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 scholarship program 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.