Help reduce the shortage of school-based mental health services professionals with the Multidisciplinary Pathways to Recruit, Train, and Retain Mental Health Providers in Iowa (MPath) program!

MPath Grant Overview

MPath will address shortages in school-based mental health services professionals (MHSPs) available in high-need schools. The MPath project focuses on developing a multidisciplinary training model to increase the number of highly qualified school based MHSPs serving high need areas of Iowa. Special emphasis will be to increase the number of MHSPs from underrepresented, nontraditional, and minoritized backgrounds.

The grant will fund 72 graduate students over the course of 5 years. This project will result in the enhancement of innovative practical learning experiences and more accessible pathways to prepare school-based MHSPs to serve in high-need schools located in Keystone and Mississippi Bend AEA. Students will acquire the expertise and practical experience necessary to address the broad range of mental health concerns encountered by high-need Local Education Agencies (LEAs) within our partner AEAs (Keystone and Mississippi Bend AEA).
 

Degree Options

School Psychology, EdS

Focuses on data driven decision-making in consultation with schools, families, and community stakeholders. Training areas include cognitive, behavioral, and social emotional assessment and intervention, preparing practitioners for a variety of education-related settings. Students in this program will primarily work in K-12 settings, including school-based mental and behavioral health centers/ clinics, community-based treatment facilities, and more.

Contact: Ann Santos, PhD, LP
ann-m-garcia-santos@uiowa.edu

Total semester hours (s.h.) required: 62 s.h.

Funding:

  • $5000 one-time stipend for living/program expenses released the first semester in the program
  • Two semesters of tuition during the second-year advanced practicum
  • AEA recommendations and/or historically disadvantaged groups may be eligible for limited additional funding, if you feel you may qualify, please speak with your program head.

Minimum training requirements:

  • Practicum-9 S.H., 450 clock hours 
  • Internship-2-3 S.H.,1200 clock hours

Work Setting

Primarily in K-12 settings and includes elementary to high schools, alternative schools, early childhood settings, school administration, school-based mental and behavioral health centers/clinics, residential settings, community-based treatment facilities, universities and colleges, and private and charter schools.

AEA requirements

Year three students will take the PRAXIS (School Psychology) exam and complete a one-year full-time (1200 hour) internship within one of our two partner AEA’s (Keystone or Mississippi Bend). This will prepare students for eligibility as a certified school psychologist and to apply for the national credential as a school psychologist (Nationally Certified School Psychologist- NCSP).

School Counseling, MA

Specializes in social emotional learning, suicide prevention, career counseling, and gifted education. The program offers the support and expertise of five full-time faculty with professional expertise in school counseling. In this program, students will be trained to work in elementary through high school environments.

Contact: Gerta Bardhoshi, PhD
gerta-bardhoshi@uiowa.edu

Total semester hours (s.h.) required: 60 s.h.

Funding:

  • $5000 one-time stipend for living/program expenses released the first semester in the program
  • Two semesters of tuition for students in practicum
  • AEA recommendations and/or historically disadvantaged groups may be eligible for limited additional funding, if you feel you may qualify, please speak with your program head.

Minimum training requirements:

  • Practicum-100 hours total, 40 hours direct, 60 hours indirect-Required to attend site at least 1 day a week
  • Internship Hours-600 total, 240 direct, 360 indirect-Required 5 days a week on site

Work setting

School settings (elementary-high school)

AEA requirements

Students will get to have an automatic placement for practicum hours and internship within one of two AEA’s (Keystone or Mississippi Bend). Upon graduation, you will immediately be granted a K-12 license in Iowa.

Public Health, MPH

Prepares public health practitioners for various positions related to community development, health program implementation, and health education. Students learn how to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based community-level interventions in county, state, and federal public health agencies, as well as nonprofit community-based organizations (e.g., health educators, prevention coordinators, program evaluators).

Contact: Eboneé Johnson, PhD
ebonee-johnson@uiowa.edu

Total semester hours (s.h.) required: 42 s.h.

Funding:

  • $5000 one-time stipend for living/program expenses released the first semester in the program
  • Tuition covered during semester(s) enrolled in Applied Practice Experience (up to two semesters)
  • AEA recommendations and/or historically disadvantaged groups may be eligible for limited additional funding, if you feel you may qualify, please speak with your program head.

Minimum training requirements:

  • Applied Health Experience-200-hour min includes a paper, presentation, and a required capstone.
  • CBH elective (1-3 credit hours)- Independent Study (Pre-applied practice experience)

Work setting

County public health agencies, state public health agencies, federal agencies (e.g., SAMHSA, CDC, NIH), Non-profit-community-based organizations (e.g. health educators, prevention coordinators, program evaluators)

AEA requirements

Placement at health clinics or community-based organizations within the Keystone or Mississippi Bend AEA service area.

