Wayne State School of Social Work receives more than $1 million to support the next generation of Michigan’s behavioral health social workers

Wayne State University's School of Social work was awarded more than $1 million from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to support students seeking to obtain a master's degree in social work and who commit to working in behavioral health in the state upon graduation.

MDHHS provided a total of $5 million to 12 Michigan universities to increase the number of master's degree-level social workers in the behavioral health workforce throughout the state. The program provides one-time, $30,000 stipends to bachelor's level social workers who agree to enter a full-time advanced standing MSW program and provide at least two years of full-time employment in public sector behavioral health in Michigan.

"This program is another investment by the state to increase access to behavioral health care for Michigan families," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "We are committed to helping families access behavioral health care services when and where they need them".

Award amounts were calculated based on average number of students in the advanced standing MSW program, average student loan debt and demographic diversity. The funds will allow 30 students at Wayne State to cover nearly the entire cost of obtaining their MSW.

"Social Workers benefit the community, as well as the individual, and the recognition of that communal good by MDHHS is testament to that benefit," noted Social Work Dean Sheryl Kubiak. "We are thrilled that these scholarships fill some of the gap in the mental health workforce and hope that there is further support for this communal good so that the burden of tuition is not solely on the individual student."

Qualified students were invited to apply for the opportunity and were selected by a subcommittee of the School of Social Work Scholarship Committee. Selected students began the program in the summer 2024 semester and will graduate in May 2025.

"For some of the students, this funding was the deciding factor in whether they would be able to pursue a master's degree," said WSU Social Work Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Anwar Najor Durack. "For others, it's being able to take classes full time without having to work or depend on other financial support like loans that would add to the stress that they have when they graduate."

This funding supports two of the primary pillars of Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy's Priority Agenda. By accelerating mobility for our students, the university aims to provide access and success to underserved communities, providing "learning by doing" experiences that cultivate the competencies that prepare our graduates for successful careers. The College to Career initiative prioritizes deepening a student's educational experience through application in real-world contexts. The MDHHS funding requires students to work for two years at a nonprofit or public sector behavioral health organization, giving them invaluable experience in the beginning of their careers.

The MDHHS funding also aligns with the second pillar of the Prosperity Agenda: empowering health for our urban neighborhoods. Approximately one-third of Wayne State's students are enrolled in health-related programs, and more than 75 percent of graduates remain and work in Michigan. As the students who received this funding graduate next spring, they will become the next generation of providers for agencies providing mental health, behavioral health, and substance use services, helping to address health disparities to build healthier, more resilient communities in Detroit and beyond.

Writer: Sarah Freeman and Editor: Betsy Vanderstelt

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