Apply Now for 2025

Summer 2025 Advanced Standing and Fall 2025 
Applications NOW OPEN for On-Campus MSW

USC University of Southern California

News Archive

Students

  • Law Enforcement Internships

    Jennifer Avalos, Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, is a U.S. Army veteran, married to an active duty Marine. Her way of life, learned from her chosen family ― the military ― is to adapt, improve and overcome.

  • Anthony Lista

    Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) student Anthony Lista, RN, was just learning the ins and outs of his new job as director of population health for a large nursing home operator, Genesis Healthcare, when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

    Then everything changed, including his job duties. Lista answered the call to serve as a member of his employer’s infection prevention team. The position focuses on reducing the spread of the new coronavirus among a nationwide network of nursing homes.

  • NASW-USC Unit

    From a new spin on mental health awareness, supporting others through a virtual safe space, or donating funds originally earmarked for an in-person career development event, Master of Social Work (MSW) students at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work are finding ways to connect with fellow students and the community under “shelter at home” orders.

  • Jennifer Dixon

    Jennifer Dixon, RN, has been a nurse for 20 years. The current Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) student at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is part of the emergency department of a hospital in Georgia.

  • Sabrina Bates

    Sabrina Bates RN, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) student at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and a nurse at Keck Hospital of USC, was working in the new transport center created by Keck for the purpose of receiving COVID-19 patients. While on duty, one of her closest friends was admitted, and Bates had to transport her to the ICU to be placed on a ventilator.

  • Human Rights Clinic

    According to the latest data available, in 2017 the United States received an estimated 139,801 affirmative asylum applications from individuals such as these:

  • Dual Degree

    Not all social workers have heard of the Jewish concept of tikkun olam or “repairing the world,” but most strive to live by its ideal.

  • Christiana Grotlisch

    Master of Social Work student Christiana Grotlisch started surfing in high school. Then other things took precedence. Like drinking.

    When she got sober in 2012, she started surfing again and never stopped. “It very much helped me in terms of my sobriety and my own recovery,” Grotlisch said. “Getting grounded and getting connected.”

    Today, Grotlisch is integrating her experiences into her field work.

  • Military Academic Center students

    Three USC military-track and military-connected students had unique opportunities to network and learn more about their chosen field when they attended the annual conference for the Society for Social Work and Research, held this January in Washington, D.C.

  • Unchained Scholars

    A lot of people consider time a precious commodity, but Omar Pryce treats nearly every minute like it is made of gold. That is because for him, choosing how to spend his time is an unexpected blessing. Pryce had expected to be in prison until 2023.

    Earning an early release gave him the opportunity to change his life’s trajectory. Since then, he has ensured that every day has been spent working toward his many positive life goals, such as obtaining his Master of Social Work (MSW).