University Admissions Policy

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UNIVERSITY DECISION

It is the policy of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to admit applicants who declare their intention to enroll in a school upon satisfactory completion of all admission requirements set forth by the institution and schools. Schools admit qualified applicants into the term for which they applied at their discretion, based on admission requirements and other standards they deem appropriate.

Each school’s admission policy and its formal application process may be found at each school’s website and through its Office of the Dean. General information about university processes can be obtained through the Office of the University Registrar at the health science center. 

Revisions to admission policies are reflected in the “Admissions Criteria Report," submitted annually to The University of Texas System Board of Regents in accordance with Texas Education Code 51.352 which requires the governing board to “set campus admission standards consistent with the role and mission of the institution," and with Texas Education Code, 51.808, which requires each institution to adopt written admission policies. The health science center admission policies are consistent with the requirements of these laws, other applicable federal and state laws, and The University of Texas System Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules.

PERTINENT INFORMATION

The Office of the University Registrar has the responsibility for ensuring that the institutional admission requirements for each student’s admission are satisfied as a condition for students to be eligible to register. Please note that for applicants who have not been deemed as Texas Core Complete, as marked on the official transcript or by a course by course evaluation, Texas Core courses must be fulfilled before the first day of class or earlier. Concurrent enrollment is permitted in some programs. The respective Admissions Office within each school has the responsibility for ensuring that the schools’ admission requirements and standards for each student’s admission are satisfied. The school has the responsibility of reviewing admission requirements on an annual basis to ensure that they are compatible with the role and mission of the health science center. Each school’s and program’s admissions requirements are located under the school’s section of this catalog.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Academic Texas Core Curriculum

As defined by the Texas Education Code 61.821, it is “the curriculum in liberal arts, humanities, and sciences and political, social and cultural history that all undergraduate students of an institution of higher education are required to complete before receiving an academic undergraduate degree.”

General education requirements completed at private or out-of-state institutions may not be equivalent of, may not fulfill the requirements of, and may not excuse a student from completing the core curriculum.

Degree-Seeking Student

Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or formal award.

Exceptional Admission Student

Students admitted who do not meet the requirement for admission as regular students, but can present sufficient evidence indicating their capability to do university level work.

Non-Degree Seeking Student

A student enrolled in courses for credit who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or formal award.

Matriculation

In its broadest sense, it means to be registered or added to a list. It refers to the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by acquiring the prerequisites. When a student wishes to become a matriculated student, they must follow the admission requirements without exception.

Matriculated

A student who has been accepted into and has enrolled in a degree-granting program.

Regular student

A person who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institution for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential offered by that institution.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

TSI is a state-legislated program designed to improve student success in college. It consists of two components: an assessment to diagnose basic reading, writing, math skills and developmental instruction to strengthen academic skills needing improvement.

ADMISSIONS CATEGORIES

Prospective applicants may be admitted to any health science center school as regular students under the following conditions:

  1. High School Graduate – graduation from a high school accredited by a state department of education and/or recognized regional accrediting association.
  2. GED – successful completion of the General Education Development test (GED) as certified by a state education agency
  3. College/University Transfer – prior attendance at a regionally accredited college or university. Under this condition, applicants will not be accepted if they are ineligible to enroll at their previous institutions.

ADMISSIONS/MATRICULATION PROCEDURES

First-Time Applicants

Prior to enrollment at the health science center, prospective students must complete the following Admission Enrollment Procedures. All applications and supporting documents submitted become the property of the health science center and are not returned to the student.

