‘Mentally Demanding’: Master’s of Social Work Program Causes Students to Hold a Walkout
USC Annenberg Media • By Nicole Santos, Sophia Ketterer, and Tatiana Sataua • April 13, 2023
“Master’s students in the USC Dworak-Peck School of Social Work walked out of their class on Tuesday to protest unpaid internships and long hours.
With some students forced to find outside employment to supplement their graduate work, protesters hope to raise awareness about the changes that need to be made in the social work program.
Marisa Vasquez, a first-year graduate student in the master’s of social work program, said students are required to take about more than six credits of classes and intern for about 20 hours per week.
‘Not only are we required to do full classes but we also have to do a hands-on internship experience,’ Vasquez said. ‘And as you’re aware, it’s unpaid.’”
