UC part of $18 million statewide initiative to expand behavioral health workforce

Ohio faces a significant shortage of licensed behavioral health providers, particularly in rural and low-income communities, where residents may wait months for an appointment, travel long distances or go without care during a crisis. The OBHS Program is designed to close that gap by training and retaining clinicians committed to working where the need is greatest.

Students who accept scholarships must sign an agreement committing to working in an eligible underserved Ohio community for a period equal to the number of years they receive scholarship support. Qualifying settings include community behavioral health centers, federally qualified health centers, school-based health clinics, child advocacy centers, behavioral health providers participating in OhioRISE — a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs — and nonprofit providers where Medicaid is the primary payer.

UC will receive approximately $1.2 million in scholarship funding. Eligible graduate students may receive full in-state tuition coverage for fall 2026. Tuition may be reimbursed retroactively after a student is accepted into the scholarship program. Scholarships may be eligible for renewal in spring 2027, fall 2027 and spring 2028.

Additionally, $2.5 million is available through an independent agreement with Health Impact Ohio to fund $4,000 internship stipends paid directly to students during their field placements.

“Providing these scholarships will reduce the educational debt of students, which is extremely important at a time when federal graduate student loans have been limited due to legislative changes,” said Dana Harley, PhD, project director for the OBHS Program at UC, professor and master of social work program director. “We are delighted to train these future clinicians to provide services to some of the most vulnerable populations in Ohio."

Accelerated, full-time and part-time graduate students currently enrolled are eligible. Incoming students are not eligible. Qualifying programs include: 

• Master of social work (MSW) in the College of Allied Health Sciences
• Master of arts in mental health counseling (MA) in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and Information Technology
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PhD) in the College of Arts & Sciences

“The clinical counseling program in the School of Human Services has a consistent record of interprofessional collaboration across campus resulting in supportive grant funding for our students as they study to become professional counselors throughout Ohio,” said Amanda La Guardia, PhD, professor and counseling program coordinator.

Current graduate students interested in the scholarship program should apply through their respective programs. The application includes a personal statement on why the student is interested in working with Ohio populations from disadvantaged backgrounds.

UC's MSW program integrates classroom learning with a field practicum. Students develop clinical skills in assessment, intervention and case management, preparing graduates to work with individuals, families and communities facing complex social and behavioral health challenges. Graduates are eligible to pursue licensure as licensed social workers (LSW) and licensed independent social workers (LISW) in Ohio.

UC's mental health counseling program trains students to provide individual, group and family counseling across a range of mental health and substance use concerns. Rooted in culturally responsive, evidence-based practice, the program includes supervised clinical practica and prepares graduates for licensure as licensed professional counselors (LPC) in Ohio.

UC's clinical psychology doctoral program offers rigorous training in psychological assessment, evidence-based intervention and applied research. Students complete supervised clinical hours across a range of populations and settings, culminating in an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited internship before graduation. Graduates are prepared for licensure as psychologists and for careers in clinical practice and academic research.

Featured image at top: Supportive and comforting hands clasped in empathy. Photo/iStock/Moment Makers Group.