  1. Applicant must submit the official admission application through the designated application service. Those may include the following:
    • Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS)
    • American Dental Education Association Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS)
    • American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
    • Apply Texas
      • An undergraduate applicant may file, and each institution of higher education shall accept, an application for admission as an entering freshman or undergraduate transfer student that uses the appropriate form adopted under the Texas Education Code 51.762 and 51.763. The form used to apply to a general academic teaching institution may be filed in either electronic or printed format. An institution of higher education is not prohibited from requiring an applicant to submit additional information within a reasonable time after the institution has received an application using a form adopted under this section.
      • A common application form for undergraduate and graduate applicants to particular programs is available electronically through Apply Texas.
      • In addition to other information considered appropriate by the board, the board by rule shall require each institution to collect information regarding gender, ethnicity, and date of birth as part of the application process and report this information to the board.
    • Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
      • Non-Texas residents applying to Dental School may apply through AADSAS, although they may also apply to TMDSAS if they prefer.
    • Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
    • Embark
      • Embark is an online application for all applicants for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for the exception of the M.D./Ph.D. program.
      • The joint M.D./Ph.D. degree program available to Medical students uses the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to apply for this program. Please refer to the website listed above for AMCAS.
    • Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS)
    • Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS)
    • Institutional Paper Applications. Due to the nature and requirements of some programs, paper applications or electronic applications in the form of Word or PDF documents may be used. Programs that use alternate applications include the following, although it may not be all inclusive:
      • International Dentist Education Program
      • Advanced Standing medical students with previously-earned professional degrees at accredited dental schools continuing studies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
      • Advanced Dental certificate programs
      • Certain non-degree seeking students, including Nursing and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences students
    • Nursing Centralized Application Service (NCAS)
      • Applicants for the baccalaureate, Master's & DNP program for Nursing School should apply use the online application provided by NCAS.
      • Any Ph.D. applicants for nursing should apply online using Embark (See above.)
    • Occupational Therapist Centralized Application service (OTCAS)
    • Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
    • Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS)
      • This service is utilized by applicants to medical and dental schools in Texas. All applicants to the School of Medicine must apply through TMDSAS. (Applicants to the M.D./Ph.D. program must apply through AMCAS as well).
      • All applicants to the School of Dentistry who are Texas residents must also apply through TMDSAS. 
  2. Schools may require a supplemental application with application fee which will include Texas Core, Residency Questions, requests for social security numbers, and other identifying information.
  3. Applicant must submit official copies of transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education to include technical and vocational schools and community colleges.
    1. Credit will be considered and may be awarded for courses deemed by the Office of the University Registrar to be equivalent in course content and learning outcomes to other similar bona fide college level courses.
    2. If a previous degree was awarded, the degree must be posted on the official transcript.
    3. If transcripts are obtained from international institutions of higher education, they must be evaluated by an approved Foreign Credentialing Agency. Acceptable agencies include current members of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
  4. Students entering college for the first time, also referred to as first-time-in-college, must submit official transcripts from the last high school attended with date of completion, GED, or an original copy of their home school transcript.
  5. Applicants are required to provide authorization for a security background and sanction check for evaluation by their respective dean’s office. Applicants are responsible for the cost incurred in obtaining criminal background checks per instructions from their dean’s offices.
  6. All students must possess continuous comprehensive health insurance while enrolled at the health science center, including international students.
  7. Excess Hours: Texas Education Code and rules of The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board dictate the maximum number of hours students may complete in pursuit of certain degrees. Undergraduate students may not exceed specific totals of combined semester credit hours based on their degree program, as well as their first year of admission to a college or university, in pursuit of their first baccalaureate degree. Graduate students may not exceed 130.0 semester credit hours in pursuit of a Ph.D. In both cases, the penalty for exceeding the maximum number of hours is assessment of non-Texas resident tuition without options for tuition waivers. See the Excess Hours Policy in this catalog for details.
  8. All accepted applicants intending to enroll are required to have completed immunizations requirements. Each student must submit written and signed documentation by a licensed healthcare provider (M.D., D.O., N.P., or PA) verifying their vaccination status. These are assessed and verified by the Student Health Clinic.
  9. All applicants will have holds placed on their records prohibiting registration. These holds exist to ensure the institution’s receipt of critical documentation, including, but not limited to, updated immunization records, final and official transcripts from previous institutions attended, criminal background checks, and proof of citizenship. Holds may only be removed by designated officials in the various offices ultimately responsible for tracking and verifying the documentation sought. Documentation may need to be updated and/or resubmitted following breaks in attendance or delays in matriculation due to deferrals.
  10. As of September 1, 2017, HB 1508 requires educational programs that prepare individuals for issuance of an initial occupational license to notify each applicant and enrollee of certain information related to their occupational license. Applicants to the health science center with a criminal history could potentially be ineligible for a license, and other certain guidelines and restrictions. Additional information pertaining to HB 1508 may be found at: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB01508F.pdf

