Curriculum

Rigorous Coursework

The Master of Social Work degree requires 48 units of course work. The program of study leads to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with a specialization in an area of advanced practice. Course requirements are organized into a generalist curriculum and a specialized practice curriculum. 

The generalist curriculum provides students with knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that prepare them for professional practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

The specialized practice curriculum involves:

• integration of social work knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes
• demonstrated ability to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate across or within client populations' problems areas, and
• methods of intervention. 

Review Full Curriculum Details

Track Options

MSW students also have the option to pursue specialized training along one of the following tracks based on client populations, settings or systems:

• Adult Mental Health & Wellness
• Children, Youth and Families
• Social Change and Innovation
• School and Educational Settings
• Military Populations and Settings

Practicum

Practicum education is essential for social work training, spanning four semesters and integrating community-based placements, classroom instruction, and simulated client training. The school partners with various community agencies and organizations to offer students practical experience that complements their academic learning. Practicum instructors, who are MSWs from either the agency or the school, supervise and teach the students during their placements. Practicum settings are intended to provide a broad range of experiences that assist in the integration of concepts and enhance the workforce. Campus based students are provided two diverse community based placements. These placements, often located in diverse social service agencies, are chosen for their professional quality, commitment to social justice, and ability to support educational goals.

By contrast, online students begin their practicum education with the Virtual Practicum (VFP), which is an online experience that allows students to hone in on practice skills and gain confidence in a controlled secure environment. The Virtual Practicum is 210 hours and take place in the MSW’s intimate virtual classroom. While in a small group session and under the supervision of a USC professor, students have an opportunity to work with an actor who plays the role of a client in crisis, in real time! This gives students the opportunity to perfect their craft right out of the gate. Once students have established a foundation online, they will complete an in-person, community-based placement that will develop your clinical skills and prepare them to work in a range of settings for a total of 890 hours. By end of the program, both students online and on campus will have completed a total of 1200 hours, 1100 hours during the practicum, and 100 hours during seminar hours.

Download Practicum Education Manual (PDF)

Learning Options

Our MSW program offers in-person, online, and hybrid learning options to accommodate student preferences. In-person learning provides synchronous learning, immediate feedback, and access to campus resources. Online learning offers flexibility, asynchronous and synchronous learning, and diverse interactions. Hybrid learning combines the best of both, providing structured in-person courses in the first year and flexible online courses in the second year, ensuring a balanced and varied learning experience. Each format is designed to cater to different learning styles and life circumstances, ensuring that all students can achieve their educational goals effectively.