemistry--3
*CHEM 3402, Physiological Chemistry--4
ECO 2301, Prin. of Economics I--3
ECO 2301, Prin. of Economics II--3
ENGL 1301, Essentials of College Rhetoric--3
ENGL 1302, Advanced College Rhetoric--3
HIST 2300, History of the U.S. to 1877--3
HIST 2301, History of the U.S. since 1877--3
ISQS 2445, Intro. to Business Statistics--4
MATH 1330, Intro. Math. Analysis--3
MATH 1331, Intro. Math. Analysis--3
MBIO 3401, General Microbiology--4
POLS 1301, American Government, Organization--3
POLS 2302, American Public Policy--3

Total--68

*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.

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 Dr. Hal S. Larsen, department chairperson, 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 theses 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, physiologic, and technological procedures designed to assess speech, language, and hearing. Treatment for communication disorders is varied and often employs an interdisciplinary approach. Working carefully 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 five 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.

Content AreaEquivalent TTU Courses Semester hours
Writing Courses
*EnglishENGL 1301, 1302, 2309, or 33659
U.S. HistoryHIST 2300 and 23016
U.S Political SciencePOLS 1301 and 2302 6
Sciences
MathematicsMATH 1321 and 23006
PSY 3403
Basic Sciences
(with labs)BIOL 1402, 1403 or 1404
PHYS 1303 & 1101; 1306 & 110312
ZOOL 2403, 2404, 3405 or 4409
Computer LiteracyC S 1300 or EDIT 23183
**Behavioral Education
PSY 1300, 4301, 4330, or H D 23039
ANTH 1301, 2300, 2302, SOC 1301, 3324,
3337, or COMS 3306
Behavioral ElectivesPSY 2301, 2305, 3318, 3327, 6
4323, 4324
H D 3301, PHIL 1310, 2320, or 3322
General Electives 9
Total Hours 66

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

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

Choose from any course choices.

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 Services. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) technicians are health care professionals whose primary role is providing patient care in pre-hospital settings. EMS technicians respond to scenes of medical emergencies and accidents, assess patients found there, initiate treatment under written or verbal orders from a physician, and transport the patients to appropriate medical facilities. Life-saving care which otherwise would be available only in an emergency department is taken out of the hospital into the community.

The State of Texas recognizes four levels of certification for EMS technicians: Emergency Care Attendant, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. Certification examinations for all levels are administered by the Texas Department of Health. Emergency Medical Programs at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers instruction which qualifies the student for each level of certification. All courses are approved by the Emergency Medical Services Division of the Texas Department of Health. The paramedic education component of the program is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the EMT Paramedic.

To meet the needs of persons who wish to pursue careers in emergency medical services and those who wish to serve their communities as volunteers, Emergency Medical Programs offers courses both in Lubbock and in the surrounding 15-county region.

Three basic courses, one intermediate course, and one paramedic course are taught in Lubbock each year. These courses follow the academic calendar used by TTUHSC. Basic and intermediate courses are taught in other communities in the surrounding 15 counties when requested by local EMS organizations.

Additional information about the program can be obtained by calling 743-3218. Courses are listed and described in the School of Allied Health Catalog.


Return to Home Page

Page Maintained by: Cheryl Hedlund

Page Administrator: Gale Richardson

LAST UPDATE: 6-1-98


Jan 21, 2020