Caring Gene Program Offers Financial Support to NYS Residents Seeking M.S. in Clinical Health Counseling, M.S.W. Degrees

Under a new initiative from the Caring Gene Career Pathways Training Program (CPT), in partnership with New York State, students who receive master’s degrees from the School of Education or School of Social Work at Syracuse University will receive full financial coverage for tuition, books and fees, if they commit to three years of service for an approved New York State healthcare provider.

CPT is dedicated to supporting individuals who have a calling to care for others—the caring gene. Starting April 1, 2025, and running through March 31, 2027, the program is open for applicants to one of 13 approved full-time educational programs, including the Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the School of Education and the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and Advanced Standing M.S.W. programs in the School of Social Work.

Visit the Caring Gene webpages for the School of Education and School of Social Work for more information and to apply.

Application assistance is available, and career specialists are available to help students navigate their educational options, identify the healthcare field that aligns with their strengths and interests, secure the financial support they need, and assist students with their job search upon completion of their degree.

“Human services providers–including mental health counselors and social workers–are needed more than ever to respond to the growing demand for human services and mental health professionals,” says School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Jefferson Smith. “This program provides a unique opportunity for students to fulfill their passion for helping others while alleviating part of the financial burden.”

“We deeply value this opportunity to partner with CPT to prepare high-quality emerging social workers and clinical mental health counselors to meet critical workforce needs,” says School of Education Counseling and Counselor Education Professor Yanhong Liu. “Our award-winning faculty brings diverse research expertise and clinical experiences. Incoming students will engage in highly experiential learning and rigorous clinical training in a supportive and welcoming community.”

The School of Social Work was founded in 1955 and opened in 1956 after Syracuse University received a major grant from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation. In 2024, the School of Social Work was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as among the “Best Schools of Social Work” in the country, and its national profile will continue to rise with the start of the prestigious Genovese Scholars Program that was created recently through a $300,000 gift to the school.

The School of Social Work is known for its long history of community impact and outreach, including annual donation drives organized by the Social Workers United student group.

Here are the eligibility requirements for the Caring Gene Career Pathways Training Program:

• Residency: A student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen residing in New York State. Applications are accepted by a student’s county of residence.
• Enrollment: A student must be enrolled in one of the 13 approved titles in a CPT educational program full-time. The titles include M.S.W. and Advanced Standing M.S.W.
• Other Financial Assistance: A student must complete FAFSA and TAP applications and accept all grants offered through these programs.
• Completion Commitment: Support through the program will be provided until March 31, 2027, and all participants must fulfill their service commitment by March 31, 2031.
• Service Commitment: A student must commit to a three-year service requirement working for a healthcare, behavioral health, or social care network provider in New York State that serves a patient population that is at least 30% Medicaid-reliant or uninsured.

In order to be assigned a career specialist, applicants should apply simultaneously for the Caring Gene Program and either the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through the School of Education or the M.S.W. programs through the School of Social Work.

For assistance and additional information, contact Breana Nieves Vergara, assistant director of graduate admissions in the School of Education at bknieves@syr.edu or 315.443.2505, or Adrienne Renfroe, coordinator of graduate admissions in the School of Social Work, at alrenfro@syr.edu or 315.443.1443.