GSWEC Program

The Southern California Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC)

The Southern California Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) is the nation’s first integrated regional network aimed at improving geriatric social work education and field training. This inter-organizational collaboration currently involves eight Southern California Schools of Social Work and twelve non-profit agencies comprising our Centers of Excellence where internship field placements occur.

 

Goals of the Consortium

The overarching goal of GSWEC’s internship program is to increase the number of students who specialize in working with older adults by developing “aging- rich” field internships in the graduate social work education programs within both Los Angeles and Orange County. Ultimately the goal is also to increase the number of social workers who are prepared to be leaders in the field of aging. The program is available to MSW students who are entering their second internship as required for their degree.

 

Components of the Program

The following five components provide an integrated, coordinated, and comprehensive program designed to attract students to geriatric social work practice, and to educate them to demonstrate expertise in working with older adults:

• The University-Community Partnership
• Expanded Role for the Field Instructor
• Competency Based Education
• Field Rotations
• Student Recruitment

 

GSWEC Stipends Program

Teaching to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) geriatric core competencies and selecting top tier and motivated students, GSWEC strives to develop highly skilled geriatric social workers by providing internships with stipends and specialized training. To date, there have been 750 GSWEC graduates. The educational partners in GSWEC include the outstanding social work programs at these universities:

• Azusa Pacific University
• California State University, Dominguez Hills
• California State University, Fullerton
• California State University, Long Beach
• California State University, Los Angeles
• California State University, Northridge
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Southern California

 

For students – For detailed information about the program, including the diverse opportunities offered by GSWEC partner agencies, please see the  2021 GSWEC Student Guide .