Social Work, MSW

Focuses on clinical practice (mental health work in organizations such as nonprofits, hospitals, schools, and private practice), and leadership practice, which prepares students for community-based partnerships that advocate for social, economic, and racial justice. Social Work MPath Scholars train to provide mental health and disability services in school settings.

Contact: Sarah Witry, LMSW
sarah-witry@uiowa.edu

Total semester hours (s.h.) required

  • regular standing: 54 s.h. for students without Social Work Bachelor's degree
  • advanced standing: 36 s.h. for students with a social work bachelor's degree

Funding:

  • $5000 one-time stipend for living/program expenses released the first semester in the program
  • Two semesters of tuition for students in special practicum
  • AEA recommendations and/or historically disadvantaged groups may be eligible for limited additional funding, if you feel you may qualify, please speak with your program head.

Minimum training requirements:

  • MSW Generalist Practicum- Required if you have a bachelor's degree in anything other than social work-3 credits, total of 300 clock hours.
  • MSW Specialist Practicum- Have completed the generalist practicum or comparable in a bachelors or Master of Social Work program. Students choose Clinical Practice or Leadership Practice specialization and complete 6 S.H., 600 total hours, in practicum over the final fall and spring semester.

Work setting

Mental health centers, medical settings, schools, social services, nonprofits, government roles, and more.

AEA requirements

Placement with a social worker serving high-need schools within either the Keystone or Mississippi Bend AEA service area.

Graduate Funding

Dollar sign

Students will have access to the following funds:

  • $5000 one-time stipend for living/program expenses
  • Two semesters of tuition during practical experience
  • AEA recommendations and/or historically disadvantaged groups may be eligible for limited additional funding, if you feel you may qualify, please speak with your program head.

Funded by a five-year U.S. Department of Education grant, the MPath program enhances innovative practical learning experiences for graduate students, providing more accessible pathways for future mental health services professionals (MHSPs) who will help serve high-need schools served by our Area Education Agencies (AEAs).

AEA Partnerships

Keystone AEA represents 21 school districts, 21 non-public schools, 31,500 students, and creates over 4,600 IEPs. Keystone represents 6% of Iowa’s students.

Mississippi Bend AEA serves 6 counties across Eastern Iowa (Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, Cedar, Jackson, and Lousia). Serving 117 schools, 21 public districts, 13 private schools, and over 49,500 students.

Iowa AEA map

Application & Admission

Applications are due December 1 for admission to the fall semester.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

  • A Graduate College application form
  • Official transcripts for all previous college work
  • A personal statement outlining career goals and reasons for seeking training in school psychology at the University of Iowa
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are qualified to assess the applicant's potential for completing the EdS program
  • An updated curriculum vitae or résumé

The program encourages applicants from minoritized and other underrepresented groups to include persons from a wide range of backgrounds and academic preparation. Students begin the program in the fall. Admission decisions usually are made by March 1st. Applicants are invited to campus for interviews before final selection.

Applications need to be submitted by February 1 for admission to summer or fall semester.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

  • Statement of purpose
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • A curriculum vita (CV)
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE Scores

Admission Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited American college or university, or an equivalent degree from another country as determined by the Office of Admissions.

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a four-point scale
  • Graduate GPA or 3.0 or better on a four-point scale
  • GRE-verbal and quantitative
  • English proficiency requirements
  • Interview with faculty
  • Students may be required to complete a background check

Applications need to be submitted by February 1 for admission to the undergraduate to graduate; all other MPH applications should be submitted by May 1.

Applicants should submit the following materials through SOPHAS:

  • Personal Statement addressing questions that are outlined in application
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A curriculum vitae or resume (CV)
  • Official transcripts

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Earned bachelor's or professional degree
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Apply online through the SOPHAS website

Applications need to be submitted by January 15 for admission to the Fall semester.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

  • A two-page statement of purpose
  • Two references (one academic, one professional)
  • A curriculum vita (CV) or resume
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE Scores (optional)
  • A brief SSW supplemental data form
  • A degree from an accredited university
  • GPA of 3.0 or above

News

Old Capitol Building

College of Education faculty awarded $5.3 million national mental health grant

Monday, May 1, 2023
Faculty from the University of Iowa College of Education School Counseling and School Psychology programs were awarded a $5.388 million grant to address shortages in the number of school-based mental health services professionals (MHSPs) available in high-need schools. Faculty from the UI College of Public Health and School of Social Work will also collaborate on the grant.

Contacts