The Facts
Early-Acceptance Program for UTB-STC Students
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies at
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
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How does the early acceptance program work?
The early acceptance agreement is a “3+3” program that leads to a master’s degree in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or physician assistant studies. If you are granted early acceptance, you will complete 3 years of your Biology degree at UTB-STC and about 3 years at UTHSCSA in your professional degree program. After your first year at UTHSCSA, UTB-STC will “transfer back” some of your credits from UTHSCSA and award you a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Then, at the end of your professional degree program, UTHSCSA will award you a Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physical Therapy, or Master of Physician Assistant Studies.
How much time will it take for me to complete my master’s degree?
If you go to school full-time, you can complete your master’s degree in about 3 years at UTB-STC and a little less than 3 years at UTHSCSA. During those 6 years you will earn two degrees – a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from UTB-STC and a master’s degree from UTHSCSA.
Who is eligible for the early acceptance program?
UTB-STC students who have successfully completed at least 20 semester credit hours of a special course of study in Biology and who wish to pursue careers in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or physician assistant are eligible to apply.
If I am granted early acceptance, am I guaranteed admission to the UTHSCSA program?
Yes, if you fulfill specific conditions to be admitted: (1) Complete the program of study that UTB-STC has organized for early acceptance students – and you have to maintain the GPA required by the program that has accepted you. (2) Complete other requirements for admission, such as volunteer work or shadowing of a health care provider. (3) Pass a background check required of all UTHSCSA students.
What’s the advantage of early acceptance?
(1) If you are offered early acceptance and fulfill other admission requirements, you are guaranteed a position in very competitive professional degree programs. This might relieve some anxiety about completing your professional degree. (2) You get an “early start” on your relationship with the faculty of your professional degree program. (3) It looks great on your resume.
When can I apply for early acceptance?
You may apply for early acceptance after you successfully complete at least 25 semester credit hours in a special course of study in Biology at UTB-STC. Generally, you should apply for early acceptance about 2 years before you plan to start your master’s degree program at UTHSCSA. For instance, if you expect to start at UTHSCSA fall 2008, you should apply for early acceptance at during fall semester 2006 or the beginning of spring semester 2007.
When can I submit an application?
Applications are accepted between October 1 and January 31.
Besides submitting an application, what else do I have to do to apply for early acceptance?
You’ll need to have the following sent to UTHSCSA: (1) College/university transcripts, (2) Personal statement (essay), and (3) Two letters of reference. Information about these materials is provided on the application.
What happens after I send my application and other required materials?
Your application and materials will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee of the UTHSCSA program to which you applied and you might be invited to campus for an interview. Successful applicants will be sent a letter offering them early acceptance. The letter will also specify requirements that must be completed before admission to the program. Applicants who are not offered early acceptance will be notified by letter.
Where can I get an application and more information?
Applications and information about the special course of study in Biology are available from Dr. Shanta Goswami, who is the coordinator of premedical programs at UTB-STC. Contact information for Dr. Goswami is provided below.
What if I’ve already completed more than 25 hours at UTB-STC? Can I still apply for early acceptance?
If you’ve already completed more than 25-30 semester credit hours of the Biology program at UTB-STC, it may be to your advantage to apply for regular admission at UTHSCSA near the end of your junior year. Be sure, however, to contact the Allied Health Welcome Center at UTHSCSA to obtain a list of the courses and other admission requirements that you need to finish before applying. Contact information for the Welcome Center is provided below.
How about scholarships or summer programs for early acceptance students?
At this time, there are not any special scholarships or summer programs for students who are offered early acceptance.
What happens if I’m offered early acceptance?
If you’re selected for early acceptance, you’ll be notified by the Admissions Committee of the program that you applied to. Depending on when your professional degree program at UTHSCSA begins, you’ll have time to complete the other requirements before matriculating: (1) completing the rest of the prerequisites for your program, (2) finishing additional volunteer/shadowing time with a health care provider, (3) completing other requirements for admission, (4) passing a background check, and (5) submitting a UTHSCSA application and official college or university transcripts, along with an application fee.
What if I apply and don’t get early acceptance?
If you aren’t offered early acceptance after you apply, you can still apply for regular admission after you complete the program prerequisites and other admission requirements.
Do I have to finish my bachelor’s degree at UTB-STC to apply for regular admission to the occupational therapy, physical therapy, or physician assistant studies programs at UTHSCSA?
No. You just need to successfully complete certain prerequisite courses that are required for admission to these programs. In all three programs, the prerequisite courses take about 3 years to finish (about 90 hours). You also need to complete other requirements, such as volunteer work or shadowing a health care provider. To get a complete list of prerequisites and other requirements for regular admission, contact the Allied Health Welcome Center.
For More Information
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Dr. Shanta Goswami Director, Office of Pre-medical Education Programs 80 Fort Brown LHSB 1.808A Brownsville, Texas 78520 Phone:956.882.5059 Fax:956.882.5043 shanta.goswami@utb.edu |
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Allied Health Welcome Center The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Phone #1: 210.567.8744 (San Antonio) Phone #2: 1.866.802.6288 (Toll-Free) Fax: 210.567.8570 e-mail: AHwelcome@uthscsa.edu |