Q: Who is eligible to apply for the GMSW program?
A:  Only legal residents of Taiwan (ROC) are eligible for the GMSW program. Courses are taught in English and Chinese (Mandarin), and the first-year field practicum assignment in Taiwan requires students to be proficient in Mandarin. The second-year field practicum will take place at an English-speaking agency.

Q: Why should I choose USC’s GMSW program?
A:

• School Reputation. The USC School of Social Work has an excellent reputation and is consistently ranked among the top 10 social work graduate programs in the United States (U.S. News and World Report). GMSW graduates receive exactly the same MSW degree awarded to USC MSW graduates.
• Curriculum. GMSW courses are taught in both English and Chinese on two continents. Some courses are taught via distance learning during the first year, with second-year concentration classes offered at the main USC campus in Los Angeles. Two field internships in both Taiwan and Los Angeles enable students to utilize what they learn in the classroom in a professional setting while exposing them to the diversity of populations and treatment issues. GMSW students specialize in Community, Corporate and Organizational Development, preparing them for leadership roles in organizations, health and human services agencies, and corporations.
• Faculty. Distinguished USC and Taiwanese faculty teach GMSW courses. 
• Locations. GMSW students take courses at National Taiwan University, one of the top-ranking universities in Taiwan, according to the Times Higher Education, and USC, one of the world’s leading private research universities.
• World-Famous USC Alumni Network. GMSW graduates gain access to the worldwide network of more than 200,000 living USC alumni in the Trojan Family. This USC extended family is a global network of thousands of alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors and neighborhood partners. But the uniqueness of the Trojan Family isn’t its vast numbers. Rather, it’s the extraordinary closeness and solidarity found in a genuinely supportive community. To its members, the “Trojan Family” is more than a phrase: It represents a commitment to support that is lifelong and worldwide.

Q: As a GMSW applicant, can I apply for a dual degree?
A: No, the GMSW/dual degree option is not available.

Q: Can I apply as a part-time GMSW student?
A: No, GMSW students must enroll full-time and follow the assigned curriculum schedule/program.

Q: When does the program start?
A: Orientation and first-year classes begin in August 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan. Concentration orientation, community immersion and second-year classes start in August 2011.

Q: Can I choose one of the other five MSW concentrations?
A: No, the concentration for the GMSW is pre-selected as the Community, Corporate and Organizational Development concentration.

Q: Can I continue working while completing my field placement?
A: No, GMSW students will be placed in a block field placement during their first year (March-June) for 37.5 hours per week for 12 weeks. GMSW must complete 1,050 field placement hours.

Q: How much does the GMSW program cost?
A: To determine your cost for the year, please reference the 2009-2010 unit charges and multiply the number of units you anticipate enrolling in by the per unit rate, unless you are enrolled in 15-18 units for which you are charged the flat rate. You must add the applicable mandatory fees to your tuition cost to determine your actual fee bill for the year.  

2009-2010 Unit Charges
$1,299 is the per unit rate for students enrolled in 1-14 units.
$19,285 is the flat rate for students enrolled in 15-18 units.

Q: Are student loans or scholarship available for GMSW students?
A: The university does not provide fee waivers to international students. In addition, international students are not eligible for federal or university need-based financial aid from the USC Financial Aid Office. More information and resources are available on the USC Financial Aid Office: International Students page. The School of Social Work offers departmental scholarships to full-time GMSW students based on a combination of individual merit and financial need. These scholarships are available to international students. Scholarship award amounts vary; an average award is $3,000 - $5,000 per year.