The clinical psychology MA program focuses on training students in the assessment and treatment of mental disorders through individual, family, and group therapies. This program differs in several ways from counseling programs, such as mental health counseling programs housed in schools of education. Our program is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model and thus involves training in theory, research design, statistics, and the application of evidence-based principles to the provision of psychological services.

Graduates of the UT Permian Basin counseling program will acquire knowledge in the areas of ethical, legal and professional issues in counseling, as well as social and cultural foundations, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships and skills, group work, appraisal (tests and measurements), research and program evaluation. Graduates will also obtain a strong understanding of diversity issues and be able to address the needs of a progressively growing diverse population.

The Social Work Program* at UT Permian Basin prepares students to promote human and social well-being. Social Work students receive training in a number of areas including interviewing, assessment, problem solving, crisis intervention, community outreach, case management, and client advocacy. 

*Master's program in Social Work tentatively scheduled for a launch in the Fall of 2024 contingent upon SW accreditation.

Scholarship Eligibility 

• Newly admitted students enrolling in graduate programs in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, clinical psychology, or social work are eligible. The scholarship will cover tuition and mandatory fees, not including books or incidentals, for a limited number of students. This scholarship program is competitive and renewable for up to 3 years. Funding is awarded through various federal, state, and institutional funds to qualifying students.  

Scholarship Criteria 

Initial award for new admits to the qualifying programs will be based on: 

• Undergraduate Grade Point Average 
• Holistic review of scholarship application essay by selection committee 
• Commitment to providing services in the Permian Basin upon graduation 
• Must be a resident of one of the following counties: Midland, Ector, Reeves, Pecos, Loving, Ward, Winkler, Culberson, Andrews, Martin, Gaines, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton, Crane, Terrell, Crockett, Yoakum, Eddy, Lea, or Chaves. Residency will be confirmed during the Admissions process.    

Renewal  

• Must be enrolled full-time in the clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, clinical psychology, or social work graduate programs: full-time enrollment includes nine credit hours in fall/spring or six credit hours in the summer 
• Maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average each semester and be in good standing in their respective program 
• Pass the required dispositional review(s);  
• Continue satisfactory academic progress towards degree completion with limited withdrawal/drops from classes;  
• Must maintain residency in one of the following counties: Midland, Ector, Reeves, Pecos, Loving, Ward, Winkler, Culberson, Andrews, Martin, Gaines, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton, Crane, Terrell, Crockett, Yoakum, Eddy, Lea, or Chaves. 

What specific graduate programs qualify for this scholarship? 

• The Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program 
• The Master of Arts in Counseling – School Counseling Program 
• The Master of Arts in Psychology with a Clinical Psychology Concentration 
• The Master in Social Work (available Fall 2024) 

Are there a limited number of scholarships? 

• Yes. While this program is expected to fund many students, not everyone in the qualifying programs will receive a scholarship. They are competitive and capped.   

What happens if I start in a qualifying program and change my mind? 

• Once you are no longer enrolled in the program or fail to meet the ongoing qualifications to keep the scholarship, your award will end, and you will be responsible for the remaining cost of completing the program.  

Are you required to have any specific undergraduate major to apply for a graduate program in counseling, clinical psychology, or social work? 

• No, a student can apply with a degree from any type of completed undergraduate program.  

Do I have to be accepted to the graduate program in order to apply for the scholarship? 

• Yes, so please apply to the degree program at least 10 business days before the scholarship deadline and by the program application deadline (if applicable). 

If I have a master’s degree in another field already, can I apply? 

• Yes, we’d love for you to decide to make an impact in the Permian Basin by becoming a licensed counselor.  

Are international students eligible to apply?  

• This scholarship requires the student to be a resident of Midland, Ector, Reeves, Pecos, Loving, Ward, Winkler, Culberson, Andrews, Martin, Gaines, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton, Crane, Terrell, Crockett, Yoakum, Eddy, Lea, or Chaves counties. International students are considered out of state residents, and as a result, are not eligible.   

How is residency defined? 

• During the admissions process you will be required to provide information that will determine your residency. The scholarship committee will use this information to confirm the required residency.  

Is the scholarship only available for students entering in the fall term? 

• Generally, yes. It is possible, if there are unused scholarship dollars available, that spring admits could be considered. Any spring scholarship application would be made available on this website by November 1.  

When are the deadlines for application to the program? 

• For the Fall 2023 cohort, the deadline is August 1 with decisions released by August 15. In future years, the deadline will be July 1.  

 Is there a minimum number of hours I need to be enrolled?  

• Yes, this scholarship program requires you to be enrolled full-time which is 9 hours in the fall or spring terms and 6 hours in the summer.  

Do I have to commit to working in the Permian Basin after graduation? 

• Yes! The Funding for these scholarships was established to increase the number of credentialed (licensed) mental health professionals to meet the growing needs within the Permian Basin.  You must commit to a minimum of 3 years working in the Permian Basin as a counselor, therapist, or clinical social worker and actively seek professional Texas Licensure. The three-year commitment can begin at graduation and includes supervised hours.   

Is there a demand for licensed counselors?  

• Yes! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for behavioral health counselors will grow by 22% by 2031, a much higher growth rate than the average for all occupations. Within the Permian Basin, the need is even more acute. There is a new Behavioral Health Hospital being built now and expected to open in early 2025. There will be a great need for counselors to staff the new hospital. 

What is the difference between the graduate programs in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, and Social Work? 

• All three programs lead to one of the licensure options to become a mental health professional who can provide counseling or mental health treatments. However, each program has different emphasis, requirements, and licensure processes. You should look at each program to determine the best match for you.  

What are the different licensures that would allow me to become a counselor or therapist? 

• The Psychology Graduate program will prepare you to apply for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) or psychological associate (LPA). The LPA allows you to conduct psychological assessments. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program will prepare you for the LPC. The School Counseling Program will lead to school counselor certification (SCS) Social Work can lead to a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). 

When will the Masters in Social Work Program be available? 

• The program will open Fall 2024.  

Is there support for the completion of my clinical hours?  

• Yes, there are a limited number of paid positions on campus to support the completion of clinical hours. Many students will pursue completion of their clinical hours at agencies in the local community. Some of them may provide financial support as well.  

Is this program available online? 

• While some classes may be delivered online, these are considered on-ground programs and will require students to come to campus for most of the classes.  

Is the scholarship available for on-campus and on-line programs? 

• No. The three qualifying programs are only available as on-campus programs although there may be some courses offered online. A student could not complete these programs solely online.  

There are two tracks in the Master of Arts program in Psychology, clinical and experimental. Are both concentrations eligible for the scholarship? 

• No, only the Master of Arts with a Clinical Psychology concentration is eligible as that track leads to licensure as a therapist or counselor (LPC or LPA).   

Where can I find the degree plans for the graduate programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or Social Work?  

• Degree plans can be found on the program pages:
  • Psychology
  • Counseling
  • Social Work

This guarantee is subject to change without notice based on the annual funding levels provided to the university by the federal and state education agencies.