CSWE candidacyDSWPhDSocial work doctoratePrivate nonprofitSuzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
What Social Work Doctorates Does USC Offer?
USC in Los Angeles, California offers 3 social work doctorates: Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work and Doctor of Social Innovation (DSI), with the DSW and the Social work doctorate online. CSWE lists the practice doctorate as in candidacy. Estimated DSW tuition is $97,524 before fees.
Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
How USC Compares
Estimated tuition for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is $97,524, the 19th lowest of 19 practice doctorates on this site with an estimate (median $45,000).
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) requires 42 credits; the median practice doctorate on this site requires 48.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work requires 45 credits; the median social work PhD on this site requires 51.
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) asks for 3 years of post-master's practice, against a median of 2 among DSWs that state a figure.
USC's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.
CSWE doesn't accredit research doctorates, so the PhD carries no CSWE status; PhD programs are covered by the university's institutional accreditation.
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 5 social work doctorates awarded by USC in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 33rd of 80 schools on this site that awarded any. These are awards conferred, not graduates or outcomes, and newer programs show none yet.
More Social Work Doctorates in California and Bordering States
USC's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.
Can You Earn USC's DSW Online?
Yes. Doctor of Social Work (DSW) (online) and Doctor of Social Innovation (DSI) (online).
How Much Does USC's DSW Cost?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): $2,322 per unit (1-14 units) (2025-26), about $97,524 for 42 credits before fees.
What Do You Need to Apply to USC's DSW?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution. At least 3 years of post-MSW professional experience in social work, particularly in supervisory or management roles. Doctor of Social Innovation (DSI): Master's degree from an accredited institution or its global equivalent.
How Long Does USC's DSW Take?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): 9 semesters (standard track) (42 units).
Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in October 2026. CSWE status for practice doctorates comes only from the Council on Social Work Education's own directory, and program size from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) doctoral completions. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs