Student Eligibility
Due to the competitive nature of the EPIC Program, all of the eligibility requirements and commitments below are non-negotiable without exception. If you believe that you cannot meet the eligibility requirements or commitments, please take that into consideration before applying. Please reach out to Dr. Tennille or Wendy Myers to discuss any concerns you may have.
2023-2024 APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications released to students
March 6, 2023
Applications due
April 14, 2023 no later than 11:59 pm
(applications received after 11:59 pm will not be considered)
Students notified of awardee status
MEd School Counseling/PsyD Students: May 5, 2023 by 5pm
MSW Students: July 7, 2023 by 5pm
To be eligible to receive an EPIC Program Application, students must meet the following criteria:
Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or foreign national who possesses a visa permitting permanent resident in the United States. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to apply.
Be entering your final field placement before graduation.
Be referred, interviewed, or accepted to an eligible field site before application deadline. An eligible field site is one where the student will be working PRIMARILY and DIRECTLY with children, adolescents, and/or transitional-aged youth.
Be accepted and committed to your practicum before July 7, 2023.
Sign a Letter of Commitment that you will complete the EPIC Program Requirements.
Complete your field placement during the contiguous fall/spring academic year.
CWEL students are not currently eligible. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Other tuition-funding sources may preclude you from applying (such as VA benefits, etc.). It is the student's responsibility to determine eligibility.
2023-2024 Applicants: See the slide deck to learn more or contact Wendy Myers.
Selected students must agree to the following to participate in the EPIC Program:
Attend all four EPIC Trainings Series events live. Students are expected to make arrangements with employers and professors in advance.
Have taken or will take SWG/NTD 592: Advanced Clinical Practice in Integrated Health during the Winter Semester of the year you receive the award (the cost of the class is not covered by the grant)
Complete entire academic year in eligible field placement (two eligible field placements for MEd School Counseling) in good standing.
Complete all required EPIC Program, HRSA, and HRSA-sponsored (such as NORC) surveys, as needed, in a timely manner.
There are ways you can lose your status as an EPIC Awardee. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
Lose your field placement for any reason.
Don't attend or pass SWG/NTD 592 or any one or more of the four EPIC Training Series.
Don't sign your Letter of Commitment by the deadline.
Fail your field class/seminar.
Violate the Code of Ethics of one or more of the following: Your profession (NASW, etc.); West Chester University, agency/organization of field placement, or the academic program (MSW, MEd School Counseling, or PsyD).
Other unforeseen circumstances that may arise.