Social Work (DSW)

The Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers an advanced practice doctorate in social change and innovation for agency and community leaders and entrepreneurs. The DSW program prepares experienced professionals to develop practical, applied solutions to large-scale social challenges that directly impact vulnerable, marginalized or otherwise disadvantaged populations. The foundation for the DSW curriculum rests on three pillars: (1) problem definition within the Grand Challenges for Social Work; (2) innovative design; and (3) executive leadership in human service organizations and community contexts. Students are required to complete a minimum of 42 units of coursework beyond their first master’s degree in social work or another allied field from an accredited institution. The core DSW curriculum consists of 14 courses. There are no specializations available. Students may complete this accelerated advanced practice doctorate in seven or more semesters culminating with an independent capstone project, representing a substantive advance in practice or policy related to one of the Grand Challenges for Social Work.