Deferred Admission

Applicants who are offered admission may be granted deferred admission to the subsequent term by the admissions office under the school to which they applied. Under deferred admission, applicants must re-apply to the new term using the same application service and method, re-pay any application fees, and submit updated supporting documentation. Under no circumstances will applications be transferred electronically from one term to the next, nor will new, added or increased application fees be waived. Applicants under deferred admission who fail to re-apply using the same application service and re-pay application fees will not be matriculated into the new term.

Declined Admission

Applicants who are offered admission but decline the offer must re-apply to any subsequent term using the same application service and method, re-pay any application fees, and submit updated supporting documentation. This applies regardless of whether the applicant applies to the same program, or a different one. Under no circumstances will applications be transferred electronically from one term to the next, nor will new, added or increased application fees be waived. Applicants who decline an initial offer of admission must re-apply using the appropriate application service and re-pay any application fees in order to be matriculated into the new term, provided an offer of admission is extended under the new application.

Erroneous Applications

Applicants who apply to a program and/or particular term in error must re-apply to the intended program and/or term at their expense and in accordance with specified deadlines. Under no circumstances will applications be transferred electronically from one term to the next, nor will new, added or increased application fees be waived. Supporting documentation must be resubmitted with the new application. Deadlines will not be extended to accommodate the corrected application. In cases where deadlines cannot be met or have passed, applicants must apply to the next available term.

Re-Admission

It is the student’s responsibility to re-apply for admission to the health science center after an interruption of enrollment of more than one year prior to enrolling for classes. Interruption may occur as a result of inactivity and/or failure to register, administrative or voluntary leaves of absence, withdrawal, or dismissal.

In general, an application for readmission by a student who has previously withdrawn or has been dismissed is subject to the same requirements, procedures, and acceptance considerations that apply to first-time applicants. Students will be asked to submit a current, updated criminal background check to their designated student affairs dean or other designated official at their own cost. Students may also be asked to submit new official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended since the time of the previous enrollment as well as provide other recent documents required by the schools. Individuals who have completed the first year of a program may be readmitted, at the discretion of the faculty, on a space-available basis.

If the student does not return after one year has elapsed regardless of the reason, he or she will have to re-apply for admission with the burden of proof for eligibility resting on the student. He or she will be competing for admission against students who have formally applied and been granted a bona fide leave of absence by the respective school prior to their absence and/or all new applicants for admission.

Re-Admission Appeal: Should a student be denied re-admission under this policy, the student may appeal her/his denial of re-admission following the written re-admit appeal policy established by the affected school.

When students interrupt their enrollment at the health science center and return later to complete their plan of study, major curriculum changes may have occurred, affecting the student's ability to graduate with requisite competencies/knowledge currently implied by the degree or certificate sought.

  1. If there have been no curricular changes in the program during the non-enrollment period, the student may remain under the student’s original degree plan. Only the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry recognize an official leave of absence as an interruption to enrollment. Dismissals and withdraws, requested or required, would be treated under re-admission. Students that are re-admitted must start the curriculum with the class they are entering with, not the class they were in previously. The School of Medicine or School of Dentistry will determine the conditions under which a student may return to school from an official leave of absence. 
  2. When a student re-enrolls after an interruption of enrollment of more than one year (four consecutive terms) but less than six years, a conference shall be held between the student and the student’s Program Faculty Advisor or other designated official to determine whether changes in the student's degree plan are necessary to acquire the competencies and knowledge required by the current degree or certificate:
    1. If course content has changed during the period of non-enrollment, even though course titles have not, the student may be required to repeat such courses, if essential new competencies/knowledge must be acquired.
    2. If program curricula have changed during the period of non-enrollment, the student may be required to follow the current degree plan.
    3. If the student re-enrolls in a different program than the one in which the student was previously enrolled, the student's new degree plan shall be governed by the degree or certificate requirements in the newly selected program that are in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
    4. It is recommended that, prior to the conference with the student, the person responsible for this function should obtain a copy of the student’s current transcript and current degree audit record to determine the remaining courses that are necessary to omit the requirements of the original degree plan.

