Robert W. Roberts

(b. 1932). Professor and Dean, USC School of Social Work.

Interviewed by Elizabeth McBroom. Length of interview: 7-25-93. 2 cassette tapes (2 duplicate tapes). Length of interview: 2 hours and 42 minutes. Transcript of interview: 48 pp. (1 copy rough draft of transcript). CD containing interview and transcript.

Interview Topics

Entrance into social work; social workers as role models; early life and education; MSW at Cal-Berkeley; first position; work with Jewish Family Services; work as research associate; doctoral studies at Columbia; teaching at University of Chicago; publications; job offer from USC; move to Los Angeles; director of undergraduate education at USC School of Social Work; opinion of MSW program at USC; assistant dean under Maurice Hamovitch; work as Dean of School of Social Work; relationship with Maurice Hamovitch; fiscal problems; renewed emphasis on research; development of programs to help meet university budgeting requirements; developments in social work curriculum during deanship; adjustments during era of shrinking budgets in the 1980s; faculty requirements and commitment to community; experience teaching in foreign universities; activities during retirement; changes in profession of social work; separation between social work agencies and schools of social work.

Additional Materials

  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Galley proofs of biography in "Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare."
  • Retirement notice.
  • 1 diskette of transcript of interview.

Download the transcript: 
» Transcript