Syracuse University has entered a partnership with the Caring Gene Career Pathways Training Program (CPT) to address health care workforce shortages in the hardest-hit areas of New York state, reduce barriers to career advancement and support individuals seeking to become compassionate professionals in the health care industry.
Through this partnership, eligible New York state residents and residents of certain bordering states receive full coverage of tuition, books and academic fees while pursuing education in 13 health care fields, 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.
The program, administered by the Iroquois Healthcare Association and funded by the New York State Department of Health, supports both new health care workers and current professionals seeking career advancement.
To qualify for the program, students must commit to a three-year service commitment with a health care, behavioral health or social care network provider in New York state that serves a patient population of at least 30 percent Medicaid-reliant or uninsured individuals. Additionally, students must complete their degree by spring 2027 and fulfill the service requirement by March 31, 2031.
Carrie Smith Jefferson
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 health care 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.”
Yanhong Liu
“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.”
“Syracuse University shares our commitment to investing in the next generation of New York state health care workers,” says Kevin M. Kerwin, Esq., acting president and CEO of Iroquois Healthcare Association. “This program is an important step toward strengthening our health care workforce and expanding access to quality care in the communities that need it most. We look forward to working with Syracuse to recruit and guide candidates through the Caring Gene’s CPT program.”
Here are the eligibility requirements for the Caring Gene Career Pathways Training Program:
In order to be assigned a career specialist, applicants should apply at the Caring Gene Program to be considered for funding 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.
