The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers programs of study leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctorate of Social Work (DSW), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in social work as well as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs provide the student a broad background of knowledge about health and welfare problems, the meaning of programs past and present that have been established to meet them, and current issues and policy trends in the field.

At the same time, the student is helped to become a professional person through development of a philosophy in harmony with that of the profession: to prevent and mitigate severe social problems that challenge the viability of culturally diverse and complex urban settings; to build on the strengths of individuals, families, and communities; and to lead the scholarly search for innovative, efficacious and just solutions.