USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

MSW graduates celebrate in front of Tommy Trojan.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is a leader in social work and education, training and research. These MSW graduates celebrate in front of Tommy Trojan.
Photos by Wallis Photo LLC.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work champions social change for the well-being of individuals, families and communities through innovative teaching of evidence-based practice and practice-based skills, pioneering transformative research and cultivating leadership for social change. The school’s programs equip students with a broad background of knowledge about health and social welfare problems, programs, services and policies designed to prevent and address those problems and existing and emergent trends and issues. Across all programs, students are professionalized and encouraged to develop professional philosophies and approaches that are in harmony with the basic tenets of their chosen professions. At the same time, students share the desire and calling to prevent and mitigate severe social and health problems that challenge the viability of complex community settings; to build on the strengths of individuals, families and communities; and to lead the scholarly search for innovative, efﬁcacious and just solutions.

Montgomery Ross Fisher Building
Main: (213) 740-2711
Admissions: (213) 740-2013
FAX: (213) 740-0789

Email: sdp.enroll@usc.edu
dworakpeck.usc.edu

Administration

Vassilios Papadopoulos, PhD, Interim Dean

Devon Brooks, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Michael Hurlburt, PhD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Kim Price, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

Eric Rice, PhD, Associate Dean for Research

Ruth Supranovich, EdD, Associate Dean for Community and Clinical Programs

Anne Marie Yamada, PhD, Associate Dean for Organizational Culture and Well-Being

Omar Lopez, MSW, Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Workforce Development

Joshua Watson, EdD, Assistant Dean for Student Life and Engagement

Jungeun Olivia Lee, PhD, Director, PhD Program

John Clapp, PhD, Director, DSW Program

Jennifer Lewis, PhD, Director, MSW Program

Umeka Franklin, EdD, Director, BSW Program

Michelle Zappas, DNP, Director, MSN Program

Faculty

Margaret W. Driscoll/Louise M. Clevenger Professor in Social Policy and Administration: María P. Aranda, PhD

Frances L. and Albert G. Feldman Professor of Social Policy and Health; Director, Homelessness Policy Research Institute: Benjamin Henwood, PhD

Dean’s Professor of Social Work and Business: Michàlle E. Mor Barak, PhD

Richard M. and Ann L. Thor Professor in Urban Social Development: Suzanne Wenzel, PhD

Lenore Stein-Wood and William S. Wood Professor of School Behavioral Health: John Clapp, PhD

John Milner Professor of Social Work: Yuri Jang, PhD

Professors: Carl Castro, PhD; Yuri Jang, PhD; Eric Rice, PhD

Associate Professors: John Blosnich, PhD; Devon Brooks, PhD; Julie Cederbaum, PhD; Daniel Hackman, PhD; Michael Hurlburt, PhD; Jane Lee, PhD; Jungeun Olivia Lee, PhD; Shinyi Wu, PhD; Ann Marie Yamada, PhD

Assistant Professors: Hans Oh, PhD; Gabriel Robles, PhD

Teaching and Practicum Education Professors: Rosemary Alamo, DBH; Rafael Angulo, MSW; Juan Araque, PhD; Margarita Artavia, MSW; Annalisa Enrile, PhD; Kim Goodman, MSW; Suh Chen Hsiao, DPPD; Stephen Hydon, EdD; Dawn Joosten-Hagye, PhD; Jennifer Lewis, PhD; Omar Lopez, MSW; Tyan Parker Dominguez, PhD; Melissa Singh, EdD; Renee Smith-Maddox, PhD; Ruth Supranovich, EdD; Lisa Wobbe-Veit, MSW

Teaching and Practicum Education Associate Professors: Estela Andujo, MSW; David Bringhurst, PhD; Danielle Brown, MSW; Sarah Caliboso-Soto, EdD; Ruth Cislowski, MSW; Kerry Doyle, MSW; Umeka Franklin, EdD; Laura Gale, EdD; Susan Hess, MSW; Harry Hunter, Jr., PhD; Jane James, JD; Terri Lee, MSW; Jenebah Lewis, MSW; Kelley Macmillan, PhD; Sam Mistrano, JD; Aimee Odette, DSW; Ricardo Ornelas, DBH; Christina Paddock, DPPD; Jennifer Parga, MSW; Lily Ross, EdD; Cynthia Sanchez, DNP; Sara Schwartz, PhD; Michal Sela-Amit, PhD; Holly Priebe Sotelo, DPPD; Vivien Villaverde, MSW; Benita Walton-Moss, PhD; Deborah Waters-Roman, EdD; June Wiley, PhD; Kathleen Woodruff, DNP; Michelle Zappas, DNP

