Master of Science, Gerontology/Master of Social Work (MS/MSW)

Dual Degree Programs

The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work currently offers dual degree programs with a number of other USC professional schools. In addition, the school maintains a dual degree program at Hebrew Union College located adjacent to the USC campus.

The goal of these programs is to encourage graduate students to gain a recognized competence in another discipline which has direct relevance to the roles filled by social workers in society. Dual degree programs are based on the premise that some topics covered in the school are also addressed in the curricula of other departments, so that some credit toward an MSW degree may be given for specific courses in the cooperating department. Similarly, these departments have recognized that some credit toward their corresponding degree may be awarded for work completed in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. For this reason, students enrolled in dual degree programs can obtain both degrees with a reduced number of total units. Students wishing to enroll in dual degree programs must apply for and be admitted to both schools.

Master’s Requirements

The MS/MSW dual degree offers the student interested in direct service or community organization the credentials most valued in clinical and therapeutic practice. Students enrolled in this dual degree receive an MSW as well as an MS in Gerontology. This dual degree requires completion of 77 units: 32 units of work in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and 45 units in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The course work is usually completed over a 24-month period for full-time students. 

Students must complete MSW course work in foundation, foundation field instruction and core courses specific to the AMHW or SCI specializations.

See the Master of Master of Social Work/Master of Science, Gerontology (MSW/MS)  in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work for course requirements.

• GERO 510 Physiology of Development and Aging Units: 4
• GERO 520 Life Span Developmental Psychology Units: 2 or 4 (4 units required)
• GERO 530 Life Span Developmental Sociology Units: 4
• GERO 540 Social Policy and Aging Units: 4
• GERO 591 Field Practicum Units: 1-12 (8 units required)

• Gerontology electives Units: 8

Program Adaptation

The School of Gerontology waives 12 units; GERO 555, GERO 589, and GERO 593. Another 4 units of GERO 591 is added in lieu of one elective to meet the internship requirement of the MSW program. The School of Social Work waives 19 units.