USC Social Work Programs

USC social work programs are at the vanguard of state-of-the-art education in social justice. Students who choose the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work can access various degree options. These include a Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

The school gives students amazing flexibility with programs at the University Park campus in Los Angeles, an academic center in San Diego, and detailed online options. USC’s MSW program helps students become leaders in public and private organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The USC School of Social Work promotes social justice through evidence-based teaching methods focused on real-life applications. The school’s resilient research funding reputation helps improve your educational experience with hands-on opportunities, whether you’re thinking about the USC DSW for advanced practice or learning about USC MSW tuition options.

Students learn in an environment that puts mental health first through programs like the WE-CARE Student Wellness initiative. They develop skills that create meaningful changes in communities. Take Steve Kim as an example – he founded Project Kinship after graduation to help people affected by gangs, incarceration, and violence. His work shows the unique career paths graduates can pursue.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at USC

The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work provides multiple degree paths that prepare students for social work careers. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through these well-balanced programs.

USC’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) requires 128 total units, including 48 units dedicated to the social work major. The program fosters ethical professionals who are culturally competent and ready to meet society’s needs.

Students can choose from several formats in the prestigious Master of Social Work (MSW) program:

• Accelerated 12-Month Option: For students with BSW degrees from accredited universities, perfect for career-changers seeking quick workforce reentry
• Full-Time 24-Month Program: Ideal for recent graduates or career-changers with time for immersive education
• Part-Time 28-Month Track: Designed for working professionals balancing career and education
• Online Variable Format: Created for distance learners or those unable to attend campus regularly

USC also offers a hybrid learning option that combines first-year in-person studies with second-year online coursework.

Advanced practitioners can complete the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program through an entirely online, 42-unit curriculum over nine semesters (36 months). The program champions social change innovation by focusing on three areas: problem definition within Grand Challenges for Social Work, innovative design, and executive leadership.

Scholars interested in research can pursue the PhD in Social Work. The program needs 45 units beyond the master’s degree and dissertation completion. Students typically complete this full-time program in 4-5 years.

The school’s 14 graduate certificates need 12-14 units and take two semesters to complete. USC students can access these specialized programs for approximately $12,822 out-of-pocket. Current MSW students and professionals can both benefit from these certificates.

USC’s programs demonstrate its steadfast dedication to addressing suffering’s root causes through evidence-based education.

Degree Specializations

USC’s MSW program lets you customize your education beyond the standard degree requirements. You can choose specialized tracks that focus on specific populations and practice settings. These specializations happen in your third and fourth semesters, which helps you build expertise in your chosen field.

The USC School of Social Work offers five distinct tracks within the 48-unit curriculum:

• Adult Mental Health and Wellness – This track teaches you to enhance mental health and physical well-being throughout the adult lifespan. You’ll study neuroscience and its connection to mind-brain-body systems while learning evidence-based practices for clients who face trauma, mental illness, substance use disorders, and medical issues.
• Children, Youth and Families – The focus here is on helping children, adolescents, and transitional age youth in different settings. You’ll develop skills in childhood development, juvenile justice, mental health interventions, and family support systems.
• Social Change and Innovation – This track provides cross-disciplinary training to solve society’s pressing issues at scale. You’ll learn to create community-level solutions through organizational leadership, policy advocacy, and program development.
• School and Educational Settings – This specialization prepares you to help students in pre-K through 12th grade settings. California residents can earn their Pupil Personnel Services Credential needed for school social work practice through this track.
• Military Populations and Settings – You’ll master evidence-based practices to support active military members, veterans, and their families. The track covers specialized crisis intervention techniques and military culture’s unique aspects.

Each track includes six units of integrative practice and three units of integrative assessment and evaluation. Track availability depends on enrollment numbers, so early planning helps. These specialized paths create direct routes to social work careers and give you focused expertise that employers need.

Social work careers are growing at 19% rate—faster than average for all occupations. This makes specialized training valuable in today’s job market.

Online and Hybrid Options

USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work lets you choose from three different educational formats that match your lifestyle and priorities.

The online MSW program delivers the same rigorous curriculum as the on-campus version. Award-winning faculty members teach both programs. Students can choose full-time or part-time options to balance work and personal commitments while earning their degree. BSW degree holders can complete the accelerated Advanced Standing track in just 12 months.

Students participate with course material through a mix of asynchronous learning and synchronous sessions. This means you can complete assignments on your schedule and attend live online classes. The program provides over 1,000 hours of practical experience.

