Healthcare Education and Careers in Texas

Courses and Career Pathways in the Region

As Central Texas continues to grow, so does the demand for a strong, well-prepared healthcare workforce. The San Marcos and New Braunfels region, situated along the vital Interstate 35 corridor, has experienced rapid population growth, increased healthcare infrastructure, and a rising need for skilled professionals across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Meeting this demand requires education options that are accessible, flexible, and aligned with the realities of today’s healthcare workforce.

Healthcare education courses offered locally play a critical role in preparing individuals for meaningful careers while strengthening the health and economic well-being of the region. At the center of this effort is Texas State University Continuing Education, which serves as a key access point for healthcare training and professional development in San Marcos, New Braunfels, and surrounding communities.

The Healthcare Education Landscape 

San Marcos and New Braunfels sit at the crossroads of two major metropolitan areas—Austin and San Antonio—making the region both geographically and economically significant. The area is home to hospitals, outpatient centers, specialty clinics, rehabilitation facilities, and long-term care providers, all of which depend on a steady pipeline of trained healthcare professionals.

Like much of Texas, the region faces workforce challenges, including shortages in allied health roles, clinical support positions, and patient care occupations. Healthcare employers are increasingly seeking workers who possess job-ready skills, industry-recognized credentials, and the ability to adapt to evolving care environments. 

For many residents, traditional degree pathways may not be the fastest or most feasible option to enter or advance within the healthcare field. This is where locally accessible healthcare education courses, designed for adult and working learners, become essential.

Why Continuing Education Matters for Healthcare Careers

Continuing Education, or CE, plays a vital role in healthcare workforce development by offering practical, targeted learning opportunities that align directly with employer needs. These programs are especially valuable for:

• Career changers seeking entry into healthcare
• Current healthcare workers looking to upskill or advance
• Individuals reentering the workforce
• Students who want shorter, skills-focused training options

Unlike traditional academic pathways, CE courses often emphasize hands-on learning, accelerated timelines, and stackable credentials. This allows learners to gain relevant skills quickly while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

A Regional Access Point

As a trusted public university, Texas State University plays a central role in serving the educational needs of Central Texas. Through CE the university extends its mission beyond traditional degree programs to reach learners at different stages of their careers and lives.

CE serves as a regional hub for workforce-relevant training, offering programs designed to be accessible, flexible, and responsive to industry demand. For learners in the San Marcos–New Braunfels region, this means having access to university-backed healthcare education without having to leave their community.

By lowering barriers to education and emphasizing practical outcomes, CE helps learners move efficiently from training to employment.

Healthcare Education Courses Available Through CE

TXST CE offers a range of healthcare-related courses and programs designed to support entry-level training, professional advancement, and workforce readiness. These offerings include clinical and allied health training, compliance and safety education, patient care support roles, and professional development for healthcare administrators, provided through courses created by subject matter experts at TXST, along with industry-leading partners such as ed2go, MedCerts and PMI.

Courses are designed to meet the needs of both individuals and employers, focusing on skills that are immediately applicable in healthcare settings. For many learners, these programs also serve as stepping stones which provide credentials and experience that can lead to career growth or future academic pathways.

By aligning healthcare education with regional demand, CE ensures that learners are not only gaining new skills, but also positioning themselves for meaningful employment within their own communities. Keeping education and training local also helps retain talent in the community, supports economic mobility, and fosters a healthier region overall. Graduates of CE programs are more likely to live and work in the area, contributing to the long-term stability of the healthcare system in Central Texas.

Building the Future of Healthcare Education in Central Texas

As healthcare needs continue to evolve, accessible and high-quality education will remain essential. CE is helping build the future of healthcare in Central Texas by providing flexible, workforce-aligned courses that meet learners where they are.

CE offers a practical path forward. One that supports career growth, strengthens the healthcare workforce, and contributes to the well-being of the entire region and the state of Texas.