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College of Health Professions
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    The College of Health Professions at UTRGV offers diverse programs in health sciences, research, and community initiatives. Learn more about how we are advancing healthcare education and serving communities across South Texas and beyond.

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    Explore The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s College of Health Professions, offering diverse, high-quality programs in physical therapy, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, nutrition, health sciences, and more. Join innovative faculty and programs committed to empowering students, promoting health equity, and transforming regional and global communities.

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FAQs

The BSIHS designation is assigned to students who are interested in the nursing program but have not yet completed all the prerequisites or been formally accepted into the nursing major. Here’s why:​

  • Prerequisites and Secondary Application: The nursing program has specific prerequisites that students must complete before applying. These prerequisites ensure that you have the foundational knowledge needed for success in nursing. Additionally, there is a secondary application process to be considered for the nursing program.​
  • BSIHS Ensures Smooth Progression: While you work on completing the prerequisites and applying to the nursing program, the BSIHS designation ensures that you can progress smoothly. It allows you to take courses that align with nursing requirements without any issues.​
  • Formal Acceptance: Once you successfully complete the prerequisites and are accepted into the nursing program, your major will officially change to Nursing. Until then, the BSIHS designation serves as a placeholder, indicating your interest in nursing.​

Remember, if you’re interested in nursing, focus on completing the prerequisites, submitting a strong application, and awaiting formal acceptance. Once accepted, you’ll proudly be an official nursing major! 

The BSIHS designation is assigned to students who are interested in the MLS program but have not yet completed all the prerequisites or been formally accepted into the nursing major. Here’s why:​

  • Prerequisites and Secondary Application: The MLS program has specific prerequisites that students must complete before applying. These prerequisites ensure that you have the foundational knowledge needed for success in medial laboratory sciences. Additionally, there is a secondary application process to be considered for the MLS program.​
  • BSIHS Ensures Smooth Progression: While you work on completing the prerequisites and applying to the MLS program, the BSIHS designation ensures that you can progress smoothly. It allows you to take courses that align with MLS requirements without any issues.​
  • Formal Acceptance: Once you successfully complete the prerequisites and are accepted into the MLS program, your major will officially change to Medical Laboratory Science. Until then, the BSIHS designation serves as a placeholder, indicating your interest in MLS.  

Remember, if you’re interested in MLS, focus on completing the prerequisites, submitting a strong application, and awaiting formal acceptance. Once accepted, you’ll proudly be an official MLS major! 

The BSIHS designation is assigned to students who are interested in the COMD program  but have not yet completed all the prerequisites or been formally accepted into the COMD major. Here’s why:​

  • Prerequisites and Secondary Application: The COMD program has specific prerequisites that students must complete before applying. These prerequisites ensure that you have the foundational knowledge needed for success in COMD. Additionally, there is a secondary application process to be considered for the COMD program.​
  • BSIHS Ensures Smooth Progression: While you work on completing the prerequisites and applying to the COMD program, the BSIHS designation ensures that you can progress smoothly. It allows you to take courses that align with COMD requirements without any issues.​
  • Formal Acceptance: Once you successfully complete the prerequisites and are accepted into the COMD program, your major will officially change to Communication Sciences and Disorders . Until then, the BSIHS designation serves as a placeholder, indicating your interest in COMD.​

Remember, if you’re interested in nursing, focus on completing the prerequisites, submitting a strong application, and awaiting formal acceptance. Once accepted, you’ll proudly be an official COMD major! 

Yes, you can! Behind the scenes, you will be placed in the BSIHS program until you complete the required prerequisites, apply, and are admitted to the program. Once admitted, a change of major will be submitted for the desired clinical program you have been accepted into.

Yes, the Professional Studies Concentration in the Integrated Health Sciences program allows you the flexibility to complete most if not all the pre-requisite courses for medical school. You will need to review the admission requirements for the schools/programs to which you are applying to know which courses to take.  

To ensure that you take the correct courses for your concentration in the Integrated Health Sciences (IHS) program , follow these steps:  

  1. Degree Roadmap: Obtain the official degree roadmap for your specific IHS concentration. This roadmap outlines the recommended sequence of courses, including prerequisites and core requirements.​
  2. Sequential Order: Pay close attention to the order in which courses are listed on the roadmap. Taking courses in the recommended sequence is crucial for several reasons:​
  • Prerequisites: Some courses serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses. Completing prerequisites ensures that you have the foundational knowledge needed for higher-level classes.​
  • Timely Completion: Following the roadmap helps you graduate on time. Missing prerequisites can delay your progress.​
  • Secondary Programs: If you plan to apply to nursing, MLS, or COMD, fulfilling specific prerequisites is essential. The roadmap guides you toward meeting these requirements.​
  1. Advising: Consult with your academic advisor regularly. They can clarify any doubts, provide personalized guidance, and ensure you’re on track. You may also meet with the IHS program specialist for more customized guidance towards your clinical profession. ​

Remember, the roadmap is your GPS. By following it diligently, you’ll navigate your IHS concentration successfully and be well-prepared for your future career! 

IHS students who want to register for more than maximum allowable hours in a semester must submit a completed Over Hour Petition Form with supporting documentation and get approval by the Department (from the Chair or Designee) and the College (from the Dean or Designee) before the form is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for processing. Follow these steps:​

  1. Complete the  Over Hour Petition Form - Your plan of action must be included in the justification portion of the form to explain how you will handle the overload​
  2. Log in to  myUTRGV and obtain copy of your most recent Degree Works or Transcripts that reflect your current GPA and course progress​
  1. Submit your completed form and documents to BSIHS@UTRGV.EDU
Credit Hours

Term/ Semester                                Maximum hours allowed without approval

Fall/ Spring                                       18 Hours

May                                                    4 Hours

Summer                                              6 Hours

  • For general questions or information about BSIHS, visit our website. If your question is not answered, contact us.​
  • Walk-ins are welcome however please note at times we are away from our desk on official university business. It is best to schedule an appointment with the program specialist. ​
  • Current students may schedule an appointment with the IHS program specialist either in-person or virtually. 

No, you simply need to declare BSIHS as your major and select the concentration that fits within your career goals.

Yes! You can select nursing, social work or any major, just know that behind the scenes we will put you in the BSIHS program until you complete the required prerequisites, apply and are admitted to the program.  Once admitted we will make a change of major to the clinical professions program for which you are selected. 

Yes, the Professional Services Concentration allows you the flexibility to take most, if not all the pre-requisites for medical school, but you need to review the admissions requirements for the schools/programs to which you are applying.

Yes, but you really don’t need to switch as we don’t want you to lose any time to graduation. e.g., If you are in the Clinical Services Concentration trying to get into nursing and change your mind, you can stay in that concentration and finish your degree.

It depends on what you declare as your new major. All of the General Education Core classes will count towards your new major within the College of Health Professions and some of the other courses may count, it just really depends.

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Phone: 956-665-2291
Email: cohpinfo@utrgv.edu

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Phone: 956-882-5000

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