TTUHSC SOM was originally chartered in 1969 to train more physicians for the underserved populations of the West Texas region.

[2] The school offers the traditional four-year curriculum, as well as an accelerated three-year track, and joint degree programs with Texas Tech University.

[7][8] In 2019, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center announced it would no longer consider race in admissions.

Additionally, TTUHSC SOM was ranked #33 amongst medical schools for producing the most graduates practicing in rural areas.

Simulated clinical experiences also take place in an adjoining HSC building in the school's SimLife Center.

In addition to graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree, some students are able to enroll in joint-degree granting programs.

Medical students enrolled in the traditional four-year curriculum[13] participate in didactic coursework and elementary clinical work at the Lubbock campus for the first two years.

Clinical clerkships comprise the third and fourth years of medical school and are carried out at one of TTUHSC's campuses in Lubbock, Amarillo, or the Permian Basin.

[15] Concerning three year curriculum,[16] the SOM made news in 2010 when it announced an accelerated path to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.).

dual degree program is awarded by the TTUHSC SOM and the Texas Tech University School of Law.

The students work with researchers during the summers after their first and second years of medical school in order to identify a PhD mentor.

After completing the PhD dissertation, the students then finish the final third and fourth years of medical school.