Detroit Scholars Program

The Detroit Scholars Training Program is a comprehensive learning experience designed to equip emerging practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to flourish academically, professionally, and personally. The training program integrates culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, and real-world workforce preparation to ensure trainees are ready to contribute meaningfully to the Detroit-Wayne County community.

Detroit-Wayne County communities continue to face significant shortages in behavioral health providers, with many neighborhoods designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Building on a strong history of Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) supported behavioral health workforce development, the program maintains its long-standing commitment to expanding access to quality integrated healthcare in underserved communities. In response, the Detroit Scholars Training Program actively prepares a workforce capable of addressing these disparities and supporting individuals and families in accessing a full array of community-based integrated services that enable them to maximize their level of function and create opportunities for quality of life.

Detroit Scholars Program Funding

• $6,000 per term (4 terms for 16-month students / 3 terms for 12-month students)

Specialized Courses and Training

Detroit Scholars must begin the MSW program in the fall term and enroll in the full-time On-Campus or Online MSW student in the 16-month or 12-month (Advanced Standing, U-M Community Action and Social Change & SW, UM-Dearborn Human Services & SW, U-M Sociology & SW, MasterTrack MSW, or SW Essentials MSW) curriculum. Scholars complete the following specialized coursework:

• a specialized training and application course
• an interdisciplinary team-based clinical decision-making course
• advanced IP practice courses on engagement and interventions
• an integrative capstone seminar while in your field internship

The Detroit Scholars Program involves participating in intra and interprofessional training on Thursdays and students maintain this day as a field/training day throughout their time in the program. The timing will be determined by the DSP faculty and community stakeholders.

Special Field Placement Expectations

Each Detroit Scholar must be available and have access to reliable transportation to complete an in-person field placement in a mental or behavioral health agency in Detroit/Wayne County.  Scholars must complete background and urine screenings to be accepted by a provider within the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN network) that serves children, adolescents, transitional-age youth, adults, and their families living with health and behavioral health problems, as assigned by the lead DSP faculty. Students are not able to select their own placement. 

Program Requirements

Each Scholar must:

• Begin the MSW in the fall term.
• Enroll as a full-time on-campus or online MSW student in the 16-month or 12-month (Advanced Standing, U-M Community Action and Social Change & SW, UM-Dearborn Human Services & SW, U-M Sociology & SW, MasterTrack MSW, or SW Essentials MSW) curriculum.
• Participate in formal and informal extracurricular cohort activities and supportive cohort consultation monthly meetings.
• Be available on Thursdays from 9-5 while in the program for field and training.
• Select the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse pathway.
• Focus on social work practice with ethnic and racial minority children, adolescents, transitional age youth, adults, and their families.
• Be available to complete an in-person field placement in Detroit or a designated surrounding community.
• Have reliable transportation to access field placement site.
• Agree to work within underserved communities for two years upon completion of the program.
• Due to course and field requirements, dual MSW/MPH students are not eligible to participate in this program.

Application

• Application deadlines: December 1, 2026 (early application), February 1, 2027 (priority), March 1, 2027 (final). Selection of applicants will be made from all dates with priority given to applicants that meet the December and February deadlines.
• Deferred admits planning to enroll in fall 2027 must submit their special program application by November 1, 2026.
• Financial need will be considered in the review of special program applications.
• Your MSW application must be complete by the scholarship deadline.
• If you would like to apply for the Detroit Scholars Program, then please answer “yes” to the question, “Do you plan to apply to an SSW Special Program?” found on the Financial Assistance page of the MSW online application and select the Detroit Scholars Program checkbox. The Detroit Scholars Program application page will be added to the end of your MSW application.
• Be sure to include your name and “Detroit Scholars Program Statement” in the upper corner of your statement before you upload it to your application.
• Note that it will be more likely to be accepted into the Detroit Clinical Scholars Program if you are currently working within an organization that serves medically underserved in Detroit-Wayne County.

For more information about the Detroit Scholars Program, contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management at (734) 936-0961 or [email protected].