Although the university is under no obligation to readmit any student who has withdrawn or has been dismissed, a student may seek readmission for further study by petitioning the school. Whether readmission will be considered at the entry level or an advanced level will be determined on an individual basis and by the school.

Re-Admission – Military Service

In accordance with Section 51.844 of the Texas Education Code, a student who withdraws from the university in order to perform active military service will be readmitted for any semester or summer session that begins within a year after the student’s release from active service. The student is not required to apply for readmission or pay an application fee, but he or she must be eligible to register for classes the semester or summer session for which readmission is requested. This policy applies to students who withdraw for service with the United States Armed Forces or a National Guard; however, it does not apply to students who withdraw solely to perform one or more training exercises as members of a Texas National Guard.

For information on educational opportunities for veterans, please contact the Veterans Education Counselors Program. 

International Students

Prospective students who are not U.S. citizens and do not have permanent resident status are subject to the same requirements, procedures, and acceptance considerations that apply to first-time applicants. Additionally, students will have to meet specified requirements by the Office of International Services (OIS).

Only degree-seeking applicants are eligible to apply for a student visa status.

Applicants from countries where English is not the native language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test. Please refer to each school’s admissions requirements for minimum scores.

Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application are not acceptable.

  • Countries exempted from the TOEFL, IELTS and/or Duolingo requirement: American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (all), Trinidad-Tobago, and Virgin Islands.

Transcripts from all previous educational experiences (from secondary schools through any post-secondary educational institutions) that are published in a language other than English language must be accompanied with an attachment which translates verbatim the wording on each document into the English language. Transcripts must be evaluated by an approved current NACES member or AACRAO.

International Students - Academic Year 2022-2023

  • International students on F-1 visa who were actively enrolled in a U.S. school prior to March 9, 2020, may enroll in more than one hybrid/online program of study, which consists of both in-person and online components if maintaining a full course of study. International students on F-1 visa registered after March 9, 2020, are only authorized to enroll in one online or one hybrid course per semester.
  • International students on who are outside the United States will not be issued a Form I-20 to enroll in classes operating fully online.

Joint Admissions

Joint admission is a special alliance between a community college/university and the health science center. This partnership is developed to make the student’s transition to the university as smooth as possible. As a community college/university student, joint admission participants can access many of the resources available to university students and receive some university perks before the student actually enrolls at that university.

The benefits to establishing joint admission process are to:

  • Often reduced or no university application fee
  • Academic advising from both campuses to ensure the most effective and efficient path to graduation
  • Often a university ID; this card will also give the student access to the university library
  • Often a free university email account that can be used anywhere
  • Easy transferability of courses between the two schools enabling the student to be awarded a degree after leaving the community college/university.

Students must complete an Intent To Enroll Form when they are ready to transfer from the community college/university and provide official transcripts from the community college/university to the Office of the University Registrar.

Non-Degree Seeking Admissions

An individual who wishes to enroll in courses offered by the school without entering a certificate or degree program must apply for admission as a non-degree student. In general, a non-degree seeking student will have an academic background similar to those ordinarily admitted to the school as a first time student; course prerequisites and minimum grade point averages (GPA) are generally consistent with the published admissions criteria for each school. Permission to enroll as a non-degree seeking student may be granted by the dean or associate dean and will be enrolled only if space is available. Currently enrolled students have priority for courses.

