Twenty-seven UT Social Work graduates will become LCSWs thanks to the Susan and Anthony Wood Postgraduate Scholarships for LCSW Workforce Development, made possible by a significant gift from the WoodNext Foundation.
The program addresses critical gaps identified in the 2024 Texas Social Work Workforce Study: 97% of counties are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, with demand for mental health professionals exceeding supply by 27% statewide — projected to reach 36% by 2036.
The two-year program provides complete support for the licensure pathway: 100 hours of board-approved clinical supervision, monitoring toward the required 3,000 supervised work hours, exam preparation materials, exam fees and a $3,300 stipend.
“One of our goals has long been to make debt and financial burden less of an issue for students every year, and these scholarships represent a critical step forward in that mission,” said Dean Allan Cole. “Our graduates are remarkable — they’re passionate, innovative and committed to making the world better. This investment ensures that financial barriers won’t prevent them from reaching their full potential as licensed clinicians when Texas communities need them most.”
The WoodNext Foundation — the philanthropy of Roku CEO and founder Anthony Wood and his wife, Susan — funds initiatives nationwide that address mental health, economic opportunity and barriers to a fulfilling life.
This program addresses a significant need in Texas and paves the way for additional programs that will create a pipeline of jobs for social work students and create pathways to mental health care across Texas.