The USC School of Social Work established the first social work doctoral program in the western United States in 1953, and today continues the tradition of educating highly motivated, self-directed individuals interested in a career in research and teaching.

This year's four PhD graduates have studied topics as varied as HIV prevention among the homeless to health outcomes among older adults in rural China. One newly minted PhD, Weiyu Mao, is the first student to graduate from the School of Social Work's joint MSW/PhD program.

Armando Barragan
Dissertation: "Psychological Distress, Behavioral Patterns and Mental Health Service Utilization Among Latinos in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey: A Latent Class Analysis"
Doctoral guidance committee: Ann Marie Yamada, chair; Tamika Gilreath; and Robert Rueda (USC Rossier School of Education)
Future plans: Accepted a position as an assistant professor at California State University, San Bernardino, School of Social Work

Megan Finno-Velasquez
Dissertation: “Immigrants at a Loss: The Need for Services that Promote Child Well-being Among Latino Families with Child Welfare Contact”
Doctoral guidance committee: Lawrence Palinkas, co-chair; Michael Hurlburt, co-chair; and Nichole Esparza (USC Price School of Public Policy)
Future plans: Staying at USC to for another year to finish research projects, then on to the academic job market

Hsun-Ta Hsu
Dissertation: “Engaging Homeless Men and Shelter Providers to Adapt an Existing Evidence-based HIV Prevention Intervention”
Doctoral guidance committee: Suzanne Wenzel, chair; Eric Rice; Benjamin Henwood; and Jennifer Unger (Keck School of Medicine of USC)
Future plans: Accepted a position as an assistant professor at University of Missouri, Columbia

Weiyu Mao
Dissertation: “Family Relationships and Their Influence on Health Outcomes Over Time Among Older Adults in Rural China”
Doctoral guidance committee: Iris Chi, chair; William Vega, Chih-Ping Chou (Keck School of Medicine of USC); and Merril Silverstein (Syracuse University)
Future plans: Continue to work on research and manuscripts, and eventually transition into academia