Mar 28, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2017-2018 
    
USC Catalogue 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

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


Return to: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work  

 

The MSW/MS dual degree offers the student interested in direct service or community organization the credentials most valued in clinical and therapeutic practice. Taken in connection with the social work degree, the MS focuses course and fieldwork on the older person and prepares the student for social work with older persons and their families.

In the MSW/MS dual degree program, the student enrolls primarily in the first year program of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. During the summer session, courses are taken in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Second year courses are taken in both schools and fieldwork during the second year is taken in the School of Gerontology. The research course is taken through the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in the student’s concentration area. The School of Gerontology will waive GERO 589 Case Studies in Leadership and Change Management  (4 units) and GERO 555 Integrating Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Approach  (4 units) because students enrolled in this program have a primary professional focus on social work.

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 Master of Social Work and Master of Science, Gerontology (MSW/MSG) 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.

Program Requirements:

This dual degree requires completion of 73 units: 32 units of work in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and 41 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. 

Course requirements in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work include the required courses outlined below. Students will take their remaining MSW units in department core courses specific to either the AMHW or SCI departments only. Students will be advised into the appropriate courses. 

For MSG degree requirements, see the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology .