Relating to the creation of the Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Contracts

• Articulation Agreements (MOUs): Participating universities must execute or amend agreements with Public Junior Colleges. These contracts must explicitly guarantee acceptance of "Field of Study" curricula without credit loss.
• Clinical Affiliation Agreements: You must renegotiate agreements with hospitals and clinics to secure specific "pipeline" slots. The statute allows you to cap enrollment based on "availability of clinical placements," so your third-party contracts now directly dictate your admissions liability.

Hiring/Training

• Admissions Staff: Must be retrained to identify "Pipeline" applicants. These students have a statutory right to automatic admission if criteria are met; they cannot be rejected based on subjective "holistic review."
• Academic Advisors: Must be trained on rigid degree mapping to ensure transfer students can mathematically complete their baccalaureate degree in two years or less.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• New Annual Report: Compliance teams must aggregate and validate the following data for the THECB:
• 1. Zero-Loss Verification: Count of students transferring without losing credits.
• 2. Speed Metrics: Count of students completing degrees in <2 years.
• 3. Financial Allocation: Accounting of resources (scholarships, faculty time) spent on the pipeline.
• 4. Capacity Documentation: If you deny admission, you must have a paper trail proving you reached capacity (student-to-faculty ratios or clinical site limits).

Fees & Costs

• Budget Impact: No new state fees are imposed, but institutions must absorb the administrative cost of curriculum re-mapping and specialized advising.
• Revenue Risk: "Zero credit loss" mandates may reduce tuition revenue derived from requiring transfer students to retake similar lower-division courses.