Teaching and Practicum Education Assistant Professors: Alison Cole-Kelley, MSW; Marco Formigoni, DSW; Robert Hernandez, DSW; Cynthia Juarez, MSW; Christina Rheingold, MSW; Audrey Shelby, MSW

Senior Lecturers and Lecturers: Cassandra Fatouros, MSW/MBA; Iris Gonzalez-Thrash, MSW; Sara Jimenez McSweyn, MSW; Richard Newmyer, MSW; Dorothy Nieto Manzer, MSW; Cynthia Rollo-Carlson, MSW

Research Professor: Sara Kintzle, PhD

Research Associate Professors: Andrea Eastman, PhD; John Prindle, PhD

Emeriti Faculty: Hazel Atuel, PhD; Judith Axonovitz; Concepcion Barrio, PhD; John Brekke, PhD; Iris Chi, DSW; Anne Katz, PhD; Helen Land, PhD; Martha Lyon-Levine; Paul Maiden, PhD; Jacqueline McCroskey, DSW, MSW; Ferol Mennen, PhD; Renee Michelsen, MSW; Janet Schneiderman, PhD; Barbara Solomon, DSW; Avelardo Valdez, PhD; Doni Whitsett, PhD; Marleen Wong, PhD

Degree and Minor Programs

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers multiple degree programs that lead to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work, or Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP), as well as graduate certificate and specialized certification programs. The school also offers a Social Work and Juvenile Justice undergraduate minor.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program (beginning AY 2026-2027) prepares culturally competent, ethical and service-oriented generalist social workers to address the needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities within a global society. Emphasizing human rights, social change and interprofessional collaboration, the program equips students with essential skills in engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation while fostering critical thinking, ethical practice and advocacy for social change. Students complete 128 units, including 48 in the social work major, comprising prerequisite courses, core course work, one elective, practicum seminars and 440 hours of supervised field experience. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required in program courses, along with demonstrated professionalism and ethical practice.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work degree requires 48 semester units of course work delivered through three modality options: on-campus, online and hybrid. The program of study leads to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with a specialization in an area of advanced practice—specifically, integrative social work. Course requirements are organized into a generalist curriculum and a specialized curriculum. The generalist curriculum provides students with knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that prepare them for professional practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The specialized practice curriculum involves integration of social work knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes and demonstrated ability to engage, assess, intervene and evaluate across or within client populations, problems areas, and methods of intervention.

Specialization in Integrative Social Work Practice

The transformative Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Southern California is built upon the foundation of Integrative Social Work—a dynamic approach that unites clinical practice with advocacy. This program prepares future social workers to engage both individuals and communities, addressing personal challenges while working toward change.

At the heart of Integrative Social Work is the understanding that issues such as mental health disorders, homelessness and poverty are deeply linked to broader societal forces. The USC MSW curriculum empowers students to recognize and respond to these complex intersections through a holistic lens.

Through course work, practicum education and interdisciplinary training, students develop the skills needed to deliver direct services while also advancing community-based solutions. This dual focus ensures that graduates are not only compassionate practitioners, but also effective change agents.

Tracks

Students complete their specialized course work and training in integrative social work practice typically in semesters three and four of the MSW curriculum. When completing their specialization, students may select one of five track options that introduces them to practice with a particular client population, setting or system. Tracks consist of 6 units of integrative practice and 3 units of integrative assessment and evaluation, which can be completed within the existing 48-unit curriculum. Tracks, and the courses comprising them, align with opportunities for graduates’ careers in social work practice. Availability of tracks and associated courses during any given academic year is contingent upon minimum enrollment requirements.

Practicum Education

Practicum education is the signature pedagogy for social work. Practicum education typically takes place over four semesters (for full-time students) through a combination of community-based placement, classroom instruction and training with simulated clients. The school works closely with thousands of community agencies, organizations, businesses and other practicum partners to ensure students receive valuable hands-on practice experience and training that complements their classroom learning.

