Innovative Community Engagement with Vulnerable Populations : Online and Extended Programs : Texas State University

School of Social Work
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Courses: SOWK 4300K (undergraduate) or SOWK 5300K (graduate): Innovative Community Engagement with Vulnerable Populations
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Lea Velez, lrr26@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer II, June 30 - July 31, 2026
Travel: July 5 - 11, 2026
Program Fee: $1,900
Course Tuition: Undergraduate $1,068.24, Graduate $1,289.58
*Financial Aid eligible

Program Itinerary

This hybrid, service-learning, Study-in-America course will require students to identify, examine, and critically analyze social service programs in Central Texas and Los Angeles, California which provide services to vulnerable populations (persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, criminal justice issues, etc). Additional components of the course include: 1) required travel to various agencies, communities, and areas of interest throughout Texas; 2) required travel to specific agencies and communities in Los Angeles, California; and 3) active participation in service-learning/volunteer activities within several community agencies. The impact of socio-economic and community-based social justice issues is analyzed within the context of human development over the course of life with an emphasis on the impact of positive individual and community development. Cultural dynamics are examined in conjunction with issues of equity, justice, and community service provision. This course is designed to be highly experiential and demands thought, empathy, and action that should be both challenging and rewarding.

Date	Activities
Sunday, July 5	Travel to Los Angeles. Students are expected to arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 6	Homeboy Industries and Skid Row: These two excursions will provide opportunities for students to learn more about interdisciplinary networking, service provision, and innovation from the lens of criminal justice, poverty, housing insecurity, and resources.
Tuesday, July 7	Wellnest: We will visit three sites each providing mental health services and/or housing resources for children, families, and youth who have aged out of foster care. Housing services, mental health resources, and leadership will be examined.
Wednesday, July 8	Lectures at University of Southern California: Students will participate in lectures with faculty from USC on juvenile justice issues, social service allocation, and policy analysis and formation.
Thursday, July 9	PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): We will visit two PATH sites, assisting with services as part of the service learning component of the course.
Friday, July 10	Homeboy Art Academy and Santa Monica Pier: Students will learn about innovative programming with youth and the formally incarcerated, while visiting with Homeboy Art Academy. Santa Monica Pier is a recreational outing for the students on the final full day of the travel portion of the course.
Saturday, July 11	Travel home.

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 1

Complete SIA student application. Deadline is February 1, 2026.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Directors & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 22, 2026.

STEP 4

Program FAQ

TXST students make breakfast for PATH veteran's agency in Los Angeles

Expand FAQ List

General Information
- Who is eligible to participate in the program?
  
  This program is open to all majors. Priority will be given to Social Work majors and minors.
- Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
  
  Course instruction before and after travel will be online asynchronous. A final project presentation will be in person on the San Marcos campus.
Costs
- What is included in the program fee?
  The program fee includes:
  - Lodging
  - Breakfast and dinner throughout the duration of the trip.
  - On-site transportation
  - All program activities
  - TXST t-shirts to wear during agency visits.
- What is NOT included in the program fee?
  The program fee does not include:
  - Airfare
  - Lunch throughout the duration of the trip.
  - Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
  - Course tuition.
  *Per OXP policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel.
- What is the program deposit?
  
  Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
- Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
  
  Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
Program Preparation
- Will I need to provide my transportation?
  
  Students are responsible for purchasing airfare to/from Los Angeles, CA, and transportation to/from LAX to USC.
- Is there a dress code for specific visits?
  
  Yes, students will be provided with TXST t-shirts to wear on agency visits.
- Will there be downtime on the trip?
  
  This program has a very packed schedule, downtime will be limited.
Drop & Refund Policy
- Course Tuition Refund
  
  Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
- SIA Program Fee Refund
  
  Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs. See full drop/refund policy.
  Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.