Peter Szto, PhD
Professor, Department of Social Work
Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 0432
Office Location: East Campus, Wynn 217
Peter Szto, PhD, began teaching in APU’s social work program in 2026. He brings decades of experience teaching mental health policy, organizing travel courses to China, and developing documentary photography as a tool of social work research. In 2022, he was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at the National University of Singapore, teaching and studying the “hidden youth” phenomenon. His career trajectory includes growing up in Queens, NY, mental health work in Grand Rapids, Michigan, theological studies in Philadelphia, and cow gazing in Omaha, Nebraska. He lives happily ever after with his wife and two doggies somewhere in San Bernardino.
Education
- PhD, Social Welfare, University of Pennsylvania, 2002
- MSW, University of Pennsylvania, 1992
- MAR, Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, 1986
- MA, Educational Systems Development, Michigan State University, 1985
- BS, Psychology, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, 1977
Credentials/Certifications
- Editor-in-Chief, Social Work & Christianity. A Publication of the National Association of Christians in Social Work. January 1, 2023-present.
- President (2025-present), Asian Pacific Islander Social Work Educators Association (APISWEA).
- Chair, Kendall Advisory Board. (2019-25). CSWE Catherine A Kendall Institute for International Social Work Education.
- Fulbright Distinguished Chair in the Social Sciences – Singapore (2022).
- Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professorship, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2022-25).
- Hal Levin Award – Most Outstanding Doctoral Student, School of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania (1993).
Academic Area
- School of Behavioral Sciences
Expertise
- Mental health care
- Documentary photography for social work
- International social work
- Theology for social work
Courses Taught
- SOCW 523 – Macro-Theory and Communities/Organizations
- SOCW 543 – Program and Grants Management
- SOCW 511 – Introduction to Social Work
- SOCW 522 – Diversity and Social Justice
- SOCW 574 – Applied Research for Evidence-Informed Practice