Community-based placement occurs in selected agencies and centers representing a broad range of social services. Placements are approved on the basis of the quality of their professional practice, commitment to social change and to addressing social work problems, interest in participating in professional education, and ability to make personnel and other resources available. Practicum instructors, MSWs who are employed by either the agency or the school, are responsible for teaching students in their practicum placements.

Practicum placements offer students micro, mezzo and macro learning opportunities and exposure to myriad settings, populations and systems in order to cultivate and complement areas of interest. This variety allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world practice while developing critical skills and cultural competence. Through supervision, mentorship and networking, students gain valuable insights and connections that can shape their future careers in social work. The practicum education experience is a critical component of the MSW program that supports and guides the transition from academic learning to professional experience.

Master of Social Work (MSW), Advanced Standing

The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers an advanced standing option for students who have graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CWSE)-accredited BSW program within the past five years.

Students admitted to advanced standing will bypass 24 units of the MSW program and be required to complete 6 units total of the following bridge course work:

SOWK 511 Critical Decision Making in Integrative Social Work Practice

SOWK 525 Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice II

Additionally, advanced standing students will complete 18 units of advanced, specialization course work, including 15 units of specialization courses and practicum training, and one elective (totaling 24 units).

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work

The Doctor of Social Work

The Doctor of Social Work is a fully online, 42-unit program typically completed in three years of consecutive study. The DSW provides doctoral-level practitioner-scholars with advanced leadership skills, enabling them to address complex social challenges through innovative, evidence-based interventions. Prospective DSW students must hold a master’s degree, with priority for applicants with an MSW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)–accredited program. Priority is also given to applicants with three or more years of practice experience beyond the master’s degree.

The PhD in Social Work

The PhD program prepares academics and scientists focused on the discovery of new knowledge through research. PhD candidates are interested in a career in academia, teaching or other research-intensive environments. A PhD program is centered around pursuing an original research project that culminates in a dissertation based on the original research and contribution to social work theory. The PhD program is located at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles and is full time. It requires a minimum of 45 units beyond the master’s degree and successful completion of written and oral qualifying exams and the doctoral dissertation. It typically takes four to five years to complete the doctoral program. Candidates must have a master’s degree in social work or a related program, excellent undergraduate and graduate academic records and participation in independent research. International applicants must also have a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Social Work and Juvenile Justice Undergraduate Minor

The Social Work and Juvenile Justice undergraduate minor is designed for students who want to increase their knowledge of the juvenile justice system and service environments for youth populations. This 16-unit minor completed across three semesters is fit for students in the behavioral and social sciences and any student interested in developing a broad knowledge of issues in the field of juvenile justice.

Interprofessional Degree Programs

Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)

The Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner program is a hybrid program with 50 credit hours. The program aims to train registered nurses at the bachelor’s level to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to provide primary care to patients of all ages. The program offers virtual face-to-face classes to students across the United States and leverages a virtual campus for interactive learning. The live classes are kept small to encourage collaboration and connection between the faculty and students. The program provides in-person clinical placements and two on-campus intensives (OCIs) to enhance hands-on learning and patient care. Our clinical placement team works with students to find placements in their communities. The program duration ranges from 21 to 33 months, depending on whether students study full-time (five semesters) or part-time (eight semesters). To be admitted to the program, candidates must have obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited college or university. Admissions requirements include a minimum 3.0 grade point average in the student’s BSN program, a U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license, and residency within the United States for the entire program, including at least one year of clinical experience.

Master of Addiction Science (MAS)

The Master of Addiction Science exposes students to the biological, psychological and social aspects of substance use and addictive behaviors. Students study emerging trends in addiction studies with an emphasis on evidence-based transdisciplinary approaches to addiction science and practice addressing epidemiology, etiology, prevention, treatment, policy and harm reduction, as well as sociocultural and healthcare contexts that intersect with addiction. The MAS equips students with a solid foundation and prepares them to enter several fields, from treatment to recovery and research to policy work, representing critical areas of support among communities in need. For program requirements, see Addiction Science (MS) .

Graduate Certificate Program

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s graduate certificates provide students with targeted and specialized practice and training in fields that may interest them. Courses associated with certificates are offered based on student demand. Please see the graduate certificates site for course information and availability.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Social Work (BSW)

Minor

Social Work and Juvenile Justice Minor

Master’s Degree

Dual Degree

Graduate Certificate

Doctoral Degree

Courses

Social Work

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