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News Archive

2019

  • Social Work PhD

    The decision to pursue a doctoral degree in social work should hinge upon a careful consideration of research opportunities and personal career ambitions.

    When weighing options for their future, many undergraduate and master-level students inevitably ask themselves, should I pursue a PhD? In the field of social work, a doctorate level education provides the opportunity to develop a specialization in a particular area of interest and to be on the forefront of research surrounding urgent, real-world issues affecting our society.

  • adriana_guerrero

    In honor of Women’s History Month, meet MSW student and Marine Corps veteran Adriana Guerrero, who is committed to serving victims of sexual assault and violence both inside and outside of the military.

  • National Social Work Professional Month

    It’s National Professional Social Work Month, and Professor John Brekke is advocating for a reimagination of social work as both a practice- and science-focused discipline.

    With roots in the rise of social activism and the widening class divides of 19th century America and Britain, the discipline of social work has undergone a long—and in many ways ongoing—evolution. At various moments throughout the decades, the practice of social work has married elements of policymaking, health care, education, psychology and anthropology.

  • Avelardo Valdez

    Eminent social work scholar Avelardo Valdez has been appointed as the Cleofas and Victor Ramirez Professor of Practice, Policy, Research and Advocacy for the Latino Population at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. A pioneering researcher known for his studies of the consequences of drug abuse and violence, Valdez has helped frame the national conversation around criminal justice policies including drug enforcement and sentencing laws.

  • Noemi Moreno

    MSW student Noemi Moreno shares her unique perspective as a civilian pursuing the military social work track at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

    While the majority of MSW students studying military social work at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work are service members and veterans themselves, military social work can be just as rewarding a career path for those who don’t come from a military background. Just ask Noemi Moreno.

  • intermittent fasting

    Taking a break from eating (fasting) periodically throughout the week (intermittent) has become a popular weight loss technique among men and women. Many individuals choose intermittent fasting as a weight loss technique without fully understanding the risks.

    There is a robust body of research studying the effects of intermittent fasting in humans. Intermittent fasting is thought to work by resetting the body’s metabolic system, a process which occurs in the liver when the body’s source of energy shifts from glucose utilization to free fatty acids and ketones.

  • JC Cruz

    Recently elected member of the California Democratic Party executive board, JC Cruz, MSW ‘16, is applying his social work training to improve communities throughout California’s Assembly District 51.

    Passionate about applying a macro-level focus to social policy and politics, Juan Carlos “JC” Cruz, MSW ‘16, is dedicated to working for the betterment of local communities and underrepresented populations.

  • military

    Veterans can take advantage of many valuable career, housing and medical services to transition seamlessly to a fulfilling civilian life. 

  • sad child

    An adolescent experiences the death of his mother after a lengthy illness.

    When I ask what services he would like to receive from the school, he initially says he didn’t expect special treatment, would be embarrassed by counseling from the school mental health staff and wouldn’t feel comfortable if many of his teachers asked to talk to him about his grief.

    At the same time, the student felt as though the school should somehow take his situation into account.

  • melody silva

    Marine Corps veteran and USC social work student Melody Silva is committed to addressing the mental health needs of victims of military sexual trauma and the military population at large.