Solving complex societal problems requires collaboration among many academic disciplines and sectors of society. Social work by its very nature is interdisciplinary and intersects with many other fields, as well as the public, private and nonprofit sectors. This collaborative focus informs our research, helping the USC School of Social Work advance knowledge while improving lives.

The USC School of Social Work maintains its own research institute, the Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human Services, founded in 1982. The Hamovitch Center facilitates the work of faculty representing social work, psychology, sociology, nursing, biostatistics, anthropology and other disciplines. Its expanding portfolio surpasses $22 million in sponsored research. The nearly 7,200-square-foot center underwent a major renovation in 2002. Today it supports more than 70 faculty, staff and students.

Among USC’s 16 professional schools, excluding Health and Engineering, the School of Social Work accounts for nearly 30 percent of the university’s grant awards. This is especially significant since USC ranks among the top 10 private universities in federal research funding. The School of Social Work also is among the three most highly funded social work faculties in the nation.