Program Requirements

• Complete an interview designed to assess interest in and level of commitment to public child welfare.

• Pass the DCFS Interview.

• Pass the LA County DCFS hiring standards:

  • Prescreening for county employment including a live scan (fingerprint clearances)

• Enroll In a 0-unit child welfare course sequence:  

  • Child Welfare Foundations I, II, III in the Summer Fall & Spring of the Generalist Foundation Year 

  • (approximately 4 -6 hours per month)

• Adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.

• Maintain a 3.0 grade-point average with a grade of B- or higher in each course.

• Successfully complete and receive a grade of B- or higher in all practicum courses.

• Complete the required DCFS university pre-orientation in August. 

• Complete the required MSW and Specialized Child Welfare curriculum, including:

  • SOCW 537 Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health and Diagnosis

  • SOCW 546 Family Therapy in Context

  • SOCW 541 Capstone Leadership Project with Focus on Child Welfare Population, Issue Area, or Service Delivery System

• Successfully complete the Generalist Foundation Year practicum at a community-based organization.

• Successfully complete the final year of practicum with DCFS.

• Have a valid CA Driver's License and current automobile insurance, and secure the use of a car, as required by practicum.

• Be a U.S. citizen or have permission to legally work in the country.

• Attend specialized training seminars and activities throughout the year.

• Sign an Intern Agreement (contract) to commit to two years of full-time employment with DCFS.

• Repay the stipend if the student is unable to successfully complete any of the program requirements while in the MSW program.

• Repay the stipend if the student is unable to successfully pass DCFS clearances prior to specialization year DCFS Internship. 

• Repay the stipend if the student fails to obtain full-time employment for DCFS post-graduation.