Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium

We are the nation’s first integrated regional network aimed at improving geriatric social work education and field training. Founded in 1998, our 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.

GSWEC was established in 1998 when the John A. Hartford Foundation began funding programs designed to strengthened geriatric social work education, prepare competent social workers, and as a result, improve the care and well-being of older adults and their families.

Our Mission

The Geriatric Social Work Consortium (GSWEC) is a collaborative between Southern California Schools of Social Work and community-based agencies serving older adults and developing strong social work leadership in the field of geriatrics. 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 stipend internships and specialized training.

Our Goals

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 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.

Our Components

These 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