Students seeking non-degree student status must:

  • Communicate their desire to enroll as a non-degree seeking student to the school.
  • receive approval by the school.
  • register as a non-degree student for a maximum of four semesters. Exceptions to this rule will be decided by the school.
  • Students who seek future enrollment in a Certificate or Degree Program may enroll for a maximum of 9 semester credit hours.
  • Non-degree seeking students who seek future enrollment in a school’s program may transfer course hours taken as a non-degree student with the approval of the appropriate director.
  • Non-degree seeking students who wish to transfer courses to degree-seeking programs at a later date must do so within five years of completing the non-degree coursework.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to determine if the course is transferable to her or his school.

Students must go through the appropriate non-degree seeking student admissions process and communicate directly with the school. Students do not have to register consecutively for classes each semester but may skip a semester without penalty.

Course grading policies and standards for non-degree status students are the same as those for regular students. All grades received as a non-degree status student will be included on the student’s transcript and used for computing the cumulative GPA if the student is subsequently admitted to a certificate or degree program.

Admissions - Children of Public Servants

An applicant for undergraduate admission is entitled to automatic admission if the applicant meets any minimum admissions requirements established by this institution and is a child of certain public servants who were killed or sustained a fatal injury in the line of duty.

ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS CONSIDERATIONS

Student admissions committees throughout the university may consider several elements or personal characteristics in the selection of students. The specific elements to be used and the weight applied to each element in the selection of an applicant are the prerogative of the admissions committee of each school or program. Whenever desired by the schools, candidates will be interviewed prior to making admissions decisions. Elements that may be included in consideration of applicants are:

  • Applicant’s goals for future (written personal statement or at interview)
  • Awards and honors for academic achievement
  • Awards and honors of distinction for humanitarian service
  • Awards and honors for public speaking and communication skills
  • Bilingual language ability
  • Commitment/desire to serve in a medically underserved region of the state following graduation (written personal statement or at interview)
  • Educational attainment of the applicant’s family
  • Employment history, especially as it occurred simultaneously with undergraduate academic preparation
  • Extracurricular activities
  • GPA and standard test scores
  • Hometown or county of residence is from medically underserved and/or health professional shortage areas, with particular emphasis on South Texas
  • Leadership potential
  • Personal interview
  • Prior experience in providing health care related services
  • Prior military service with training and experience in health- care-related area
  • Public/community service volunteer activities
  • Reference letters or recommendations
  • Research accomplishments
  • Socioeconomic history (educationally and/or economically disadvantaged)
  • Standardized entrance exams (e.g. Graduate Record Examination [GRE]; Medical College Admissions Test [MCAT]; Dental Admissions Test [DAT])
  • Successful experience in overcoming adverse personal, family, or life conditions/experiences
  • Successful graduation from another nationally accredited health-care-related curriculum. (For example, a respiratory therapist might apply for admission to medical school; or a dental hygienist for admission to dental school, or a surgical technician might apply for admission to nursing school; an Emergency Medical Technician may potentially apply to Physician’s Assistant program, medical school, nursing school, etc.)
  • Texas residency status, including permanent residency status in some programs
  • Volunteer activities in healthcare-related areas and/or the community

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Admission to and participation in the educational programs and activities of the health science center shall be open to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. Preference should be given to Texas residents over non-residents.

To the extent provided by applicable law, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under, any program, or activity sponsored or conducted by The University of Texas System or any of its institutions on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

General Admission Policy and the University's Mission

The health science center's educational programs are designed to meet the health work force needs of Texas, consistent with the University’s mission statement and strategies for achieving the University’s mission to make lives better through excellence in education, research, health care and community engagement. Health science center admissions criteria are aligned to foster the graduation of health professionals who will be responsive to the needs of the increasingly diverse population of the state and to enhance the delivery of care and service to all communities.

ACADEMIC TEXAS CORE CURRICULUM

In compliance with Texas Education Code 61.821 - 61.83, all undergraduate degree programs at the Health Science Center (i.e., health professions, dental hygiene and nursing) require completion of the Health Science Center Core Curriculum.

