MSW Program
Dual Degree and Specializations
Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Public Health
Program Overview
Degree Requirements
A total of 100 credits are required to complete the MSW/MPH program. This takes approximately six semesters of full-time coursework. One degree may be granted in advance of the other, provided the student has completed all residency, course, and credit requirements at the school of origin. For example, a student wishing to obtain the MSW in the regular full-time two-year program must complete the 65 credits normally required for the MSW degree. The majority of these credits will be required MSW courses; however, the student will substitute three or four MPH courses which fulfill some of the 65 credits for the social work degree.
At the School of Social Work, students may major in either Clinical or Macro Methods. Approximately 2/3 of students in the MSW/MPH program are Clinical Majors. MSW/MPH students are not eligible to "minor" in a method or to participate in any of the specialty certificate programs due to lack of electives and tight program planning required for two degrees. Students are urged to concentrate on the larger task of developing two careers while pursuing two degrees.
At the School of Public Health, students may choose from eight different concentrations. These include Social and Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Law, Health Policy and Management, Maternal and Child Health, International Health, and Environmental Health. Certain specialty and certificate programs are impractical due to the time constraints of dual degree programs. Double concentrating-having two majors at SPH-is strongly discouraged on the part of MSW/MPH students. Please be in touch with the Program Director for more details on these considerations.
Course Equivalencies or Exemptions
Students in the MSW/MPH program enjoy a number of course exchanges, exemptions and opportunities.
- SPH BS701/BS706/BS703 Biostatistics Requirement replaces Research II at SSW
- SPH EP711/EP712 Epidemiology Requirement replaces a SSW Category C elective
- SPH PM702 Health Policy replaces the SSW Category A elective
- SPH SB820 Assessment/Planning Health Promotion can replace a SSW Category B elective
- SPH SB721 Intro to Behavioral Sciences and Public Health is waived automatically.
- SSW SP741 Social Work Professional Ethics is required of all students. ALL MSW/MPH students are expected to enroll in the specialty section for dual degree students. This is strongly recommended and exceptions will be made only under rare circumstances.
Click here for a sample program: MSW.MPH Sample Program Update Fall 2008
