Washington D.C. Military Immersion

Washington, D.C. Military Immersion

In partnership with USC Capital Campus, the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is excited to announce a new immersion course offered to current USC students.

The Social Work 656: Military and Veterans Policy and Practice course is an in-person educational experience in Washington, D.C. from March 16-20, 2026.

Approximately 16 million active-duty service members and veterans in the United States experience a variety of unique challenges. This immersion course offers an exclusive opportunity to explore how national policies are developed to support military service members, veterans and their families. Through meetings with policymakers, advocacy organizations and social work leaders, students in the immersion course will gain firsthand insight into the systems that shape military and veteran communities. 

For students with little knowledge of the military, this course provides a rich opportunity for in-depth learning focused on understanding the military culture and the needs of this population. For students who have experience with the military, it provides a behind-the-scenes look at policy development that few military members ever witness. 

The immersion course is lead by Carl Castro, professor and director of Military and Veterans Programs, who served 33 years in the U.S. Army before retiring at the rank of colonel, and participated in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo Campaigns, Operation Northern Watch and the Iraq War. It will introduce students to the roles of the executive and congressional branches of government in the development and implementation of policy. It will also examine the role of advocacy on mental health and social issues involving service members, veterans and their families. Students will explore the effectiveness of government policies and programs, as well as evidence-based practices and programs to address the needs of this population.

To participate, email your name and USC ID number to Professor Carl Castro by November 3, 2025.

Students accepted into this immersion course will be expected to attend multiple virtual preparation sessions on Saturdays prior to the trip, and all events and activities while in Washington, D.C., including but not limited to the following:

• Special Guest Lecturers
• Private Tours of Prominent Washington, D.C. Locations
• Office Visits
• Q&A with Members of the U.S. Congress
• Tour of Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Headquarters
• Tour of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Foundation

Students accepted into the course may apply for the Epstein Student Experience Scholarship for $2,500 in support to help offset the costs of attending the immersion. Please contact the USC Financial Aid Office for additional questions related to financial aid.

Course Credit

• For current MSW students: course will count as an elective toward their degree for students taking their elective in the spring semester, except for students in the Adult Mental Health and Wellness or Children, Youth and Families tracks. 
  *Please be advised that substituting this course for SOWK-612 may affect licensure eligibility. Students are responsible for confirming their specific licensure requirements. For more information about the possibility of this course being counted toward your MSW degree, please contact the MSW program at sdp.msw@usc.edu.
• For current DSW students: course will not count as an elective. Course is open to all DSW students but will count as an addition to their degree program coursework.
• For current MSN students: course will count as an elective toward their degree.

Frequently Asked Questions