MLS Admissions Requirements

MLS Traditional Admissions Information

The MLS program begins in August of each year. Please visit the link below for deadline information. The online application and all supporting documentation must be received by the deadline.

Admissions Requirements

1. Online Application
   
   Applicants for the MLS traditional program must complete the TTUHSC SHP online application. 
   
   
2. Application Fee
   
   The $75.00 application fee may be paid by credit card through the online application system. You may also pay by check or money order. Please mail your check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (3601 4th Street MS 6294, Lubbock, TX 79430). Please make checks and money orders payable to "TTUHSC." The application fee is non-refundable.
   
   
3. Official Transcripts
   
   Paper Transcripts:
   Transcripts must be in an official sealed envelope by the institution and sent to our mailing address:
   
   

   TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
   3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294
   Lubbock, TX 79430

   Email PDF Transcripts:
   Applicants must submit official electronic transcripts directly from the institution or third-party processing center to shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.
   
   
   • Applicants must submit official transcripts of college coursework from all colleges attended, utilizing one of the options above. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is separate from Texas Tech University. Do not send transcripts to Texas Tech University, as this will delay the processing of your application.
   • Please note, official transcripts from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center are not required. Official transcripts from Texas Tech University are required.
   • Transcripts from any international college or university must have an official course-by-course evaluation from a Foreign Transcript Evaluation Service.
   • The applicant's responsibility is to ensure all required application materials, including updated transcripts, are submitted before the application deadline for each program.
4. Minimum GPA
   
   A minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.5 is required; this includes all courses taken at every institution attended. A minimum science prerequisite GPA of a 2.5 is also required.
   
   
5. Prerequisite Coursework
   
   All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to matriculation. Applicants who have completed all or most of their prerequisite coursework at the time of application may be at an advantage during the admissions process. The following is an example course plans using the Texas Tech University equivalents of the prerequisite courses. Students wishing to enter the Medical Laboratory Science program should choose either the standard, pre-med or pre-PA options. Substitution of courses may be authorized by the Program Director.
   
   
6. Texas Core Curriculum
   
   Certain prerequisite courses will apply toward meeting the Texas Core requirements as indicated below. Students must have all Texas Core courses completed prior to program entry to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences degree program. Completion of the Texas Core Curriculum (42 semester credit hours) with a grade of C or better:
   
   
7. Admission Requirements
   
   Completion of 42 credit hours of Texas Common Core requirements prior to matriculation.
   
   The Texas Common Core course requirements can be found by visiting the TTUHSC Core Curriculum website. Completion of 28 credit hours of standard science prerequisites prior to matriculation.
   
   Note: These hours may be included as part of your Texas Common Core. Applicants that have not completed the required prerequisites, must submit a plan of completion at the time of application to the SHP Office of Admissions. All prerequisites must be completed by August of the enrollment year.
   
   

   STANDARD OPTION PREREQUISITES

   Standard prerequisites plus the following:

   Course Designation	Credit Hours
   General Chemistry I with lab	4 hours
   General Chemistry II with lab	4 hours
   Biology I or A P I with lab	4 hours
   Biology II or A P II with lab	4 hours
   Microbiology with lab	4 hours
   Genetics or science elective	3-4 hours
   Intro to Organic or Organic Chemistry I with lab	4 hours

   All applicants must complete the program prerequisites (28 hours) and requirements below (Note: No grade of less than a C will be accepted; all science courses must be designated for science majors)

   PRE-MED OPTION PREREQUISITES
   

   The pre-med mentor program is designed to provide direction to students interested in attending medical school following the completion of a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. The primary purpose of this program is to help the student, by means of meetings and counseling, to prepare for and apply to medical school. Preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the admission interview, and other aspects of personal preparation are considered. The goal of this program is to provide to those students with both academic and professional potential the best opportunity to successfully gain admission to medical school.

   Standard prerequisites plus the following:

   Course Designation	Credit Hours
   Organic Chemistry I II	8 hours
   Physics I II	8 hours
   Calculus I or Statistics	3 hours
   Biochemistry	4 hours

   Must verify medical school of choosing as prerequisites vary per school.

   PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT OPTION PREREQUISITES
   

   Standard Prerequisites plus the following:

   Course Designation	Credit Hours
   Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry	4 hours
   Anatomy Physiology	8 hours
   Genetics	4 hours
   Psychology	3 hours

   Must verify medical school of choosing as prerequisites vary per school.

   Additional Admission Requirements:

   For additional requirements for the Pre-Med and Pre-PA options, please visit our website (School of Health Professions) or contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs 806.743.3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu

8. International Applicants
   
   If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the United States, please refer to our International Applicants webpage for the additional requirements needed for your application.
   
   
9. Technical Standards
   
   The Medical Laboratory Science Programs (MLS), to include traditional as well as second degree & post baccalaureate certificate, at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, are vigorous and intense programs placing specific professional, intellectual, physical and social requirements, and demands on the students enrolled in the programs. An objective of these programs is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals with physical and psychosocial impairments. The technical standards set forth by the MLS programs establishes the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to these programs to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies for entry-level practice. Ability to meet these technical standards is required for admission to the MLS programs and must be maintained throughout the terms a student is enrolled in the respective program. These standards are subject to amendment based on changes in health care /scope of practice.
   
   Accepted applicants for MLS’ education programs will be required to verify they understand and meet these technical standards or they believe the standards can be met with reasonable accommodations.
   
   In keeping with applicable federal and state law regarding disabilities, we are committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform successfully in our program. Any student with a disability who is accepted to the MLS program must contact the 504 coordinator in the TTUHSC Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible. The coordinator will evaluate the student, confirm the stated condition qualifies as a disability under applicable laws, and determine what accommodations are reasonable.
   
   There are three separate and distinct components in the curriculum for the MLS programs. There is an academic didactic (classroom) component, a laboratory component, and a clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship/ component. Accommodations in place for the didactic component may not be available for the laboratory component and/or clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship/ components in the curriculum.
   
   To successfully complete didactic, laboratory, and clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship portions in the MLS programs an individual must meet the following technical standards with or without accommodations.
   
   

Application Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Applicants who meet the above listed requirements and are deemed competitive candidates for admission will be invited to TTUHSC for an interview. The admissions committee selects the most qualified applicants for admission by considering the following: cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, interview scores, student essay, and other factors.

Interviews

Admission interviews are granted by the MLS admissions committee by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents.

Application Submission Checklist

1. Online Application
2. Application Fee
3. Official Transcripts

Contact Information

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.