The D.C. Council passed a bill on Tuesday that will create a free master’s in social work program at the University of the District of Columbia, aiming to bolster the city’s network of social workers and remove barriers for Black and Latino students.

The Pathways to Behavioral Degrees Act, introduced by Robert White earlier this year, will fund the degree program at UDC for D.C. residents. It’ll also cover the cost of books and student licensing exams, as well as provide students with a monthly stipend for living expenses and transportation. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, the council injected $6 million for the program over four years; in its first year (the 2024-2025 academic year), it’ll serve 20 students, and 40 each year after.

Upon completing their degrees, graduates are required to work for at least two years at a D.C. school, health provider, or nonprofit that contracts with the city government.