LEND Program

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND)

    LEND is an interdisciplinary leadership training program aimed at improving the health care of infants, children, and youth with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism. The LEND provides funding for full-time doctoral and master’s students and other community-based trainees (including persons with disabilities, family members, and practicing professionals) to participate in weekly seminars, clinical practica, research, and advocacy projects over the course of a year.

    Students will receive a:

    • full-time graduate assistantship
    • tuition waiver and
    • stipend (approximately $29,000 over 9 months)

    For more information, visit the LEND Program.

    Program Requirements

    Student Eligibility:

    • Open to on-campus students in all concentrations, advanced year or advanced standing students preferred
    • Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA
    • Meet UConn and practicum agency requirements
    • Have experience working with people with disabilities (through either work, internship, or volunteer experiences)
    • Have an interest in continuing to work with this population post-graduation
    • Complete the LEND Application form and include a short essay, unofficial transcript, and resume/CV

    Students agree to:

    1. Participate in the one-year program, fall and spring semesters
    2. Devote 20 hours a week to the training program, which meets in person on Fridays in Farmington, CT

      .  Top candidates will be interviewed by Dr. Wilson.

      More Information

      Contact Dr. Cristina Wilson at Cristina.Wilson@uconn.edu.

      Male working with children

      Application Deadline

      December 10th: returning students
      February 15th: incoming students

      • Prospective students applying to the MSW program have the option to select a stipend program during the application process.
      • It is important to thoroughly review the programs and eligibility criteria as only one program can be chosen. In addition to meeting the standard application requirements, applicants must also complete essay #2. Notifications about the stipend program will be sent separately from the MSW application decision, between March and April.
      • The stipend program decision is independent of the MSW application decision.