The Global Activities Scholars Program (GASP) is a unique opportunity for students interested in working with individuals, communities, and organizations in a global context as part of their On-Campus MSW program. Up to twelve incoming students will be selected each year to complete a global field placement during the spring/summer term (May - August). The purpose of the program is to provide students committed to global social work practice an opportunity to live in a foreign country while completing a part of their field placement requirement.
Applicants must select the Global Social Work pathway as their primary pathway or the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse pathway as their primary pathway with the Global Social Work pathway as their secondary pathway. It is recommended that students interested in pursuing clinical licensure upon graduation select the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse as their primary pathway. However, please note that slots for these students are very limited. Generally, the GASP program is a better fit for students interested in macro social work given the typical role of social workers in many other countries and the students’ limited time to learn the norms of interpersonal practice work abroad. Locations appropriate for Interpersonal Practice students include Australia, Hong Kong, International Rescue Committee, Singapore, and potentially Norway.
Due to course and field requirements for GASP, dual degree MSW/MPH students are not eligible to participate in this program.
Awards are based primarily on previous academic work, recommendations, human services employment experience, previous global experience, engagement in global issues, the applicant's written supplementary statement, and scholarship application materials.
**A one-time award of $7,200 is given for costs associated with the national or global field placement
* = Requires Spanish fluency
** = Cantonese or Mandarin language skills are highly preferred
Note: Field placement locations are subject to change. Applicants may indicate site preferences on their application, but ultimately the Office of Global Activities and the Office of Field Education make the final decision about placement sites based upon fit and availability during the student’s first semester in the program.
The Global Activities Scholars Program includes all MSW requirements and an intensive global summer field placement.
Each Global Activities Scholar must:
Completing a global field placement is contingent on maintaining good academic standing before departure. Failure to remain in good academic standing may result in a student completing their final term of Field Instruction locally instead of abroad.
If you have questions please contact the Office of Global Activities at (734) 936-1964 or [email protected].
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106