Fast Track Programs

Complete in six years — one year faster than traditional paths

• Years 1-3: B.S. in Biology at HSU
• Years 4-6: DPT Program at HSU

Requirements:

• Student applies and is admitted to the HSU undergraduate Biology program with less than 30 hours of completed transfer hours
• Student satisfies the following requirements for acceptance into the HSU-PT Program:
  • Meets entry criteria established by HSU as a Biology major
  • Completes all prerequisite courses for the HSU-PT Program at HSU
  • Applies to the HSU-PT Program via the PTCAS and successfully completes application requirements prior to the interview with the faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy at HSU during the student’s sophomore/junior year.
• Following successful completion of the required undergraduate curriculum at HSU, the student will enroll in the Department of Physical Therapy at HSU, contingent upon the following:
  • Student must have a “C” or better in all required prerequisite courses
  • Student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above for all courses
  • Student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or above for all Science/Statistic prerequisite courses
  • Student must receive a positive recommendation of “admit” or “priority admit” by the HSU Physical Therapy Admissions Committee
  • Student must have a positive record of ethical behavior during enrollment at HSU
• Following successful completion of the early admissions curriculum from HSU and the first semester of the Physical Therapy curriculum from HSU, the student will be granted a BS or BA degree in Biology from HSU if the student has completed all graduation requirements for the appropriate HSU catalog.

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Complete in five years — one year faster than traditional paths

• Years 1-3: Exercise Science or Pre-Athletic Training at HSU
• Years 4-5: M.A.T. Online Program at HSU

Program Features:

• Combines online coursework with six one-week on-campus intensives
• Flexibility to continue working through the first year
• More than $1,500 in electronic textbooks at no cost
• Clinical placement assistance for second-year experiences

Requirements:

• Students complete most Exercise Science degree requirements, the Foundational Curriculum, and specific prerequisites before entering the M.A.T. program.
• NO GRE required
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum 50 hours of observation with a licensed/certified athletic trainer
• Completed ATCAS application
• Personal interview (in-person or video conference)

Find additional information here.

Complete in seven years — one year faster than traditional paths

• Years 1-3: B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at HSU
• Years 4-7: PharmD at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Requirements:

• Students successfully completing the degree program will graduate with a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from HSU and either a Pharm.D. or Pharm.D./MBA from TTUHSC-SOP
• Students from HSU who meet the requirements and deadlines of this agreement will be awarded early admission at TTUHSC-SOP
• Students take their first three years of coursework at HSU, with their remaining four years at TTUHSC-SOP
• Students entering the Pharm.D. program under this agreement will have their PCAT waived
• Students must begin this program as a freshman and program acceptance criteria includes:
  • Texas resident
  • Minimum Math ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 550 and competency in trigonometry
  • Acceptable pre-entry interview
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • GPA of 3.6 during the first semester of enrollment at HSU
  • Maintain overall GPA of 3.7 at HSU
• To matriculate into pharmacy school, you must score competitively on the Pharmacy College Admission Test. The test has five major sections:
  • Writing (Conventions of Language and Problem Solving)
  • Biological Processes (General Biology, Microbiology, and Human Anatomy & Physiology)
  • Chemical Processes (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Basic Biochemistry)
  • Critical Reading (Comprehension, Analysis, and Evaluation)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (Basic Math, Algebra, Probability & Statistics, Precalculus, and Calculus)
• Your performance on PCAT is reported as your percentage of rank, which indicates your performance relative to the current PCAT norm group. Most Texas pharmacy schools prefer a PCAT score of 50 or higher, but a competitive score for Texas pharmacy schools is typically above 70. You can find more information about the PCAT, including a yearly PCAT guide, on the PCAT webpage.
• In addition to the prerequisite courses and competitive PCAT score, successful applicants should gain experience by shadowing pharmacists or volunteering at a health center or hospital. Additionally, it is recommended that pre-pharmacy students gain experience in a pharmacy setting as clerks or pharmacy technicians.

Find additional information here.

Step 1: Schedule a meeting with your Academic Counselor to discuss which program best fits your career goals and academic strengths.

Step 2: Review the entrance requirements for your chosen program, map out your course sequence, and register for the classes that keep you on track — including any prerequisites you’ll need to meet early.

Step 3: Submit your program application and any required materials (test scores, observation hours, recommendation letters, etc.) by the deadline, then stay connected with your advisor to make sure you’re meeting milestones along the way.

Can I complete a master’s degree in a calendar year in Athletic Training?

No — the Master of Athletic Training has specific clinical and on-campus requirements that extend beyond a single calendar year. Even with the accelerated format, the M.A.T. program takes two years to complete after your undergraduate coursework.

Can I complete a master’s degree in a calendar year?

Yes! Our master’s degree programs listed above can be completed in as little as one calendar year after completion of your bachelor’s degree. This timeline is possible if you take a full course load and plan your senior-year undergraduate credits accordingly.

Can I change my mind after starting a fast-track program?

Yes, but it’s important to discuss the decision with your Academic Counselor as soon as possible. Switching out of an accelerated program could change your graduation timeline, affect financial aid, and require additional coursework.

Can I work full-time while in the graduate program?

It depends on your program and workload. Some programs — such as the M.B.A. or M.S. in Criminal Justice — are designed for working professionals and offer flexible online formats. Others, like the DPT or M.A.T., have intensive academic and clinical schedules that may limit your ability to work.

What happens if I don’t meet the entrance requirements?

If you don’t meet the entrance requirements for your chosen accelerated program, you can still pursue your undergraduate degree on a traditional timeline. In many cases, you may reapply to the graduate program later through the standard admissions process once you’ve met the necessary prerequisites or GPA. Your Academic Counselor can help you identify any gaps and create a plan to become eligible in the future.