Impact Behavioral Health Sciences Scholarship Program

• New and current students enrolled 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.

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

Are there a limited number of scholarships?

• Yes. Scholarship funding is limited, awards are capped, and highly competitive.
• Awards are based on available funding and program capacity.
• Eligible students are encouraged to apply, as funding availability can change throughout the year and qualified applicants may be considered for future openings.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee funding, but applying ensures students can be considered when scholarship opportunities become available.
• If not selected for an award upon semester of entry, new awards may become available as current recipients graduate, withdraw, or otherwise leave the program.

Initial award for Impact BH Scholarships will be based on:

• Must complete a scholarship application.
• Admittance into the UTPB Graduate School Counseling, Social Work, or Clinical Psychology programs.
• 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.

How will I be notified I qualify for the scholarship?

• Following admission to the UTPB Graduate School, students who meet all initial award criteria and for whom scholarship funding is available will be notified via email. Award notifications will summarize eligibility requirements, renewal stipulations, and provide instructions for accepting and applying scholarship funds to student accounts.
• Students admitted to the UTPB Graduate School who meet partial scholarship criteria will receive communication requesting verification of Permian Basin residency status. Students must follow the instructions provided to confirm residency and acknowledge award requirements and renewal stipulations. Upon confirmation, eligible students will receive additional instructions regarding scholarship acceptance and fund disbursement.
• Students who meet all scholarship eligibility requirements but for whom funding is not immediately available will be placed in a qualified applicant pool (waitlist). As scholarship openings occur, applications from the waitlist will be reviewed on a rolling basis and eligible students may be offered scholarship awards. Students do not need to reapply while their application remains active.

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.

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 your earliest convenience. Scholarship award decisions cannot be rendered until a student has been admitted to UTPB.

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

• Scholarship is available to students entering any fall, spring, or summer term. 

Renewal Requirements:

• Must maintain full-time enrollment in chosen program of study: full-time enrollment includes nine credit hours in fall/spring or six credit hours in the summer. Students entering 3rd year of study, and or practicum/clinical phases may drop down to 6 hours if they have satisfied all prior program course requirements. **Practicum and Master’s Thesis hours will only be covered by scholarship once. If a student fails to complete practicum and/or thesis course(s), subsequent re-enrollment will not be covered by scholarship funds.
• 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.

Do I need to reapply for the scholarship each semester?

• No, you do not need to reapply each semester. Your scholarship will be automatically renewed if you maintain eligibility. 

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.

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)

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).

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.

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).

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

When will the Masters in Social Work Program be available?

• The program will open Fall 2024.

Is this program available online?

• The Clinical Psychology and Counseling programs are primarily on-ground, although there may be some courses offered online.
• The Social Work program is a fully online program, with all courses being taught in online settings.
• Students seeking the Impact BHS scholarship may enroll in any of the three programs, but must live in a Permian Basin county while enrolled in their graduate program.

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

• YES, if you reside in a Permian Basin county while enrolled in the program. Counties included are: Midland, Ector, Reeves, Pecos, Loving, Ward, Winkler, Culberson, Andrews, Martin, Gaines, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton, Crane, Terrell, Crockett, Yoakum, Eddy, Lea, or Chaves.

Is there support for the completion of my clinical hours?

• Yes, there are a limited number of stipends available to support the completion of clinical hours. Many students will pursue completion of their clinical hours at agencies in the local community, some of which may also provide financial support.

Is the MSW Program Accredited by CSWE?

• Accreditation is an important process that ensures social work programs meet high standards for education and professional training set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A CSWE-accredited degree is often required for social work licensure and many job opportunities in the field.
• The UTPB Master of Social Work (MSW) program is currently working towards CSWE accreditation, a multi-step process that includes multiple reviews, site visits, and stages. Full accreditation is typically achieved in 3-5 years from the start of a program.
• The UTPB MSW program has now reached Pre-Candidacy Status with CSWE, and is on track to meet all required benchmarks for full retroactive accreditation for Fall 2025.
• If you have any questions about what this means for your education, licensing or career plan, feel free to reach out to the MSW program coordinator for more information.