
Welcome to the School of Health Professions
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Prevention and Response
COVID-19 UpdatesFor over a century, the University of Texas Medical Branch has dedicated its efforts toward improving the health of society - in Texas and beyond. In addition to designing and implementing innovative ways to deliver instruction to students at distant locations, the school continuously explores opportunities to expand its program offerings and interprofessional learning.
We offer certifications, bachelor's, master's and doctoral allied health programs. In addition to classroom lectures, our programs offer clinical training opportunities in a variety of settings to ensure our students have exposure to a multitude of professional opportunities.
Our Programs Include
Diversity and Inclusion Policy
The University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Health Professions is committed to recruiting and admitting a diverse class of highly qualified students. This includes applicants of all ethnicities, races, cultures, ages, gender, sexual identities, religions and life experiences represented in the population of the State of Texas.
SHP Strategic Plan
Guided by our RISES initiative, the UTMB School of Health Professionals will focus on the following strategic priorities for the 2021–2026 period: Research Activity, Influence & Impact, Student Success & Preparedness, Experiences in Clinical Settings, and Strategic Capacity & Transformation.
For more information, please visit the SHP Strategic Plan webpage.
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Quick Links
Academic Calendar
Day | Month | Event |
---|---|---|
3 | March | Chair’s Council Meeting |
15 - 19 | March | Spring Break Holidays (Monday – Friday) Spring Break holiday dates may vary for students in clinical affiliation experiences from the published Spring Break dates. |
17 | March | Chair’s Council Meeting |
22 | March | Classes Resume |
24 | March | Faculty Assembly |
1 | April | Online Registration for Summer 2021 opens at 8:00 am for Returning Students |
5 | April | Last Day to Withdraw from a Course with a “W” – Spring 2021 |
View Full Calendar Last Updated: 21-FEB-2021
News

Department of Respiratory Care approved for Master of Science in Respiratory Care
PRESS RELEASE
January 14, 2021
UTMB Health, School of Health Professions
Department of Respiratory Care approved for Master of Science in Respiratory Care
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Department of Respiratory Care in the School of Health Professions has received approval from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) for a change in degree awarded from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master of Science degree in Respiratory Care. The last cohort to receive the BS Degree will graduate in August 2022. The first cohort to receive the MS Degree will be admitted into the program in September 2021 and graduate in August 2023.
This significant move forward will make the program one of only six entry-level graduate respiratory care programs in the nation. The Respiratory Care program at UTMB has been consecutively recognized for outstanding credentialing success since 2012. Our curriculum is designed to provide unique experiences in critical care, leadership, education, and research. Students receive hands-on experience in premier clinical affiliates of the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world.
Our student to faculty ratio encourages individualized attention with highly qualified, specialty credentialed faculty. In addition to spacious classrooms with current technology, you will receive training with state-of-the-art equipment in our new Health Education Center that includes a 77-bed simulation hospital with a 10-bed intensive care unit. Students have the unique opportunity to participate in innovative interprofessional health and science education through cutting-edge simulation which optimizes collaborative learning and improves health outcomes.
The curriculum is an intensive 94 credit hours over 2 years, that includes 30 credit hours of clinical experience. The final semester culminates the educational experience with a capstone project, a clinical internship, and an intensive board exam review. Upon graduation students are eligible for the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams and upon successful completion earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential which allows for licensure for practice.
For more information, visit https://shp.utmb.edu/RespiratoryCare/ or contact the Department of Respiratory Care at 409-772-5693 or shprespc@utmb.edu
Download: Press Release
Drs. Utsey and Ottenbacher Retire from the School of Health Professions


The School of Health Professions and Dean Brown are honored to announce that Drs. Carolyn Utsey, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Kenneth Ottenbacher, chair of the Division of Rehabilitation Sciences have decided to retire after over 30 and 25 years of exceptional contributions to UTMB.
We will surely miss their enthusiasm, kindness, caring attitude, and professionalism.
An interim Department Chair in Physical Therapy will be named prior to Dr. Utsey's retirement date of January 31 and a national search for a permanent successor will convene shortly afterwards.
Please visit the read more link for more details about Drs. Utsey and Ottenbacher's tenure at UTMB.
Read more: Faculty Retirements
Dept of Physical Therapy Announces New Hybrid DPT Program
The Department of Physical Therapy is excited to announce that they have been granted approval to add a new Hybrid DPT program to our Accredited programs by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Interviews for the inaugural class begin in December whereas the very first cohort will begin in August 2021.
For those interested in learning more about the program, visit the Physical Therapy Hybrid DPT web page, attend an Open House, or email your questions! Applications will be open from July-November every year for an annual August enrollment, alongside the Traditional DPT Program.
Read more: PT Department News
More SHP News
UTMB School of Health Professions
The mission of the School of Health Professions (SHP) is to provide and promote quality education, research, and service in an environment that fosters collaboration and mutual respect. The School of Health Professions envisions a school that provides quality education in the health professions and encourages innovation.
School of Health Professions
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-1028