School of Social Work and College of Public Health Partner to Offer MSW/M.P.H. Dual Degree
The University of Georgia School of Social Work and College of Public Health have partnered to offer a new dual degree program beginning this fall combining the master of social work (MSW) and master of public health (M.P.H.) degrees, making UGA the first university in the state of Georgia to offer this unique program. Â
More
Program Overview | Admissions Information | FAQs | Contact
The MSW-MPH dual degree program at The University of Georgia (UGA) provides students with an interdisciplinary education using biopsychosocial and epidemiological perspectives to address critical health issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skills to combine social work intervention at the individual (micro) level with the public health goal of prevention at the population (macro) level. The program's focus on health disparities underscores the social justice commitment of both professions to enhance human wellbeing.
A recent article in U.S. News & World Report (Dec. 6, 2010, online edition) named Medical and Public Health Social Work one of the "50 Best Careers of 2011," adding that
employment opportunities are "expected to climb faster than most careers, or more than 22 percent" during the next decade. Areas of practice for MSW-MPH graduates include:
The MSW-MPH dual degree program at UGA is the first in the state of Georgia, and it is one of only five MSW-MPH programs in the Southeast. Currently, the MSW-MPH is offered to graduate students in the full-time Clinical Concentration (Social Work) and in the Health Promotion and Behavior Concentration (Public Health). MSW-MPH students will complete a 90-hour curriculum, with Social Work and Public Health carefully coordinating coursework so that students can complete the program in 2 ½ years (seven consecutive semesters, including summers).
Please see the FAQ section for more detailed program information.
Applicants to the MSW-MPH dual degree program at The University of Georgia (UGA) must apply separately for admission to the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health. Acceptance into one program does not ensure acceptance into the other. Although students may apply and be accepted into both programs before starting either, more commonly students will apply to the 2nd program early in the first semester of graduate school (e.g., will apply to Public Health early in the first semester of the MSW program).
Completing two rigorous graduate degree programs simultaneously requires that students have a strong academic record. Although the admission requirements for the two programs differ, both reflect the demanding nature of graduate studies. Information about the social work application process can be found at: ssw.uga.edu/admissions/msw.html. Public Health application information can be found at: www.publichealth.uga.edu/admission. Please note that students must also apply to the UGA Graduate School. Information about the Graduate School application process can be found at these web sites as well.
Please note: Admission requirements in the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health differ in terms of the emphasis placed on the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing components of the GRE. Prospective applicants will want to carefully review the requirements for each program.
Please see the FAQ section for more detailed program information.
Q. What does the description of the MSW-MPH as a "dual degree" program mean?
A. The UGA School of Social Work and the College of Public Health use the phrase "dual degree" to describe a program that allows students to complete the master's degree requirements in Social Work and Public Health concurrently. Upon completion of the MSW-MPH program, students have earned two master's degrees: one in Social Work and one in Public Health. Students can start the MSW-MPH program in Social Work or in Public Health. Because Social Work and Public Health work collaboratively in scheduling classes, MSW-MPH students are able to complete the requirements of both programs in a shorter period of time than would be possible if the programs were completed consecutively.
Q. Is the MSW-MPH an option for Advanced Standing students, MSW students in the Community concentration, and part-time students?
A. Not at the present time, although the plan is to make the MSW-MPH available to more students in the future. The decision to begin implementation of the MSW-MPH with the Clinical concentration (Social Work) and the Health Promotion and Behavior concentration (Public Health) was based on the numbers, as well as the complementary focus of these concentrations. Because they are the largest concentrations in their respective programs, a partnership between them means the MSW-MPH is an option for the greatest number of students.
Q. What is the credit-hour requirement of the MSW-MPH at UGA, and how does it compare with MSW-MPH programs at other universities?
A. The UGA MSW-MPH program is 90 credit hours. MSW-MPH programs at most universities vary in length between 86-93 credit hours, making UGA's program comparable.
