Texas Mental Health
Profession Pipeline Program
About
The Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program, established during the 89th legislative session by Senate Bill 1401, is designed to help address the state’s shortage of mental health professionals by developing structured transfer pathways from public junior colleges to four-year institutions and graduate-level programs in mental health professions that require licensure.
Note: Administrative rules for the program will be proposed at the July quarterly board meeting. If you are interested in participating in the program once it is approved, please fill out the following form:
Eligibility
General academic teaching institutions or private or independent institutions of higher education that offer baccalaureate degree programs and postbaccalaureate degree and certificate programs are eligible to participate in the program with a public junior college partner.
Professional programs associated with the program include:
- A psychologist
- A licensed professional counselor
- An advanced practice registered nurse who holds a nationally recognized board certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing
- A licensed master social worker or a licensed clinical social worker
- A licensed specialist in school psychology
Program Details
The program supports partnerships between public junior colleges and universities. Participating institutions create guided pathways that help students:
- Complete a related Texas Direct degree at a community college within two years
- Transfer to a university without losing credits and complete a bachelor’s degree within two years
- Be admitted into a related graduate program that leads to a license in a mental health profession if admission criteria are met
More program information will be made available after July.