Workforce Development Initiatives 

Workforce Development Initiatives at William James College aim to bridge the needs of organizations, the profession, and the community by providing high quality education and training programs that prepare students to meet the demand for culturally competent behavioral health care across the nation. 

The William James College Center for Workforce Development

William James is building and sustaining a diverse and culturally competent behavioral health workforce that is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to succeed in the workplace and in an ever-changing global economy. Through Academic Training & Concentrations, by providing Scholarships, and through Field Education opportunities.

The William James College Center for Workforce Development oversees a number of key programs at the College, including the Behavioral Health Service Corps, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI), PATHWAYS, and the Serving the Underserved Scholarship. The Center also regularly presents events to bring the community together for learning opportunities, and works closely with academic departments to promote other training. 

Visit the links below to learn more. 

Academic Training & Concentrations

Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Human Services

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology and Human Services program is a cornerstone of our Workforce Development Initiatives. Our bachelor's completion program, which is offered through a blended model with a combination of online courses, gives students an affordable option to complete their undergraduate degree, transferring credits from previous study or an associate's degree, while continuing to work in the human services field.

Learn more about our Bachelor of Science program here.

Alcohol and Drug Education and Psychology Training (ADEPT) Center

The  Alcohol and Drug Education and Psychology Training (ADEPT) Center at William James College provides training and works collaboratively with treatment providers, educational partners, and other leaders to increase the number and capacity of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) professionals.

Learn more about ADEPT here.

Scholarships

Behavioral Health Initiative*

Behavioral Health Initiative (BHI) Scholarships are available to students who are planning to enroll in the Counseling Department MA program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (on campus or online) and who exhibit a strong dedication and commitment to the delivery of human services in a behavioral health setting. The scholarship reduces tuition to $880 per credit—a 24% tuition reduction for 2021-2022. Student fees remain the same for all enrolled students and are not impacted by the scholarship.

Learn more about the BHI scholarship here.

*The BHI Program is managed by the Counseling and Behavioral Health Department for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling on campus and online programs. 

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI)

The William James College Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative aims to expand and diversify the child and adolescent behavioral health workforce through the development, implementation and evaluation of an innovative pipeline program focused on cultivating and educating culturally compassionate providers.

Learn more about CAMHI here.

Serving the Underserved Scholarship Program

This scholarship reflects WJC’s commitment to promoting social justice and addressing mental health disparities among disenfranchised populations in the U.S. The highly competitive scholarship, which covers 2/3 of tuition costs, recognizes the achievements and promise of students committed to pursuing Master’s (MA), Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies (CAGS) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees.

Learn more about the Underserved Scholarship program here.

Specialized Training & Academic Retention (STAR) Fellowship Program 

Funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, the STAR Fellowship Program aims to diversify the behavioral health workforce by retaining first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds; and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and training to provide culturally responsive services and address mental health disparities in primary care settings and medically underserved communities.

Learn more about the STAR Fellowship program here.

Leaders in Diversity and Resilience (LDR) Fellowship Program* 

Funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, the LDR Fellowship Program aims to diversify the behavioral health workforce by retaining first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds and groups under-represented in the counseling field, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and training to provide culturally responsive services and address mental health disparities in primary care settings and medically underserved communities.

Learn more about the LDR Fellowship program here.

*The LDR Program is managed by the Counseling and Behavioral Health Department for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling on campus program.

Grant Supported Practicum/Internship Experience

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program

Over a four-year period, this HRSA-funded initiative will provide stipends and training for 80 graduate students with an interest in serving high need and high demand areas, and who are themselves from culturally diverse backgrounds, in a broad range of partnering field education sites in integrated behavioral health and primary care settings. A special focus is placed on demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the specific needs of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth who are at risk for behavioral health disorders.

Learn more about the HRSA BHWET program here.

HRSA GPE/OWEP Grants Training Opportunities

HRSA has awarded William James College $2.7 million over three years to train doctoral students to work along with physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel to prevent, diagnose and treat substance use disorders and in particular opioid use disorders.  These grant awards, titled the Graduate Psychology Education Program (GPE) and the Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP), are both focused on expanding and diversifying the behavioral health workforce to meet the growing and critical need for qualified mental health professionals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Learn more about GEP/OWEP Training Grants here.

Career Ladder Programs

Behavioral Health Service Corps (BHSC)

The  Behavioral Health Service Corps is a paid year-long service and learning opportunity for recent college graduates which provides an entry-level career experience in behavioral healthcare along with credits towards a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Scholars spend the year becoming familiar with the work of behavioral healthcare, understanding the needs of different populations, and receiving mentoring in becoming professionals in this field.

Learn more about the Behavioral Health Service Corps here.

Community Health Workers (CHW) Training Program

The Community Health Workers (CHW) Training Program is an opportunity for pre-bachelor’s level students to explore a career in behavioral healthcare. Funded by HRSA’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals, the program begins in January 2022 and is completed in one year. It’s a full-time paid field work experience at a behavioral health agency paired with training, mentorship, career counseling, and professional development seminars at William James College.

Learn more about CHW here.

Field Education

PATHWAYS Program

The PATHWAYS Program is a unique campus-community collaboration that provides mental health services to urban students in the Boston Public Schools.

Learn more about our PATHWAYS Program here.