Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pathways to Military Behavioral Health Careers program has expanded to better serve the diverse interests and career goals of behavioral health providers who want to support military-connected populations.
Recognizing the need for more accessible and specialized training opportunities, we’ve developed new offerings that help professionals explore the full spectrum of behavioral health careers serving veterans, military families, and those impacted by military life—whether through civilian, federal, or active-duty roles.
Exploring Active Duty Careers – Summer (Hosted in person)
Exploring Other Careers in Service – Course Date: November 18, 2025 (Hosted online – one day) – Registration Opens: August 14. Click here to learn more!
Exploring Civilian Careers in Service – Course Date: January 22, 2026 (Hosted online – one day) – Registration Opens: November 19. Click here to learn more!
Whether you're early in your career, looking to transition into military behavioral health, or seeking ways to expand your impact in mission-driven settings, Pathways provides tailored resources and events to help guide your journey.
All Pathways offerings are designed to help behavioral health providers learn about careers that support military and veteran populations—but each program has a unique focus:
The Summer Institute: Exploring Active Duty Careers
Format: Summer – In Person
This immersive three-day program is designed for behavioral health students who are seriously considering a career as an active-duty military provider in the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The Summer Institute offers a deeper understanding of military culture, challenges and opportunities while serving as a behavioral health officer, requirements to join, and resources to navigate your journey.
Participation requires completion of an application, acceptance into the program, and meeting basic military eligibility requirements.
For detailed eligibility criteria, please refer to the Uniformed Officer Behavioral Health Resource Hub
This program is intended for:
Psychology doctoral students (clinical or counseling) who will be applying to internships in 2026 or later. Note: This course is not appropriate for students beginning a military internship in Fall 2026.
MSW students focused on clinical social work, currently in their 1st or 2nd year of training.
Fall Institute: Exploring Other Careers in Service
Course Date: November 18, 2025 – Online
This new online offering explores other uniformed roles for behavioral health providers interested in serving military-connected populations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the mission and opportunities offered through a career in the US Public Health Service, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. Registration is required, but no formal application is necessary.
This program is intended for career fields that are eligible for uniform service:
Psychology doctoral students (clinical or counseling) who will be applying to internships in 2026 or later. Note: This course is not appropriate for students beginning a military internship in Fall 2026.
MSW students focused on clinical social work, currently in their 1st or 2nd year of training.
For detailed eligibility information, please refer to the Uniformed Officer Behavioral Health Resource Hub
Winter Institute: Exploring Civilian Careers in Service
Course Date: January 22, 2026 - Online
This new online offering explores civilian roles for behavioral health providers interested in serving military-connected populations, both active duty and veterans. This is an opportunity to learn more about the mission and opportunities offered through a career in the VA, as well as different career options and clinical settings offered in Department of Defense (DoD). Registration is required, but no formal application is necessary.
This program highlights non–active duty behavioral health career paths within:
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) positions
Civil Service (GS) and Nonappriorated Funds (NAF) positions
Embedded provider positions
This program is intended for individuals interested in supporting service members and veterans in civilian roles or non-uniform service roles. Participants may include:
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)
Clinical Psychologists
Graduate-level clinicians nearing licensure
Yes. Participants are welcome to apply to any Pathways training event that aligns with their career interests and goals. However, please note that both the active duty (Summer) and other service careers training events (Fall) are limited to social work and psychology because only those career fields are eligible to become uniformed service providers.
Yes. If you are not accepted to the Summer Institute—or if you are accepted but unable to attend—you are welcome to reapply for a future session or explore one of our other offerings, depending on your eligibility and interests.
While exact schedules vary by session, general hours are:
Exploring Civilian Careers in Service (Winter): Participants must be available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET for a one-day, online session. The day includes a one-hour lunch break and several 15-minute breaks.
Exploring Active Duty Careers (Summer): Participants must be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET for three consecutive days, in person. Each day includes a one-hour lunch and multiple 15-minute breaks.
Exploring Other Careers in Service (Fall): Participants must be available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET for a one-day, online session. The day includes a one-hour lunch and several 15-minute breaks.
No. We do not provide continuing education credits, certificates of completion, or letters of recommendation for participation in any of the training events.
Each event is typically offered once a year.
Exploring Civilian Careers in Service – Online training in January.
Exploring Active Duty Careers – In-person training in Bethesda, Maryland at the start of Summer.
Exploring Other Careers in Service – Online training in November
Each training event has its own application window. Applicants must apply or register during the designated period for their event of interest.
Individuals apply to attend the Summer Institute focused on Active Duty Careers will receive email notifications within three to four weeks after the application deadline. The other programs (i.e., Fall and Winter Institute) only require registration to attend. You will receive notification that you are registered for the training event after you submit your registration.