Helping Positive Change Take Root in Your Community


According to the National Association of Social Workers, by 2018, the U.S. will require an additional 100,000 social workers to meet the growing needs of the population. To help address this workforce shortage, (agency name) is partnering with the University of Southern California School of Social Work. Through this partnership, (agency name)willact as a field placement agencyfor students in the MSW@USC program, USC’s web-based Master of Social Work program. We are excited to work with USC to help positive change take root right here in our own community. Currently, USC partners with more than 1,300 field placement agencies across the nation.

It's a Win-Win

We see many benefits to taking part in USC’s unique web-based MSW program. The USC School of Social Work, which is top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report, offers us access to high-quality social work students who are ready to make a difference. Since those students live right in our community, it's likely they will stay and use their skills at home after graduation. The notion of growing our own talent takes on a special meaning.

Benefits to agencies:

  • Gain access to students dedicated to the social work profession to augment services
  • Teach social work students who are ready to make a difference in our local community
  • Hire MSW graduates from a top-ranked school

Benefits to students:

  • Earn a top-ranked MSW degree without relocating
  • Provide direct services to clients using different modalities
  • Assess, develop and evaluate services to address the needs of the community

Experienced social workers in the community have the opportunity to serve as field instructors and take part in a fulfilling endeavor that gives back to the social work profession. Many find the experience renews their commitment to their career. (Current field instructor name), who serves as a field instructor at (agency name), said, "This experience has been enriching for my career and has helped me develop better skills in the areas of supervision, case consultation, and staff support. It is truly inspiring to experience my job through the 'fresh eyes' of a student, and challenging to find answers to questions I had never thought to ask."

How It Works

To become part of the MSW@USC placement network, your agency musthave a commitment to social justice, an interest in participating in professional education and the ability to make personnel and agency resources available for student learning. For more information and details about joining the USC Field Education Network for students interested in pursuing an MSW@USC degree, visit or contact (local agency person).