The Texas Core Curriculum describes the general education requirements that all first time college graduates must complete as part of their degree program.  The core curriculum may be completed at another institution prior to enrolling at the health science center.  Upon initial transfer or subsequent re-admission after one full year or more of non-attendance at the health science center is considered core curriculum complete by another Texas public institution of higher education as noted on the student’s official transcript from that institution, they are considered core curriculum complete that the health science center. 

If the Texas Core Curriculum is completed at another college or university, the health science center will consider this complete if completion of the core is documented on that transcript.

Any student concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education must follow the core curriculum of the institution in which they are classified as a degree-seeking student.  Accordingly all degree-seeking students at the health science center must meet the core curriculum requirement set forth by the health science center to be considered core complete. Students who complete core curriculum of another institution while enrolled at the health science center as a degree-seeking student are, regardless of their status with the other institution, only considered core complete if their coursework satisfies all core curriculum requirements at the health science center.  

The Texas Core Curriculum includes courses such as history, government, fine arts, the sciences, communication and mathematics. It is recommended that the Texas Core Curriculum be completed prior to entry into the health science center; however select courses may be taken during the first semester.   

For detailed information about the Academic Core Curriculum please reference the Academic Texas Core Curriculum Policy in this catalog.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

An applicant’s performance on a standardized test may not be used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant or as the primary criterion to end consideration of the applicant. If an applicant’s performance on a standardized test is used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process, the applicant’s performance must also be used to compare the applicant’s test score with those of other applicants from similar socioeconomic backgrounds to the extent that those backgrounds can be properly determined and identified based on information provided in the institution’s admissions or competitive scholarship process. This does not apply to a standardized test used to measure the English language proficiency of a student who is a graduate of a foreign institution of higher education.

The university may not assign a specific weight to any one factor being considered in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program.

In addition to current university requirements for admission, schools may require that applicants have either:

  1. Successfully completed the curriculum requirements for the recommended or advanced high school program or its equivalent
  2. Satisfied ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment applicable to the applicant.
  3. Satisfied the SAT assessment by meeting the following requirements:  Before March 2016 - A combined math and critical reading SAT score of at least 1070 and a math score of at least 500 AND a combined math and critical reading SAT score of at least 1070 and a critical reading score of at least 500. On or After March 2016 - A math score of 530 or higher AND Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 480 or higher.

The above requirement may be satisfied if the applicant’s official high school transcript or diploma states that the applicant completed the portion of the recommended or advanced curriculum or its equivalent that was available to the applicant, but was unable to complete the remainder of the curriculum solely because courses necessary to complete the remainder were unavailable to the applicant at the appropriate times in the applicant’s high school career as a result of course scheduling, lack of enrollment capacity, or another cause not within the applicant’s control.

TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was instituted to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities possess the necessary academic skills to perform effectively in college. As a transfer student, applicants to the undergraduate programs must submit qualifying scores on tests acceptable to the THECB if they were so required when entering their undergraduate institutions. Established cutoff scores on the SAT, ACT or TAKS tests qualify students for exemption. Proof of these scores must be submitted in place of scores on qualifying tests mentioned earlier. Alternative test scores accepted by the THECB may be provided as proof of compliance with academic skills regulations. Applicants from out-of-state colleges or private colleges who have never been required to take a qualifying test must take the test prior to acceptance for admission. Additional criteria exist to fulfill the TSI requirement. Non-resident students should contact the college for additional information. Request that test scores be sent to the Office of the University Registrar at the health science center directly from the testing agency.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

Transfer credit will be determined by the staff of the health science center at the Office of the University Registrar in conjunction with the schools, on a course-by-course basis from official transcripts submitted in the competitive admissions process. Course content will be determined by catalog course description or course syllabus. Course acceptability is guided by these criteria:

  1. Courses can be considered for transfer if: 

    1. They are acceptable as credit for a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution.

    2. Students may request transfer credit from another institution regardless of its regional accreditation status. These requests are submitted in writing for evaluation by the Office of the University Registrar and the academic department.

