BIPOC Externship Scholarship

Over 30 years ago, Ackerman Institute for the Family (AIF) committed to increasing the number of therapists of color trained in couple and family therapy with its Social Work and Diversity (SWD) Program. The SWD Program provided tuition-free training in the Dual Program for BIPOC graduating social work students.

Since then, the U.S. has become much more culturally diverse and there is a rising need for mental health services. Despite a therapist not needing to match a client’s cultural identity, many families of color desire to have a therapist who shares a similar background. They want someone who understands the racial and cultural nuances of their lives.

To meet the ongoing and increasing need for trained therapists of color in the field of couple and family therapy, the Ackerman Institute for the Family is proud to offer the first BIPOC Extern Scholarships.

The BIPOC Scholarships are a continuation of AIF’s sincere commitment to increasing BIPOC therapists in the field of couple and family therapy to improve access for diverse families.

Application Instructions:

Fill out the fields below. All candidates are required to upload supporting documents as required by each course.

Do not close this window until you are finished, as your application may not be saved.

The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2025.

What You Need to Apply:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement – In 200–250 words, please reflect on the following:
  1. Your Journey So Far – What experiences have shaped your path and journey into the field of family therapy? How has being a member of the BIPOC community influenced your understanding of systemic change and mental health?
  2. Challenges & Growth – Describe a challenge—personal, academic, or systemic—that you have faced during your training at Ackerman, thus far. How did you navigate this obstacle, and in what ways has it strengthened your perspective, skills, or commitment to the field?
  3. Future Impact – Looking beyond your externship, how do you plan to contribute to the field of family therapy in a way that upholds the mission, legacy, and future of Ackerman, the ARA, and BIPOC inclusion in the field? How will you help ensure that family therapy remains relevant, accessible, and transformative for diverse communities?

Your response should reflect personal insight, resilience, and a vision for how you will advance equity, inclusion, and systemic change within the field of family therapy.

2025—2026 BIPOC Externship Scholarship Application:

Your Contact Information

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

Scholarship Eligibility

Do you identify as a member of the BIPOC community?(Required)
List expected date of completion.
Add the email address of the Live Clinical instructor who will provide your externship recommendation.
Upload your resume here.
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.

BIPOC Scholarship Essay

In 200–250 words, please reflect on the following:

  1. Your Journey So Far – What experiences have shaped your path and journey into the field of family therapy? How has being a member of the BIPOC community influenced your understanding of systemic change and mental health?
  2. Challenges & Growth – Describe a challenge—personal, academic, or systemic—that you have faced during your training at Ackerman, thus far. How did you navigate this obstacle, and in what ways has it strengthened your perspective, skills, or commitment to the field?
  3. Future Impact – Looking beyond your externship, how do you plan to contribute to the field of family therapy in a way that upholds the mission, legacy, and future of Ackerman, the ARA, and BIPOC inclusion in the field? How will you help ensure that family therapy remains relevant, accessible, and transformative for diverse communities?

Your response should reflect personal insight, resilience, and a vision for how you will advance equity, inclusion, and systemic change within the field of family therapy.

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.
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