Clinical Scholars Program

Adolescent/Child Mental and Behavioral Health

The University of Michigan School of Social Work is pleased to announce the Clinical Scholars Program. Mental health conditions are among the top five chronic illnesses in the United States. This program aims to address disparities in behavioral health outcomes specifically for racial and ethnic minority youth, which include high incidents of involvement with the juvenile justice system, high rates of school dropout, high levels of suicidal behavior, and economic hardships.

The Clinical Scholars Program addresses a critical need for more mental and behavioral health clinicians. Clinical Scholars will be uniquely prepared for positions in mental health and behavioral health settings, hospitals, health departments, health agencies, schools, or nonprofit agencies.

Program Funding

Each Clinical Scholar will receive a *$20,000 stipend ($10,000/year) for field/internship support. Approximately 8-10 scholarships will be awarded to incoming MSW students each year.

Upon completion, Clinical Scholars are expected to seek employment in mental and behavioral health settings that primarily serve racial and ethnic minority children and adolescents who are living with mental and/or behavioral health problems in underserved, urban areas.

*Funding provided by a generous grant from the 2012 Prevention and Public Health Funds (PPHF-2012) Health Resources & Services Administration.

Specialized Courses and Training

Clinical Scholars must concentrate in Interpersonal Practice with a focus on Mental Health within the 16-month program. Scholars complete the following specialized coursework:

  • Clinical skills development
  • Integrative seminars
  • Substance abuse practice with racial and ethnic minority youth and families
  • Mini-courses focusing on:
    1. Strengthening engagement and retention skills in work with high need youth
    2. Specialized clinical skills in working with racial and ethnic minority youth who attempt suicide
    3. Evidence-based family interventions in work with racial and ethnic minority families

Clinical Scholars also participate in the interdisciplinary psychotherapy training clinic in evidence-based practice program offered at the U-M Health System Department of Psychiatry.

Special Field Placement Opportunities

Each Clinical Scholar will complete a field placement in a mental or behavioral health agency in Detroit or a surrounding community that serves racial and ethnic minority children and adolescents living with health and behavioral health problems.

Eligibility Criteria

Each Clinical Scholar must:

  • Enroll as a full-time MSW student in the 16-month curriculum
  • Select the interpersonal practice method concentration
  • Choose the mental health practice area with a focus on clinical social work practice with ethnic and racial minority children and adolescents
  • Upon completion, work with racial and ethnic minority youth in a mental or behavioral health setting.

Application

  • Application deadlines: December 1, 2012 (early application), February 1, 2013 (priority), March 1, 2013. Selection of applicants will be made from all dates with priority given to those applicants that meet the December and February deadlines.
  • The application for fall 2014 applicants will be available in September 2013 with the fall 2014 MSW online application.

For more information about the Clinical Scholars Program contact the Office of Student Services at 734-936-0961 or ssw.msw.info@umich.edu.