During the Playbook Project, many stakeholders highlighted issues with the transition from graduation to licensure. When new graduates apply for licensure with the Behavioral Health and Human Services board, the Board conducts a transcript review to ensure specific courses, currently outlined in statute, have been completed. Stakeholders identified this process as a source of delays for individuals eager to enter the workforce. The Playbook recommendations included a consideration for policymakers to modify statutory requirements related to specific courses for graduates from degree programs that have received a national accreditation. HB 1520 is focused on this topic. This bill will be discussed in the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday, February 5.
When people apply for a BHHS license, they are required to indicate the degree that qualifies them for licensure and the associated institution (college, university, school, etc.).
How many BHHS applicants report having their degree from an Indiana institution?
The Bowen Center partnered with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to explore this question. A review of degrees and institutions reported on BHHS applications received in 2023 and 2024 identified that more than half of applicants reported completing their degree in Indiana. The top six most frequently reported Indiana institutions on BHHS applications were Indiana University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Purdue University, Ball State University, University of Indianapolis, and the Indiana Christian Theological Seminary.
What types of national accreditations do degree programs at Indiana degrees programs have?
The Bowen Center reviewed publicly available information from national accrediting bodies to answer this question. We investigated the Indiana degree programs reported to be accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and American Psychological Association (APA). While there may be other national accreditation bodies, there are the most frequently cited behavioral health specific ones.
You can also read or download the above in PDF form here: