Our Mission and Vision
Mission: Administer exemplary educational programs driven by continuous quality improvement to deliver an exceptionally prepared healthcare workforce grounded in evidence-based care and competent, interprofessional practice.
Vision: Be the leader in developing a diverse workforce that will transform healthcare through science, scholarship and innovation.
Our Programs
As anesthesia specialists, CRNAs provide care to patients before, during and after surgical, obstetrical and diagnostic procedures. Baylor College of Medicine is ranked fifth in the nation for nurse anesthesia programs by U.S. News & World Report. For RNs with a BSN degree or higher, the curriculum is 36 months in length. Master’s prepared CRNAs who are granted advanced standing can complete the curriculum in 24 months, most of it online with limited on-campus time required.
PAs are important members of the care team in the full range of healthcare settings. Baylor College of Medicine is ranked first in Texas and sixth in the nation for physician assistant programs by U.S. News & World Report. Our students have consistently outperformed the national mean score and first-time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam since 1973. Our location in the heart of the world’s largest medical center affords the opportunity for students to train in a mix of public and private institutions and community-based facilities with rich exposure to patients and families from many cultures and ethnic groups.
Orthotists and prosthetists are members of the rehabilitation team and are instrumental in assessing mobility challenges and providing solutions. This process often includes the hands-on creation and fitting of a specialized prosthesis or orthosis to support or replace the portion of the body that has been compromised. Our program is the first in the country with an integrated residency. With over 90 clinical training sites, the various training opportunities and patient populations our students have access to allow a breadth of experience that is unique to Baylor.
Genetic counselors provide risk assessment, education and support to individuals and families at risk of or diagnosed with a variety of inherited conditions. As part of the healthcare team, genetic counselors interpret genetic testing results, provide supportive counseling and serve as patient advocates. Baylor College of Medicine’s combined track record in exceptional training programs for health professionals and in genetics clinical care and research uniquely position our program to offer students experiential learning opportunities not available at other genetic counseling training programs.
Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental health conditions across diverse healthcare settings. Baylor College of Medicine trains the next generation of scientist-practitioners who will advance research and evidence-based practice in clinical psychology. Designed to be completed in five years, the program benefits from a strong foundation of clinical and translational faculty investigators, as well as collaborative partnerships with other Texas Medical Center institutions and community organizations.
Successful Completion to Degrees
- Successful completion of the Physician Assistant Program leads to a Master of Science degree.
- Successful completion of the Nurse Anesthesia Program leads to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
- Successful completion of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program leads to a Master of Science degree.
- Successful completion of the Genetic Counseling Program leads to a Master of Science degree.
- Successful completion of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program leads to a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
- Graduates from all programs are eligible for national certification and state licensure.
Annual Report
Our annual report highlights our programs, including groundbreaking research, significant accomplishments and impactful engagements.
News and Events
Stay informed on happenings within the School of Health Professions by visiting the News and Events page.
Strategic Plan
Become informed on our strategic plan which is a meticulously crafted roadmap that details our school's intended journey over the next five years. This plan is a testament to our shared aspirations and outlines what we believe is a compelling vision for the growth and evolution of our school.
Message from the Interim Dean
It is my great honor to welcome you to the School of Health Professions at Baylor College of Medicine, a core school within one of the nation’s leading academic health science institutions. You are joining a vibrant community deeply committed to advancing health through excellence in education, research and clinical care.
As we embark on this exciting time at Baylor College of Medicine, it is also a pleasure to warmly welcome Dr. Jakub Tolar as our new president. We are delighted to begin this new chapter under his leadership and anticipate a future of continued excellence and growth for our institution and community.
At Baylor, you won't just learn about healthcare; you will live it, shape it and lead it. Our school is home to six innovative training programs — the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program – Nurse Anesthesia, Genetic Counseling, Orthotics and Prosthetics, Physician Assistant, Clinical Psychology, and Cardiovascular Perfusion — each designed to integrate rigorous didactic education with immersive clinical experience and research engagement.
Our School of Health Professions plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of highly skilled, compassionate, community-engaged and collaborative healthcare professionals. Our programs are grounded in a steadfast dedication to improving patient outcomes and advancing health equity through interprofessional collaboration and innovation, throughout Houston, the state of Texas, the United States and around the world.
Situated in the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical complex, the school offers an unparalleled learning environment. This winter, the school will move to the Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, a new 11-floor, 503,000-square-foot medical education building at Baylor College of Medicine. This game-changing complex will provide our students with a state-of-the-art educational setting while fostering opportunities for collaboration and scholarship across all of Baylor’s health professions.
At Baylor we embody these five core values: respect, integrity, innovation, teamwork and excellence. These pillars are the foundation upon which every SHP graduate is built, and ground our approach to education, clinical care, research and community engagement.
Our world-class faculty and staff are united by one common goal: to support you. From your first day of orientation to your graduation, we are in your corner. Our curriculum, services and resources — supported by dedicated leaders — are designed to help you thrive here and beyond.
Our mission, vision and commitment empower us to rise to the toughest challenges and achieve our greatest goals. As we continue to advance the field of health professions education, we do so together — as one school, one community, one Baylor family.
Thank you for considering joining this extraordinary community. I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
With warm regards,
Eric Storch, Ph.D.
Interim Dean
Professor and McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair
Support Us
We prepare health professionals to be collaborative members of the healthcare team who are dedicated to providing comprehensive and patient-focused care. Support our school and programs to help us continue our mission and work toward achieving our vision.