Individuals who are considering applying to The University of Texas at Austin MSSW Program for admission in summer or fall 2013 (deadline: January 15, 2013) will be interested to learn about the Integrated Behavioral Health Scholars (IBHS) Program, a new educational funding opportunity for selected clinical social work students interested in working with underserved populations.

Students who are accepted into the MSSW Program for summer or fall admission and who are bilingual, bicultural, and/or from underserved populations, active military or veterans and their immediate family, are particularly encouraged to apply for the IBHS Program.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Integrated Behavioral Health Scholars Program at the UT Austin School of Social Work will provide yearly stipends to selected MSSW students who are interested in a career as  a clinical social worker serving high need/high demand populations.

The purpose of the IBHS Program is to prepare MSSW students from under-represented groups to work as clinical behavioral health specialists in integrated primary care (medical) settings that serve Latinos, veterans, active duty military personnel and their families, and other high need/high demand populations.

IBHS Admission/Selection Criteria:

IBHS Program applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be newly admitted to the MSSW Program (Post-BSW summer admission or 2-Year Program fall admission only). Note: the deadline for application for summer or fall admission is January 15, 2013.
  • Through written essay demonstrate interest in working in integrated behavioral health in primary care settings with underserved populations, such as Latinos or veterans through VA facilities
  • Be interviewed (in Spanish, if applicable)
  • Choose the Clinical Social Work Concentration

Selection priority will be given to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Highest priority will be given to applicants who are bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural to match the majority of underserved clients in Central Texas
  • Priority will also be given to members of other underrepresented groups and to those who are veterans, active duty military, or their immediate family members

Individuals accepted into the IBHS Program receive:

  • Yearly stipend of $15,008 (one academic year for Post-BSW and up to two academic years for the 60-hour program)
  • Multidisciplinary educational opportunities that focus on building clinical skills and working with interprofessional teams of social workers, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in integrated behavioral health care settings
  • Coursework and hands-on training and coaching in the use of current evidence-based behavioral interventions in primary care settings
  • Clinical social work field placement in an integrated behavioral health care setting with underserved populations.

The IBH Scholars Program is a limited-opportunity program that will be offered for three years, with the last cohort to be admitted in fall 2015.

Please contact Ramón R. Gómez for more information: (512) 471-9819; ramon-gomez@austin.utexas.edu