The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) has been approved to award a post-baccalaureate certificate in biomedical sciences.
“We’re very excited to have the official approval for a home-grown program,” says Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D., dean of the GSBS. “Often, this post-baccalaureate certificate is treated as a preparatory program for our students, the natural next step being medical school.”
The new certificate was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) July 25 and interested students can begin applying to the program during the fall admissions season. The two-semester program has been offered at TTUHSC El Paso since 2013; however, until now, students earned their certificates from TTUHSC Lubbock.
The GSBS became the third school of TTUHSC El Paso earlier this year, after the THECB approved the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree January 21. Those who successfully complete the certificate program are ensured an interview with the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (PLFSOM) as part of the medical school admissions process.
“The pipeline that is created between the post-baccalaureate program and PLFSOM is crucial for our certificate students,” says Lakshmanaswamy. “Once admitted, they are already familiar with the campus and available resources because of their post-baccalaureate studies.”
GSBS plans for the future include adding Ph.D. and combined M.D.-Ph.D. programs to offer El Paso even more advanced educational opportunities. The first class of students to be offered the post-baccalaureate certificate in Biomedical Sciences from TTUHSC El Paso will begin classes August 17.
