Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) Stipend

The Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) is a partnership of schools of social work and social and human service agencies that are dedicated to serving older adults in various settings, such as primary care medical offices, health and wellness programs, case management services, adult day social programs, long-term care ombudsman services, in-home services, and information and referral services. These agencies provide professional clinical social work services to older adults to help them maintain their health and well-being in the community as they adapt to circumstances associated with aging. They use a person-centered approach and focus on what is important to the older adult when identifying services and creating service recommendations.

Stipend Amount

The GSWEC Program offers two stipend programs for students interested in working with older adults. 

• First-year MSW students have the option of receiving a stipend of $1,000. 
• Second-year MSW students receive a stipend ranging from $4,000 to $8,000.

About the Initiative

This initiative aims to strengthen geriatric social work education, increase social workers’ competency in the area of aging, and introduce students to an emerging, high-growth field within social work. To participate, students must maintain good academic standing (including practicum placement) and complete a practicum placement with a GSWEC-affiliated agency in the Los Angeles area.

Students who are selected for a GSWEC stipend and practicum placement participate in three all-day didactic trainings throughout the school year, and work with their practicum instructor to develop a macro project that benefits the older adults in the agency where the student is placed. All these opportunities enhance MSW graduate employment opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a GSWEC stipend, students must complete an application, demonstrate an interest in primarily serving adults, age 55 and older and their families/caregivers, and interview with practicum instructors at GSWEC placement sites. While the goal is for stipend recipients to work with the geriatric population after graduation, there is no mandatory "employment-payback" requirement. The GSWEC stipend is funded by the GSWEC agencies serving older adults.

Please carefully review the GSWEC Student Practicum Guide for more details. You can also view additional information about GSWEC practicum agencies.

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Kelley Macmillan.