The University of Southern California, one of the top research universities in the world, fosters a vibrant culture of public service and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. The School of Social Work, one of the 10 top-ranked, accredited social work graduate programs (U.S. News & World Report) in the nation, offers a rigorous, research-supported and mutually responsible learning process that nurtures innovative, principled and insightful leaders and practitioners.
USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the United States. The USC Financial Aid Office provides applications and information about need-based financial aid, departmental grants, and long-term financing options including the following federal and private programs:
Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Private Financing programs
Master of Social Work (Virtual Academic Center) (Online)
The MSW@USC is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC). Accreditation is a rigorous process that verifies degree programs meet the high standards considered essential to providing a quality social work education and ensuring that every student graduating from a social work program has the same requisite skills and knowledge.
The MSW@USC offers three concentrations and one sub-concentration.
Families and Children
This concentration emphasizes a "family-centered" model and prepares students for practice with families and children in multicultural urban communities. Students learn developmental/preventive services, problem solving, crisis and remedial services, and protective services for children and adolescents.
Mental Health
Students develop skills in the psychosocial assessment of commonly encountered mental health problems, design of appropriate intervention plans and delivery of preventive and rehabilitative mental health services. They learn to deal with issues relating to outreach, advocacy, program evaluation and organizational or governmental policies.
Community Organization, Planning and Administration
COPA prepares students to become administrators, planners and community organizers in urban settings. Emphasis is placed on a macro practice - one that focuses on the big-picture service improvements and policy changes that aid individuals and enhance the well-being of communities. Students develop skills in management and finance, program development and evaluation, and community organization.
Military Social Work
This specialized area of study prepares individuals to provide a full range of human services to the nation's military personnel, veterans and their families, helping them cope with the stresses of military life. The military sub-concentration can be integrated with any of the three major concentration areas offered through the Virtual Academic Center.
The MSW@USC is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC).