Pathways to Practice (P2P): Equitable access to School Social Work licensure
The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Department of Social Work invites BSW and MSW students who are passionate about equity, mental health, and educational justice to apply to Pathways to Practice (P2P): Equitable Access to School Social Work Licensure. Minnesota faces a critical shortage of school social workers—especially in rural, tribal, and high-need communities—at a time when schools are seeing increased anxiety, trauma-related concerns, and behavioral challenges among K–12 students. P2P prepares emerging school social workers to support students and their families through culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive practice, with a strong emphasis on serving American Indian, BIPOC, low-income, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
Student benefits include:
- Tuition support (stipends awarded across fall and spring semesters)
- Paid school-based internships to reduce the need for unpaid practicum labor
- Mileage support to help cover travel to and from internship sites
- Licensure and credentialing cost support, including expenses related to social work licensure and the PELSB process
- Professional development support, including a student NASW membership and assistance with professional liability coverage
- Specialized trainings and cohort support, including sessions on anti-racist/anti-oppressive educational practice, culturally responsive behavioral health care, and working effectively with historically underserved students and families
- Individualized mentoring and job placement support, including help navigating licensure steps and transitioning into school-based roles after graduation
Eligibility and deadline:
Applicants must be in the final year of their BSW or MSW program and committed to pursuing school social work in high-need settings. The application deadline is March 13th, 2026. Students selected as P2P trainees will complete a school-based practicum and participate in ongoing learning and support activities designed to strengthen clinical skills, cultural responsiveness, and readiness for school social work licensure and employment. For more information, please contact Dr. Nomi Ostrander ([email protected]).