The field education component has two distinctive elements:

• Virtual Practicum: Clinical simulations with actors portraying clients, guided by experienced professors
• Community-Based Practicum: Hands-on training with real clients under professional supervision, coordinated at placement sites in your local area

The hybrid format creates a perfect balance. Students take first-year courses in person and complete second-year studies online. Classes run during days, evenings, and weekends to fit various schedules.

Each format leads to the same CSWE-accredited MSW degree that prepares you to pursue social work licensure. The program maintains educational quality across all delivery methods. Your diploma looks the same whether you earn it online or on-campus.

The online program strengthens your career through its field internship component. You’ll build valuable professional connections in your community. These internships meet licensure requirements in many states while growing your professional network.

USC maintains consistent educational quality while adapting to your individual circumstances and priorities, whether you choose online, hybrid, or in-person study.

Graduation Rates

USC stands out among higher education institutions nationwide with its remarkable academic success rates. The university boasts an extraordinary 92% six-year graduation rate that places it in the top 5% of all universities. Students stay committed to their education here, as shown by the impressive 96% retention rate that ranks USC in the top 10% of colleges. Students who aim to graduate faster achieve a 79% four-year graduation rate.

These numbers demonstrate USC’s steadfast dedication to student success in every program, including its renowned social work department. The USC School of Social Work has achieved similar impressive completion rates and celebrated over 1,300 graduates from both on-campus and online MSW programs. This large graduating class shows how well the program attracts and guides students through comprehensive social work education.

The online MSW program’s graduation achievements deserve special recognition. More than 160 program graduates made their way to Los Angeles to attend commencement ceremonies. These online graduates came from more than 30 different states, which shows the program’s nationwide appeal.

USC’s graduation success goes beyond completion numbers. Students find themselves ready for immediate employment after graduation. About 24% of online MSW students secure employment through their fieldwork placement sites, which proves the program effectively combines academic theory with hands-on experience.

Note that job prospects for social workers continue to look positive. High graduation rates paired with strong employment outcomes make USC an attractive choice for aspiring social work professionals who want proven student success.

Career Outcomes

Social work jobs continue to outpace average occupational growth, which makes USC social work programs especially valuable for career-minded professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for social workers to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033. Some specialties show even stronger growth potential.

USC MSW program graduates find excellent opportunities in various career paths. Social workers’ median salary reached $61,330 in 2024. Earnings vary substantially based on specialization and location. Medical social workers earn higher salaries ($59,420) compared to mental health counselors ($42,170).

USC social work graduates excel in these career paths:

• Substance Use and Recovery Treatment Counselor
• Mental Health Counselor
• Medical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Child and Family Therapist
• Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
• Policy Analyst
• Human Resources Coordinator

USC provides detailed resources to support your career path. The university’s online job bank features positions from employers throughout Southern California and nationwide. Alumni benefit from continued access to career counseling, Handshake job postings, and specialized career webinars.

Field placements play a crucial role in post-graduation success. Students who complete online MSW programs often find employment through their fieldwork sites – about 24% secure positions this way. These internships help satisfy licensure requirements in many states and expand your professional network.

Specialized training programs demonstrate impressive results. The Next Generation Partnership Project shows that 86% of stipend recipients find employment within 12 months of graduation, mostly working with at-risk youth.

USC social work graduates join accomplished alumni like Richard Chavez (MSW ’15). He secured a position with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services and advanced to a supervisory role. This success reflects USC’s steadfast dedication to preparing professionals who make meaningful contributions while achieving rewarding careers.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at USC

USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work stands out from other institutions nationwide because of its exceptional qualities.

USC Social Work Programs lead the way in bringing technology to social service delivery. Students can practice their skills in controlled environments through the Virtual Academic Center’s advanced simulation technology before they work with real clients.

The school champions social breakthroughs through projects like the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families. This center helps address military-connected populations’ complex needs. The Telehealth Clinic serves a dual purpose – it provides mental health services to underserved communities while teaching students digital service delivery skills that are essential in today’s practice.

Students learn to work effectively with others from medicine, law, business, and public policy fields. This integrated approach helps them direct complex systems and develop vital teamwork skills that employers value.

The USC School of Social Work reaches globally with study opportunities in over 20 countries. Students gain exceptional exposure to different cultural views on social welfare practices through these immersive experiences.

Faculty members actively maintain clinical practices while teaching. This hands-on involvement keeps course content connected to real-life situations rather than just theory.

The school’s extensive alumni network spans all 50 states and many countries. These connections are a great way to get mentorship and potential job opportunities throughout your career.

Los Angeles’s cultural diversity creates a perfect environment to study social issues across different populations. USC MSW graduates gain a competitive edge in the job market through unique field placement opportunities that this urban setting provides.