Q. Why are UGA students able to complete the MSW-MPH in less time than is possible at many other universities?
A. The UGA MSW-MPH can be completed in 2 ½ years (or 7 consecutive semester, including summers) as opposed to 3 academic years, which is often the case in other MSW-MPH programs. The reason UGA is able to do this is because the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health carefully coordinate classes each semester, with students taking classes in both programs beginning the 2nd semester (spring) of their 1st year in graduate school. More commonly, MSW-MPH programs focus coursework in one program the first year, the other program the second year, and both programs the third year.
Q. Am I required to take course work as scheduled in the MSW-MPH Program of Study?
A. Although you are not required to take classes in this order, you are strongly encouraged to do so. Following the Program of Study insures completion of the MSW-MPH in 2 ½ years because the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health have committed to offering the courses as scheduled. Students who take coursework out of sequence risk extending their graduation date. Taking the courses as scheduled also insures that students have the requisite knowledge and skills needed for subsequent courses. Please be aware that the Program of Study will be continuously updated to reflect revisions to the MSW or MPH curriculum.
Q. How is advisement handled in the MSW-MPH program?
A. MSW-MPH students are assigned a faculty advisor in the School of Social Work and in the College of Public Health. Advisors are very familiar with the MSW-MPH program and work together to guide students through the program. Advisement pertaining to course work is handled separately, with each school/college focusing on the portion of the curriculum for which it is responsible.
Q. How are field placements addressed in the MSW-MPH program?
A. There are two field placements in the MSW program and one in the MPH program (which Public Health calls an internship). MSW-MPH students complete the first (foundation) field placement at the same time as peers in their MSW cohort: spring semester in the first year. The second (concentration) placement for MSW-MPH students, however, occurs at a different time than it does for MSW peers. MSW-MPH students complete the concentration field placement during the last 2 semesters of the 7-semester MSW-MPH Program of Study, that is, during summer and fall semesters. During summer semester, students also fulfill the MPH internship requirement. This is accomplished by having a placement that meets the field/internship criteria in both the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health. During summer semester, students register for 6 hours Social Work credit and 6 hours Public Health credit; the placement also includes an integrative component. Students remain in this same agency during fall semester, but register only for Social Work credit (6 hours). The School of Social Work and the College of Public Health work closely with MSW-MPH students to insure that placements accommodate their learning needs and interests.
Q. When do I have to make a decision about pursuing a MSW-MPH?
A.Students must begin the MSW-MPH during the first year of the MSW program. Students may apply to both programs before starting either. According to UGA Grad School guidelines, however, a student cannot be admitted to two programs during the same semester. Students applying to both programs before starting either (and being accepted into both programs) must decide which program they will start—Social Work or Public Health. They will be officially admitted to the other program effective spring semester of the first year. More commonly, students will apply to the 2nd program during the first semester of their 1st program (e.g., will apply to the MPH program during fall semester of Year I in the MSW program). Applications for admission to the College of Public Health are due mid-semester; the submission deadline is determined by the College of Public Health and is widely disseminated. Information sessions are held early fall semester for students to learn more about the MSW-MPH program. The College of Public Health notifies applicants about admission decisions before the end of fall semester. Students accepted into the MPH program are admitted effective spring semester and take their first Public Health courses this semester.
Q. Where can I get more information about the MSW-MPH program?
A. For general information, please contact:
Social Work
Trisha Reeves, Associate Professor
reevesp@uga.edu
706-542-5451
Public Health
Mumbi Okundaye, MPH/DrPH Program Coordinator
mumbi@uga.edu
706-583-0059
For admissions information, please contact:
Social Work
Leon Banks, Admissions Director
banks03@uga.edu
706-542-5454Public Health
Michela Salum, MPH/DrPH Admissions Coordinator
msalum@uga.edu
706-583-0885
Social Work
Trisha Reeves, Associate Professor
reevesp@uga.edu
706-542-5451
Public Health
Mumbi Okundaye, MPH/DrPH Program Coordinator
mumbi@uga.edu
706-583-0059
Social Work
Leon Banks, Admissions Director
banks03@uga.edu
706-542-5454
Public Health
Michela Salum, MPH/DrPH Admissions Coordinator
msalum@uga.edu
706-583-0885
