The University of Southern California has cut ties with a controversial online education company that ballooned its social work school’s enrollment to the largest in the world but harmed the program's finances and academic reputation. The university and the for-profit company, 2U Inc.
“Thirteen years ago, it was a great thing, but times change, technology changes,” Papadopolous said of the 2U partnership. Then, USC offered the nation’s only online master’s degree in social work. Now there are dozens throughout the country — at prices that are often far cheaper. In recent years, administrators have pushed to overhaul the school and make it more affordable, slashing tuition by 25% in 2022.