Apply Now for 2024

Fall 2024 On-Campus MSW Application Main Deadline: April 1, 2024

New Student Checklist - International Students (Fall 2023)

Prepare for Graduate School Success

We have created this detailed checklist to help you prepare for your first semester at USC. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at applymsw@usc.edu.

Confirm Your Enrollment

Step Details Due Date
Sign the Intent to Enroll Form (DocuSign) and Pay the $280 Commitment Deposit

The Office of Admissions emailed you a DocuSign packet. Sign and initial each section, then pay the non-refundable $280 commitment deposit using a credit or debit card. 

This payment secures your place in the program and provides the required malpractice insurance coverage for field placement. $200 of this deposit will be applied towards your tuition after the add/drop deadline. 

Questions? Contact the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Office of Admissions at applymsw@usc.edu. 


Your payment deadline is listed in your DocuSign packet. 
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). 

Guidelines for Submitting Financial Support 

Questions? Contact the USC Office of Graduate Admission at http://ask.usc.edu/app/ask. 

Students are encouraged to submit their financial documents as soon as possible. The final deadline is May 2023.
Certify and Obtain U.S. Visa After you have certified your enrollment, you will receive detailed instructions regarding the visa application process, along with their I-20/DS-2019.For more detailed information, please refer to your ITE (Admissions Decision Letter). Students will not be able to certify their enrollment or obtain their U.S. Visa until they have submitted proof of financial support. 
Activate your USC Email Account

Wait 48 hours after completing the Statement of Intent through YouSC, then activate your USC email account. Regularly check your USC email account for updates about scholarships, field placement, registration, and new student programs.

Activate NetID

Accessing your USC Email on a Mobile Device 

Questions? Contact USC Information Technology Services at 213-740-5555 or consult@usc.edu. 

 

 

Submit  Practicum Placement Form (4 Semester Students Only)

Step Details Due Date
Submit your practicum placement form

Complete the Practicum Placement Form so that the Practicum Education Office can begin to place you in your first-year internship. You must provide your local (Los Angeles) address. If you do not have a local address yet, please notify the Practicum Education Office directly once you have a local address.

Field Placement Form

Questions? Contact the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Practicum Education Office at sswfield@usc.edu. 

Due 5 days after paying your commitment deposit. 

Apply for Stipends and Scholarships

Step Details Due Date
Apply for Endowed and Philanthropic Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer several scholarships based on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and financial need. These scholarships are awarded to students who meet the specific criteria of each donor fund. You can apply for over 20 Endowed and Philanthropic Scholarships using a single application.

Please note:
All scholarship applications will stay on file for a full academic year and students may be awarded at any time throughout the academic year.
Only students awarded will be notified, no denial emails will be sent.

Endowed and Philanthropic Scholarship Application

Questions? Contact the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Office of Admissions at applymsw@usc.edu. 

Ongoing
Apply for Stipends

The workforce development and stipend programs at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offer MSW students the opportunity to specialize in an area of practice where there is a high need for qualified social workers. Students can apply to a stipend program(s) from an area(s) of focus based on their interests. Stipend programs differ in length, funding, requirements, and competitive application processes.

Stipend Programs Information

Questions? Contact the stipend program administrator listed on the Stipend Programs Information website. 

Each stipend has a separate application deadline published on the Stipend Programs Website.

Apply for USC Housing (Optional)

Step Details Due Date
Apply for USC Housing

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-serve basis based on the date of the housing application. There is a $55 non-refundable application fee and no obligation to enter a housing contract if offered housing. 

Social Work Housing Program

Questions? Contact USC Housing at housing@usc.edu or (800) 872-4632 and mention the “Social Work Student Housing Program”.

Priority will be given to Social Work Graduate applicants who apply by May 3, 2023

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.

Complete the Required International Student English (ISE) Exam

Step Details Due Date
Register for the ISE Exam  
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. Students should schedule to take this exam 1-2 weeks prior to the semester starting.
 
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).
 

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.

 

Attend Admitted Student Events

Step Details Due Date
Attend an upcoming event

The Office of Admissions regularly hosts events for admitted students to connect with classmates, meet representatives from different university departments, and learn about the three departments of study. Check your USC email account for invitations to events. 

Ongoing

Complete Student Health Requirements

Step Details Due Date
Learn about health insurance and waivers 

All students who enroll for 6 or more units will automatically be enrolled in the 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 they register for courses. 

USC Student Health Insurance Waiver Requirements 

Questions? Contact the USC Student Health at 213-740-9355 or studenthealth@usc.edu. 

Due September 2023
Submit immunization records

USC requires that all students receive two does of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine), or show proof of measles and mumps immunity, priority to their first semester of enrollment at USC. You can submit records directly to USC Student Health using MySHR. 

Immunization Record Requirements 

MySHR Student Health Portal

Questions? Contact the USC Student Health at 213-740-9355 or studenthealth@usc.edu. 

Due September 2023

Prepare for the First Day of Classes

Step Details Due Date
Obtain your USC ID card

You may request a USCard after you register for classes.

Request a USCard

Questions? Contact the USCard Services at uscard@usc.edu or 213-740-8709. 


Available after you register for classes, before the first day of classes. 
Settle your tuition bill

Visit the Student Financial Services website to learn about options to settle your bill, including payment plans or online payments.

Student Financial Services 

Questions? Contact Student Financial Services at 213-740-7471 or cashier@usc.edu

Due the Friday before classes begin.
Sign up for eRefund (Direct Deposit)

If you have a credit balance on your account, you may be eligible for a refund. To receive a refund, you must log in to USCe.pay and sign up for direct deposit if you have not already done so.

Questions? Contact Student Financial Services at 213-740-7471 or cashier@usc.edu

 
Attend International Student Orientation (Required)  Register for classes during the required orientation program for international students.   
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.

Office of Orientation Programs 

Questions? Contact the USC Office of Orientation Programs at orient@usc.edu or 213-740-7767.

August 2023
Attend the MSW Program Orientation The Master of Social Work program hosts a program orientation the week before classes begin. More details will be announced closer to August.  TBD