UMass Global wins State of California grant funding to prepare new social workers to aid children, youths

Photo: Valerii Honcharuk

IRVINE, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2023) – University of Massachusetts Global will be able to expand enrollment in its Master of Social Work Program after winning nearly $1.2 million in California state government grant funding. The university received the award via an initiative intended to increase the state’s workforce of licensed social workers qualified to serve children and young adults.

“This grant validates our long-standing commitment to the state of California and reaffirms that our commitment hasn’t changed, even though our name has changed,” School of Arts and Sciences Dean Jeremy Korr said.

The Master of Social Work program here debuted in 2018. The fact that the program proved to be worthy of a major grant at this point in its existence is also a validation of the social work faculty’s collective work, said Tobi DeLong Hamilton, MSW program director.

“It’s really exciting,” she said. “A million dollars is certainly nothing to sneeze at.”

UMass Global had some 800 students enrolled in its Master of Social Work program over the period spanning last year’s Spring II term to the current Spring I 2023 term. Although the exact details of how the Department of Social Work will employ the grant funding are pending, Korr said the award will help the university increase admissions to the program by covering the costs for additional faculty and staff hours.

The state’s Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) announced the grant award via press release on Feb. 1. UMass Global’s share is part of the Social Work Education Capacity Expansion, a $59.4 million disbursal to more than 20 universities up and down the Golden State.

“Access to behavioral health care and expanding this workforce pipeline in California is critically important. This new grant program is an important investment to train social workers who play a crucial role in behavioral health care delivery,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly in the press release. “Our goal, under the governor’s vision, is to reimagine behavioral health and emotional well-being for all children, adults, and families in California. Awards like these will help us reach that goal.”

According to state officials, grant awards will either help universities like UMass Global expand their existing social work programs or function as seed money to help institutions create new programs. If all goes to plan, nearly 900 additional social work students will be able to enroll in the participating universities. The state’s inclusion of UMass Global in the grant awards will benefit aspiring social workers throughout the state who need or prefer an online option for their MSW.

UMass Global’s MSW and Bachelor of Arts in Social Work programs are both accredited by the Council on Social Work Accreditation. MSW students preparing for licensure while earning their degree must typically complete 600 to 1,000 clinical hours on their way to their degrees.

“They will be serving California communities even before they complete the program,” Korr said.

Media Contacts:

Terri M. Carbaugh, UMass Global Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs: Carbaugh@umassglobal.edu

Andrew Edwards, UMass Global Senior Multimedia News Writer: Edwards1@umassglobal.edu