New Students
Welcome to the Trojan Family
Welcome to the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. To make your transition to USC as smooth as possible we encourage you to review the new student checklist for your program.
New Student Checklists
Getting Started
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Sign your Intent to Enroll form and pay your non-refundable $280 commitment deposit via DocuSign This deposit covers a $200 commitment deposit (which will be credited to your account upon starting the program) and $80 deposit to pay for malpractice insurance. If you will not be attending the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, please fill out the DocuSign email you received indicating that you will not be attending USC. Please let us know where/if you will be attending another school. We greatly appreciate any feedback to help us improve the experience of our applicants. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Complete your Statement of Intent through YouSC Register for a YouSC account using the email address you used on your application. Log in, then click Decision Status, then click Complete Your Statement of Intent Here. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Activate your USC email account Regularly check your USC email for updates about scholarships, field placement, registration, and new student programs. |
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Accessible 48 hours after completing your Statement of Intent on YouSC |
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USC Housing has reserved a limited number of shared graduate housing accommodations for MSW students. Spaces in the program will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis based on application date. There is a $55 non-refundable application fee and no obligation to enter a housing contract. For more information, contact USC Housing and mention the Social Work Student Housing Program. |
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Priority will be given to students submitting their applications to USC Housing by May 1, 2020 |
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All students must submit this form to the Field Education department to be placed in an internship. Your admission to the program is not confirmed until this form is received. Failure to submit the form within 2 weeks may result in the withdrawal of your admission. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form These forms must be completed in order to receive a financial aid package from USC. |
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Due May 2020 |
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Complete the Financial Aid Supplement Students must fill out this form, even if you plan to not live in on-campus housing. Log on to YouSC and access the Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) page. |
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Due May 2020 |
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Learn about health insurance and waivers All students who register for 6 units or more will be automatically enrolled in USC Student Health Insurance plan. The premium will be added to your USC bill. Students already enrolled in an insurance plan that meets USC’s requirements can request a waiver after course registration. |
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Students may request an insurance waiver after course registration |
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Submit immunization records USC requires that all students receive two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, or show proof of measles and mumps immunity, prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. In order to submit your immunization records all students who have confirmed their acceptance and have a valid USC email account must log in to MySHR. |
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Due September 2020 |
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Complete stipend applications (full-time students only) The public child welfare stipend is available for incoming first-year students in the Children, Youth and Families department. |
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Public Child Welfare Stipend application due May 2020 |
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Join us for Summer Welcome, an informal gathering offers new students the opportunity to mingle with current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Your invitations will be sent to your USC email address. |
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Summer 2020 - Date To Be Announced |
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Important: You will receive specific registration information and instructions from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work directly. Register on your day and time to get the best selection of courses. |
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June-July 2020 |
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You may upload a photo to the USCard website. |
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After you register for classes and before the first day of classes |
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Visit Student Financial Services to set up a payment plan or online payments. |
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August; Friday before classes begin |
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Attend USC Orientation (Optional) Familiarize yourself with campus and learn about university-wide resources available to you as a graduate student, such as Public Safety, Libraries, and Dining. RSVP is required. |
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August 2020 |
Getting Started
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Sign your Intent to Enroll form and pay your non-refundable $280 commitment deposit via DocuSign This deposit covers a $200 commitment deposit (which will be credited to your account upon starting the program) and $80 deposit to pay for malpractice insurance. If you will not be attending the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, please fill out the DocuSign email you received indicating that you will not be attending USC. Please let us know where/if you will be attending another school. We greatly appreciate any feedback to help us improve the experience of our applicants. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Complete your Statement of Intent through YouSC Register for a YouSC account using the email address you used on your application. Log in, then click Decision Status, then click Complete Your Statement of Intent Here. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Activate your USC email account Regularly check your USC email for updates about scholarships, field placement, registration, and new student programs. |
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Accessible 48 hours after completing your Statement of Intent on YouSC |
