June 26, 2024

Ferris State Master of Social Work program earns state grant lowering costs for students while building skilled workforce

A new Department of Health and Human Services grant will help Ferris State University social work students lower costs and gain in-demand skills for jobs helping state residents. 

Michael Berghoef, chair of the Social Work department, said the $167,000 grant allows five Master of Social Work students with advanced standing to each receive $30,000 stipends for their postgraduate intentions. 

“As a program that educates psychotherapists and medical and school social workers who go directly into practice to meet the mental health needs of our Michigan communities, we are thrilled, Berghoef said. “These stipends offset the cost of tuition and lower student debt for eligible MSW students. We strive to find as many avenues as possible to financially help our aspiring MSW students. This grant and others like it help tremendously.” 

The MDHHS said in return for this support, these students will commit to two years of full-time employment in the behavioral health sector in Michigan after their graduation. 

Ten state universities and two private four-year Michigan schools received nearly $5 million through this program. The expectation is for 150 recipients to earn their master’s degrees. 

Berghoef said word of the state funding is spreading quickly among master-level students. 

“We have had a great deal of interest in this grant,” he said. “We are currently finalizing the application process to narrow down and select those students who will receive the stipend. The work requirement for recipients is not posing any issues, as any behavioral health sector commitment will be for good jobs in their chosen field.” 

The program strengthens access to graduate-level degrees and helps keep graduates in Michigan. 

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

Ten state universities and two private four-year Michigan schools received nearly $5 million through this program. The expectation is for 150 recipients to earn their master’s degrees. 

Social workers are increasingly in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 63,800 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.