Program Background
Practice with older adults is a critical area for growth in the social work profession. According to the U.S. government, there are significant and unprecedented increases in the population growth of people 65 and older:
- The number will nearly double from 2018 to 2060
- The proportion of this population will rise from 16% to 23%
- The population is becoming more racially diverse
Given that Connecticut has the sixth highest population of older adults in the United States, there is a critical need to develop the workforce serving this growing population. Through a generous gift from a donor, the School of Social Work established the Scholars in Aging Program in 2022. This $1,500 stipend-based initiative prepares students with specialized classroom and practicum training to serve the growing number of adults aged 65 and older within diverse communities and institutional settings. A cohort of up to ten students are accepted into the program annually. Applications are closed for the 25-26 academic year.
Read the UConn Today story about this program.
Program Requirements
Student Eligibility:
- Individuals, Groups, and Families Hartford Campus students entering advanced year in Fall 2025, preferred
- Individuals, Groups, and Families online students entering advanced year in Fall 2026
- BSW students entering their senior practicum
- Maintain an overall 3.0 GPA
- Meet UConn and practicum agency requirements
- Complete the Scholars in Aging Application form and include a short essay, unofficial transcript, and resume/CV
Application Deadline:
- December 10th for returning students
- February 15th for 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.
Students agree to:
- Enroll in the required HBEL 5357 Social Gerontology course offered in the spring
- Complete a practicum placement in an agency serving older adults aged 65 and older
- Attend five collaborative learning seminars each semester, which count toward practicum hours
- Attend one SSW Scholars in Aging lecture
- Complete a self-reflection paper highlighting their cumulative learning experience at the end of each semester
Stipends are disbursed at the beginning of fall and spring semesters.
More Information
Contact Dr. Joy Learman at joy.learman@uconn.edu.
Webinar Series
Scholars in Aging
Webinar Series
Watch Part One: We're All Aging: What does that mean for social workers?
