TAMUK Receives Approval to Establish College of Nursing and Health Professions
Texas A&M University System
KINGSVILLE, TEXAS (News Release) - With recent approval from the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas A&M University-Kingsville has taken a major step forward in its efforts to advance allied healthcare access in rural South Texas with the creation of the new College of Nursing and Health Professions (CONHP).
In addition to the approval of the name and organizational structure — which is effective on Sept. 1 2026 — the CONHP has received the approval from the THECB for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) approval for an RN-BSN program with the BSN option pending approval from the Texas Board of Nursing.
“Expansion in the allied healthcare space will provide the opportunity for students in South Texas to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to meet the healthcare demands of their communities close to home,” said TAMUK Inaugural Director of Rural Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. Denise Neill, “Students who might not choose to seek a career in a health-related field if they had to go to a larger city, will have the opportunity to stay home and still obtain an education.”
“Rural healthcare is complex,” Neill added. “Distance to providers can mean that injuries and illness are not treated in a timely manner, which contributes to poorer outcomes. Exposing providers to the needs and benefits can influence these providers in training to locate in our areas.”
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is also approved by the Board of Regents but is under review at THECB and will be submitted to SACSCOC later this summer.
The CONHP is currently accepting applications for the RN-BSN program for Fall 2026 and are taking interest applications for the MSN and pre-licensure BSN which includes students who have an LVN license.
The new college will house the new undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing as well as other health profession degrees in the current Department of Clinical Health Sciences, including Communications Science and Disorders, Social Work, Nutrition, and Dietetics.
Establishment of the new CONHP is the university’s latest move into the allied healthcare space. The TAMU College of Medicine recently announced the launch of its Rural Campus–Kingsville to help inspire the next generation of rural medicine providers and — along with the College of Pharmacy — has established the Regional Rural Med Camp, a two-day program designed specifically for South Texas students ages 14- to 18-years old interested in career paths in healthcare.
Opportunities being created through these moves help ensure Rural South Texas can have easy access to healthcare as the industry continues to rapidly grow to keep up with demands.
“Healthcare and nursing professions remain among the fastest-growing occupational fields in the nation,” Dr. James Palmer, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs said. “Current U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections indicate that healthcare occupations will continue to outpace average job growth through 2034, driven by increasing healthcare demands, an aging population, and workforce shortages. Texas continues to demand nurses and allied health professionals, reinforcing the critical need for educational pathways that prepare students for healthcare careers. In fact, by 20233, nursing employment in Texas is projected to grow by 6%, outpacing the average for all occupations.”
