Campus Files: Trojan Course – A Deep Dive into USC's Hidden Social Work Program

Episode Release Date: April 16, 2025
Host: Margo Gray
Podcast Series: Campus Files by Audacy

Introduction

In the "Trojan Course" episode of Campus Files, host Margo Gray uncovers a troubling内幕 within the University of Southern California's (USC) prestigious online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The episode follows Evan, a graduate whose journey reveals systemic deception and exploitative practices orchestrated by a for-profit company, 2U.

Evan's Background and Educational Journey

Timestamp: [01:42]

Evan’s story begins in Nashville, Tennessee, where he navigated a challenging public school environment as an openly gay student. Attending Martin Luther King Jr. High School, Evan faced severe bullying and limited resources, shaping his resilience and dedication to mental health advocacy.

"Growing up gay in this kind of poor southern public school context, it was tough," Evan shares ([04:14]).

Despite these obstacles, Evan excelled academically, eventually earning a degree in philosophy and religious studies from UC Santa Barbara in 2019. His passion for mental health led him to pursue a career as a therapist, necessitating an MSW degree.

Enrollment in USC's MSW Program

Timestamp: [06:14]

In his quest for further education, Evan applied to USC's MSW program, renowned as one of the oldest and most selective in the country. The program’s online format promised flexibility without compromising academic rigor, boasting a 15-18% acceptance rate ([09:12]).

Evan recounts his positive interactions with an admissions counselor who built a strong rapport with him, sharing personal details to foster trust ([08:04]).

"I was thinking like, oh my gosh, she is like one of the nicest people I've ever met," Evan reflects ([08:40]).

Financial and Academic Challenges

Timestamp: [12:03]

Upon acceptance, Evan faced the daunting financial burden of over $110,000 for the two-year program. Despite expressing his financial insecurities, the admissions counselor assured him that financial aid would cover his loans, urging him to accept promptly to secure funding ([12:30]).

However, Evan's optimism waned when:

• Financial Aid Issues: His financial aid package never materialized, and his attempts to contact the financial aid office were met with silence ([13:34]).

• Academic Discrepancies: Professors taught inaccurate and superficial content without the expected academic depth. Evan observed, "They were just reading through lecture notes aloud. But they didn't study this in like a PhD program," highlighting the lack of qualified faculty ([14:28]).

• Unmet Promises: Resources such as a WeWork office space and robust career counseling were never provided. Clinical internships, a cornerstone of the program, were subpar for most students, emphasizing paperwork over practical experience ([16:09]).

Evan notes the overwhelming debt burden faced by his peers, particularly affecting women balancing motherhood and education, leading to widespread frustration and burnout ([17:21]).

Discovery of 2U's Involvement

Timestamp: [21:08]

Determined to address these issues, Evan escalated his concerns within the university administration. In a pivotal meeting, a high-ranking USC official revealed a startling truth:

"The entire program was being run by a for-profit company called 2U," explains Margo Gray ([21:24]).

2U, an Online Program Manager (OPM), was responsible for managing USC's online MSW program, effectively operating it independently from USC’s direct oversight. This arrangement meant:

• Different Standards: The online program had distinct professors, curricula, and admission standards, diverging sharply from USC’s traditional offerings ([21:43]).

• Deceptive Practices: Students were misled into believing they were enrolled directly with USC, unaware of 2U's profit-driven motives. Admissions counselors from 2U used USC branding to gain trust, manipulating students into expensive enrollments without transparent disclosure ([22:42]).

Aftermath and Legal Action

Timestamp: [25:17]

Evan’s revelation sparked a wave of similar complaints from fellow students, leading to a Wall Street Journal investigation that confirmed USC's deceptive partnership with 2U. The investigation highlighted how 2U targeted low-income individuals for federal aid benefits, prioritizing profit over genuine educational outcomes.

Eileen Connor, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending (PPSL), emphasizes the exploitative nature of such partnerships:

"Something's predatory when it's structured in a way that the person making the loan can only win and the person who's taking out the loan has all of the risk," Connor explains ([26:30]).

In response, PPSL filed a class action lawsuit against USC, aiming to hold the university accountable for misleading students and perpetuating predatory lending practices.

Evan actively joined this lawsuit, alongside hundreds of others who felt deceived by USC’s promises.

Conclusion and Broader Implications

Timestamp: [33:14]

As Evan transitions to his career as a therapist, independently studying to meet licensing requirements, the fallout from the scandal continues. USC terminated its partnership with 2U in late 2023, yet 2U remains active, launching new online programs with other institutions ([33:14]).

Margo Gray reflects on the broader implications for higher education:

"When we can't trust any institutions anymore... higher education is in the crosshairs," she remarks ([31:00]).

The episode underscores a critical issue in modern academia: the increasing prevalence of for-profit entities like 2U exploiting students through deceptive practices masked under reputable university names. This erosion of trust threatens the foundational integrity of educational institutions, urging a reevaluation of partnerships and transparency in higher education.

Notable Quotes

• Evan on Program Deception:
  "I had just been consistently gaslit for so long and I knew in my heart something was wrong and I finally got the answers I wanted." ([22:42])

• Eileen Connor on Predatory Lending:
  "It's likely that they're going to fail, that they're not going to be able to repay that loan. And that's exactly how it played out for Evan." ([27:15])

• Margo Gray on Institutional Trust:
  "I feel a lot of sadness at what they're throwing away and what it will mean for us when we can't trust any institutions anymore." ([31:30])

Final Thoughts

"Trojan Course" serves as a cautionary tale about the hidden dangers within higher education’s evolving landscape. By exposing USC’s covert collaboration with 2U, Campus Files highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability to protect students from predatory practices. Evan's journey from hopeful graduate to advocate for change exemplifies the resilience required to confront institutional malfeasance and strive for a more equitable educational system.

For more stories on educational scandals and institutional misconduct, explore Seasons 1-3 of Gangster Capitalism available in this podcast feed.