    3. Course content is at or above the level of courses specified in the health science center requirements for admission.
  2. Courses intended for use in a vocational, technical or occupational program normally do not transfer; general courses within this type of program may transfer.
  3. Credit on the transcript must appear in semester hours or credits that may be converted to semester hours.
  4. Credit by examination courses will not be transferred.
  5. Equivalency of coursework is determined by content found in catalog course descriptions or syllabi of courses. In case of doubt, departmental faculty will determine equivalency. The final determination is left to the director of the department.
  6. As a general policy, coursework with a passing grade may be transferred, but the applicant must keep in mind that admission to the program is on a competitive basis and grades of "F" are calculated into the grade point average.
  7. Course hours will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis, but will be transferred as a block of hours, and the grades do not calculate into the GPA for the program.
  8. Credit will be given for Finish@UT courses on a select basis.

For detailed information about the transfer credit please reference the Credit Hours Policy.

EXCESS SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

The State of Texas does not provide funds to the health science center for semester credit hours (SCH) earned by resident Texas students (in-state) that exceed certain limits. To offset this loss, the health science center, as permitted by law, will charge tuition at the higher, nonresident (out-of-state) rate to all Texas resident students that exceed these limits.

For detailed information about Excess Hours please reference the Excess Hours Policy.

SIX-DROP RULE

Under Section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code and 19 Texas Administrative Code § 4.10, "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. Any course that a student drops is counted toward the six-course limit if:

  1. The student was able to drop the course without receiving a grade or incurring an academic penalty.
  2. The student's transcript indicates or will indicate that the student was enrolled in the course.
  3. The student is not dropping the course in order to withdraw from the institution.

Courses taken at a private institution or out-of-state do not count toward the six-course limit. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to drop a course without having it counted toward this limit, but it is the responsibility of the student to establish that good cause. Contact the Office of the University Registrar for more information before you drop a course.

A health science center undergraduate student affected by this statute that has attended or plans to attend another institution of higher education should become familiar with that institution's policies on dropping courses.

THREE-PEAT RULE

Undergraduate hours earned in a course taken by a student more than twice (known as the "Three-Peat" rule) exceeds the limits set by state law and may not be reported by the health science center for state funding.

Exceptions to this law include:

  1. Thesis and dissertation courses.
  2. Courses that may be repeated for credit because they involve different or more advanced content each time they are taken.
  3. Independent study courses.
  4. Special topics and seminar courses.

ACADEMIC FRESH START

The Texas Education Code, Section 51.931, entitled “Academic Fresh Start" allows a person who is a resident of Texas to apply for undergraduate admission without consideration of previous coursework. Specifically, coursework completed 10 or more years prior to the date of anticipated enrollment will not be considered in the admission decision, nor in evaluation of excess hours under Texas Education Code §54.068 and §61.0595. This allows the student to begin a new course of study without consideration of or penalty for previous college coursework.

An applicant who has earned a baccalaureate degree under Academic Fresh Start and applies for admission to a postgraduate or professional program will be evaluated on only the grade point average of the coursework completed for that baccalaureate degree, as well as other criteria stated herein for admission to the postgraduate or professional program.

  1. This is an all-or-nothing option. Students are not able to pick and choose which courses to ignore and which courses to count. This option allows for omission of the student's academic record only. If the student chooses the "Academic Fresh Start" option, the student does not receive any credit for any courses taken 10 or more years prior to re-enrollment. This means that:
    1. Courses taken previously cannot be used to fulfill new prerequisite requirements.
    2. Courses taken previously cannot be counted towards a new degree.
    3. Courses taken previously will not be counted in the student’s GPA calculation.
  2. The student must still complete the usual admissions process, including providing information on all colleges or universities previously attended and provide official copies of transcripts from all schools attended.
  3. Once the "Right to an Academic Fresh Start" provision has been claimed, and the student has enrolled, the provision cannot be reversed.
  4. To request an Academic Fresh Start Form an applicant must submit a complete admissions application, a written petition for an Academic Fresh Start and all official transcripts to the Office of the University Registrar.