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USC Housing has reserved a limited number of shared graduate housing accommodations for MSW students. Spaces in the program will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis based on application date. There is a $55 non-refundable application fee and no obligation to enter a housing contract. For more information, contact USC Housing and mention the Social Work Student Housing Program. |
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Priority will be given to students submitting their applications to USC Housing by May 1, 2020 |
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All students must submit this form to the Field Education department to be placed in an internship. Your admission to the program is not confirmed until this form is received. Failure to submit the form within 2 weeks may result in the withdrawal of your admission. |
|
Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form These forms must be completed in order to receive a financial aid package from USC. |
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Due April 2020 |
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Complete the Financial Aid Supplement Students must fill out this form, even if you plan to not live in on-campus housing. Log on to YouSC and access the Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) page. |
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Due April 2020 |
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Learn about health insurance and waivers All students who register for 6 units or more will be automatically enrolled in USC Student Health Insurance plan. The premium will be added to your USC bill. Students already enrolled in an insurance plan that meets USC’s requirements can request a waiver after course registration. |
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Students may request an insurance waiver after course registration |
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Submit immunization records USC requires that all students receive two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, or show proof of measles and mumps immunity, prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. In order to submit your immunization records all students who have confirmed their acceptance and have a valid USC email account must log in to MySHR. |
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Due April 2020 |
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Join us for Summer Welcome, an informal gathering offers new students the opportunity to mingle with current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Your invitations will be sent to your USC email address. |
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Summer 2020 - Date To Be Announced |
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Important: You will receive specific registration information and instructions from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work directly. Register on your day and time to get the best selection of courses. |
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April-May 2020 |
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You may upload a photo to the USCard website. |
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After you register for classes and before the first day of classes |
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Visit Student Financial Services to set up a payment plan or online payments. |
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May 2020 |
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Attend USC Orientation (Optional) Familiarize yourself with campus and learn about university-wide resources available to you as a graduate student, such as Public Safety, Libraries, and Dining. RSVP is required. |
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August 2020 |
Getting Started
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Sign your Intent to Enroll form and pay your non-refundable $280 commitment deposit via DocuSign This deposit covers a $200 commitment deposit (which will be credited to your account upon starting the program) and $80 deposit to pay for malpractice insurance. If you will not be attending the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, please fill out the DocuSign email you received indicating that you will not be attending USC. Please let us know where/if you will be attending another school. We greatly appreciate any feedback to help us improve the experience of our applicants. |
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
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Submit Proof of Financial Support Please submit your financial documents once you have received your 10-digit USC ID. The USC ID must be written on all documents and included in all communication. Please upload your financial documents in either PDF or JPG format. For more detailed instructions on how to complete this task, please refer to your ITE (Admissions Decision Letter) |
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Students are encouraged to submit their financial documents as soon as possible. The final deadline is May 2020. |
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After you have certified your enrollment, you will receive detailed instructions regarding the visa application process, along with their I-20/DS-2019. I-20/DS-2019 related questions should be submitted to usci20@usc.edu. For more detailed information, please refer to your ITE (Admissions Decision Letter). |
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Students will not be able to certify their enrollment or obtain their U.S. Visa until they have submitted proof of financial support. Submit step 2 before completing this step. |
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Activate your USC email account Regularly check your USC email for updates about scholarships, field placement, registration, and new student programs. |
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Accessible 48 hours after completing your Statement of Intent on YouSC |
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USC Housing has reserved a limited number of shared graduate housing accommodations for MSW students. Spaces in the program will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis based on application date. There is a $55 non-refundable application fee and no obligation to enter a housing contract. For more information, contact USC Housing and mention the Social Work Student Housing Program. |
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Students are encouraged to explore housing starting from the time they are admitted. We advise students to give themselves enough time to move and settle in, so they are able to take the ISE exam and attend orientation. Note: The ISE exam is taken 1-2 weeks prior to the semester starting and International Student Orientation will take place the week prior to the semester starting. Priority will be given to students submitting their applications to USC Housing by May 1, 2020 |
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All students must submit this form to the Field Education department to be placed in an internship. Your admission to the program is not confirmed until this form is received. Failure to submit the form within 2 weeks may result in the withdrawal of your admission.
