UDM's Ignite scholarship addresses growing need for master’s-level psychologists
Virtual Open House Dec. 7 details scholarship and master’s program in clinical psychology
University of Detroit Mercy is helping to address the growing need for mental health clinicians through the Ignite Scholarship, which provides substantial financial support for graduate students enrolled in the Clinical Psychology master’s program.
“The master’s program in Clinical Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts & Education (CLAE) at University of Detroit Mercy is proud to provide the Ignite Scholarship to support graduate students financially in order to meet this pressing need in today’s society,” said Jocelyn Boryczka, dean of the UDM College of Liberal Arts & Education.
Interested individuals can learn more at the Detroit Mercy Clinical Psychology Virtual Open House on Thursday, Dec. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Registration is required at https://liberalarts.udmercy.edu/academics/psy/ma-clinical-psychology.php.
The scholarship provides qualified students with significant financial assistance for the three-year program which prepares individuals to become master’s-level psychological practitioners or to pursue additional graduate study.
Based on 2021 data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) data, more than 400,000 Michigan residents did not receive needed mental health care, but only 38.4% cited cost as the reason. A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that more than four million Michiganders live in communities with a shortage of mental health professionals, ranking fifth worst in the nation.
Michigan’s shortage spans the mental health professions, from direct caregivers, master's-level therapists, and social workers to psychiatrists and psychologists.
“University of Detroit Mercy’s Master of Arts program for Clinical Psychology combines academic rigor, small cohorts and individualized career planning and advising for a unique experience,” said Lee Eshelman, assistant professor and program director. “The Detroit Mercy Ignite Scholarship creates an incredible opportunity for graduate students entering the profession while addressing the need for master’s level psychologists in Michigan.”