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE

Students who matriculate at The health science center are required to obtain medical health insurance coverage, whether privately or through the institution. Confirmation of health insurance coverage is required at the time of registration each term in My Student Center. Additional information regarding health insurance coverage can be obtained from the website of the Office of Student Life.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Immunizations are required of all students. The Board of Regents may require immunizations against additional diseases for some students. Further immunizations may be required by the Board of Regents in times of emergency or epidemic. For a list of required immunizations, reference the Immunizations section of this catalog.

RESIDENCY CLASSIFICATION FOR TUITION PURPOSES

Texas law classifies each person who applies for admission to a Texas public college or university as a resident of Texas, a non-resident, or a foreign (international) student. The Office of the University Registrar will classify the student based on the core residency questions. How students are classified is important because it determines whether they pay non-resident tuition rates or in-state rates, which are lower.

Independent students who have resided and established domicile in the state of Texas for 12 consecutive months may be eligible to be considered residents of Texas for tuition purposes. Dependent students may base residency on a parent , court-appointed legal guardian or spouse. The parent, court-appointed legal guardian or spouse, however, must have resided and established domicile in Texas for 12 consecutive months. Additionally, if utilizing the spousal option, the student must document that the marriage occurred on or before 12 consecutive months before the census date. When applying for a residency reclassification, please submit a completed and signed questionnaire, and required supporting documents as listed on the questionnaire. If basing residency on a parent, court-appointed legal guardian or spouse, students must submit documents pertaining to the person for which residency is based on. Failure to submit supporting documents will result in a delayed decision.

Individuals who hold eligible visas may also qualify for in-state tuition.

A student who believes the initial classification to be in error, or who believes that residency for tuition purposes has been established subsequent to the initial classification, may request a review by submitting a Residency Questionnaire to the Office of the University Registrar. The decision of the Registrar is final and is communicated to the student in writing as soon as possible following a decision.

RESIDENCY RECLASSIFICATIONS

Reclassification as a Non-resident

Persons who have been classified as residents of Texas will be reclassified as non-resident students whenever they report, or there is found to exist, circumstances indicating a change in legal residence to another state. If students who have been classified as residents of Texas are found to have been erroneously classified as a result of an omission or falsification, they will be reclassified as non-residents and will be required to pay the difference between resident and non-resident fees for the semesters for which they were erroneously classified.

Reclassification as a Resident

Persons classified as non-residents upon first enrollment may request reclassification. In order to have residence status reconsidered, students must complete the core residency questions and submit it with the appropriate documentation regarding residency to the Office of the University Registrar prior to the first day of class of the semester for which the change is sought. After the form and documentation are reviewed, students are notified in writing by way of an electronic letter of the residence decision.

If students have been erroneously classified as non-residents and subsequently prove to the satisfaction of the university’s residency official that they should have been classified as resident students, they will be reclassified as residents of Texas and will be entitled to a refund of the difference between the resident and non-resident fees for the semesters in which they were erroneously classified.

All students are expected to pay the tuition assessed on or before the payment date for each semester as established by the university. All residency questionnaires and forms verifying non-resident tuition exemption status must be submitted prior to the first day of class of the term for which the change is sought. To prevent any delay in enrollment, students are encouraged to submit all forms at least two weeks before registration.

Non-compliance with Institutional Rules and Regulations.

If students have obtained residency classification by virtue of deliberate concealment of facts or misrepresentation of facts, they may be required to repay the difference in tuition rates and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the health science center. Each situation will be evaluated by administrators of the Office of the University Registrar as well as The Vice President for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs.

REVIEW OF ADMISSIONS

Each school’s admissions committee or equivalent group of officials must regularly review their respective admissions requirements for compliance and good practices within higher education. In accordance with accrediting standards under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and The University of Texas System Regents Rules, admissions practices must be consistent and carried out based on best practices. Consistency includes holding all applicants to the same admissions requirements.