|
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Due 2 weeks after the admission decision |
|
Learn about health insurance and waivers All students who register for 6 units or more will be automatically enrolled in USC Student Health Insurance plan. The premium will be added to your USC bill. Students already enrolled in an insurance plan that meets USC’s requirements can request a waiver after course registration. |
|
Students may request an insurance waiver after course registration |
|
USC requires that all students receive two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, or show proof of measles and mumps immunity, prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. In order to submit your immunization records all students who have confirmed their acceptance and have a valid USC email account must log in to MySHR. |
|
Due September 2020 |
|
Join us for Summer Welcome, an informal gathering offers new students the opportunity to mingle with current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Your invitations will be sent to your USC email address. |
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Summer 2020 - Date To Be Announced |
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Students must register for the ISE exam in July. Time slots get filled up fast, therefore we encourage students to register as soon as possible. Student should schedule to take this exam 1-2 weeks prior to the semester starting. |
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Take the ISE Exam All International students are required to take the International Student English (ISE) Examination, administered by the USC Center for Testing and Assessment. The results on the examination will determine whether or not students must take special English courses offered through the American Language Institute (ALI) at USC. This will also determine which program length you must follow. For more detailed information, please refer to your ITE (Admissions Decision Letter). |
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This is taken 1-2 weeks prior to the semester starting. Note: We must have your ISE exam results prior to registering you for classes during International Student Orientation. |
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Complete Online New Student Orientation Course Students complete an online orientation course for the USC MSW program. In this course, students watch videos to learn about what to expect, resources and more. |
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August 2020 |
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Attend MSW Orientation (Optional) Familiarize yourself with all the resources you have here at the School of Social Work. Students are welcomed into the school, they dine, meet their student organization and attend a resource fair. |
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August 2020 |
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International Student Orientation and Registration (Mandatory) MSW classes start for Fall 2020 on August 24, 2020. The MSW experience begins with an orientation which will be held the week before classes for all incoming students. |
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You may upload a photo to the USCard website. |
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After you register for classes and before the first day of classes |
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Visit Student Financial Services to set up a payment plan or online payments. |
|
August; Friday before classes begin |
|
Attend USC Orientation (Optional) Familiarize yourself with campus and learn about university-wide resources available to you as a graduate student, such as Public Safety, Libraries, and Dining. RSVP is required. |
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August 2020 |
Student Resources
The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers various scholarships to entering students. We offer merit and need-based awards. For more information, visit the Paying For Your Degree web page. You may also contact your admissions counselor.
As a student at USC you are obligated to have healthcare coverage during your enrollment in the program. You will automatically be enrolled in the university healthcare plan.
However, you will be given the opportunity to opt out of the USC plan via waiver if you have your own healthcare plan that meets USC standards.
Please visit the USC Student Health website for additional information on rates, waivers and policies.
In the event of an emergency, please call the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 213.740.4321.
For non-emergencies, call DPS at 213.740.6000.
To learn more about the Mobile Safety App, Trojan Text Alerts, and Campus Cruiser, visit safety.usc.edu.
The USC Trojan Transportation Office is located at McCarthy Way Parking Structure at UPC. For information on parking permits and tram schedules, call 213.740.3575 or go to usc.edu/transportation.
Take the Metrolink or the Metrorail subway system from your home to Union Station. From there, USC provides free shuttles to campus roughly every 25-30 minutes.
For local Metro riders, there are two stops just off campus (Flower/Jefferson and Flower/Exposition).
For information on Los Angeles trains and buses, please visit metro.net.
I paid my commitment deposit, but decided to attend another school. Is it refundable?
No, the commitment deposit is non-refundable.
What if I cannot attend summer welcome in June?
Summer welcome is not a mandatory event, rather, an event to meet fellow MSW students. If you cannot attend, there is no penalty, nor will you miss any crucial information regarding the program.
When will I be notified about my field placement?
Notification of placements are sent via email during August 2020.
Do I have an advisor?
All incoming students who have questions regarding registration and course selection may contact the Office of Academic and Student Services at sswreg@usc.edu.