New Leaders in African-Centered Social Work Scholars Program

The University of Michigan School of Social Work is pleased to offer the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work (NLACSW) Scholars Program for full-time MSW students. The NLACSW Scholars Program enhances practice preparation by engaging students in culturally-specific and affirmative curricular and training experiences for service with Black/African Americans.

The NLACSW program is an opportunity for incoming full-time on-campus and online MSW students who are genuinely committed to gaining skills and knowledge for culturally-responsive social work practice in and with Black/African American communities. This program is open to students in all pathways.

NLACSW Program Funding

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

Specialized Courses

Scholars are required to enroll in the following specialized courses:

• An Afrocentric Approach to Practice w/ African Amer/Black Indiv., Families & Communities
• Prevention and Intervention Strategies with Racial Microaggressions

Program Requirements

• Begin the MSW program in the fall term.
• Enroll as a full-time On-Campus 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 or a full-time Online MSW student.
• Select any pathway and complete all pathway requirements.
• Complete specified NLACSW required coursework.
• Agree to focus on addressing issues/topics that affect Black/African American populations within their accepted field placement.
• Participate in formal and informal extracurricular cohort activities and supportive cohort consultation monthly meetings.
• Commitment to delivering culturally responsive practice with Black/African American individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities as a professional.
• Due to course and field requirements, dual MSW/MPH students are not eligible to participate in this program.

Application

• All potential On-Campus MSW students interested in culturally-responsive social work practice in and with Black/African American communities are encouraged to apply.
• Application deadlines: December 1, 2026 (early application), February 1, 2027 (priority), March 1, 2027 (final). The final deadline has not been set and will be posted at a later date. Selection of applicants will be made from all dates with priority given to those 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 New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work 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 application and select the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work Program checkbox. The NLACSW application pages will be added to the end of your MSW application.
• Be sure to include your name and "NLACSW Program Statement" in the upper corner of your statement before you upload it to your application.

For more information on the New Leaders In African-Centered Social Work Program, contact Trina Shanks at [email protected].