Doctor of Social Work
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program offers an advanced practice degree in social change and innovation for agency and community leaders and entrepreneurs. Unlike other schools of social work that offer advanced practice doctorates in clinical practice or pedagogy, we prepare experienced professionals to develop practical, applied solutions to large-scale social challenges that directly impact vulnerable, marginalized or otherwise disadvantaged populations.
As a student in our online DSW program, you will develop characteristics of both practitioners and scholars. Our graduates are prepared to seek management or executive leadership positions that advance their careers in social work and related human service arenas, equipped to establish a legacy of social impact.
In contrast to a PhD program that trains future social work researchers, this DSW program expects students to engage with multiple actors to inform new ideas for addressing complex social problems.
DSW at USC Capstone Projects
DSW ’18 alums Nathan Graeser and Glenna Anderson share the concept and implementation of their respective capstone projects, the main focus of the DSW program.
Alumni
Alumni Impact in the Community
Shay Sorrells, DSW ‘20 and chief program officer for Orangewood Foundation, is providing resources and support for foster youth and families through an innovative new program, featured on Good Day LA/Fox 11.
DSW News
Doctor of Social Work Faculty
John Clapp Director, Doctor of Social Work Program
Renee Smith-Maddox Teaching Professor and Diversity Liaison
Annalisa Enrile Teaching Professor
Michàlle Mor Barak Professor
Michael Hurlburt Associate Professor
Eric Rice Professor Director, USC Center for AI in Society
Michael Rank Associate Teaching Professor
Juan Araque Clinical Associate Professor
Sara Schwartz Clinical Associate Professor
Harry Hunter Clinical Assistant Professor
Cassandra Fatouros Lecturer
John Blosnich Associate Professor Director, Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity
Jane James Associate Teaching Professor
Richard Newmyer Senior Lecturer
Melissa Singh Associate Teaching Professor
Jennifer Lewis Associate Teaching Professor
John Clapp
Director, Doctor of Social Work Program
John D. Clapp is a professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California. Clapp is known internationally for his research and translational work in the field of alcohol problem prevention. A fellow in the American Academy of Health Behavior, Clapp is currently studying the system dynamics of drinking events with a team of engineers and computer scientists with the goal of developing “smart” real-time prevention applications. He has published more than 100 journal articles, with his work appearing in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Addiction, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, among numerous other top research journals.
View ProfileEric Rice
Professor Director, USC Center for AI in Society
Social work expert, focusing on community outreach, network science, and the use of social networking technology by high-risk youth.
Eric Rice is an associate professor and the founding co-director of the USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society, a joint venture of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Rice received a BA from the University of Chicago, and an MA and PhD in Sociology from Stanford University.
Michael Rank
Associate Teaching Professor
Michael Rank is a clinical associate professor at the Virtual Academic Center. Previously, he served as director of the school's San Diego Academic Center. He has been affiliated with the USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families since January 2011. From 1995 to 2010, he was a tenured associate professor at the University of South Florida School of Social Work.
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