MSW / MPH Program Details

• Enhancing social, economic and environmental justice
• Eliminating disparities between and among various populations
• Focusing on oppressed, vulnerable, and at-risk groups

• Understanding how social systems relate to health status
• Public health: Social epidemiology
• Social work: Ecological approach – person in environment

• Family centered
• Community based
• Culturally competent
• Coordinated care
• Trans- and inter-disciplinary teams
• Cultural Humility

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. Students may apply and be accepted into both programs before starting either, or they can apply to the second program early in the first semester of graduate school (e.g., will apply to the MPH program early in the first semester of the MSW program or will apply to the MSW program early in the first semester of the MPH 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.

Application Process

Students must follow the application instructions for the program they are applying to:

• Social Work Application Process
• Public Health Application Process

Students must also apply again to the UGA Graduate School at the time they apply to the 2nd degree program. When preparing the application with the 2nd degree program, it is recommended that the student contact the respective admissions coordinator (as listed on the application process website) to let them know they are planning an application and to receive any special instructions for the application. Information about the Graduate School application process can be found at these web sites as well.

Admission Requirements

Prospective applicants should carefully review the requirements for each program.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section for more detailed information.

While we can’t guarantee that a dual degree is a worthwhile investment for a particular student, here are some suggestions to help prospective students weigh the pros and cons of a MSW/MPH:

1. Review the codes of ethics of the two professions. If these principles and values resonate with you, then a MSW/MPH program might be a good fit for you:
   • the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics.
   • the American Public Health Association’s Principles of the Ethical Practice of Public Health.
2. Look at job announcements that you might be interested in applying to in the future – what degrees or credentials do they ask for?
3. Conduct an informational interview with individuals who are currently practicing in positions that look interesting to you – what degrees and credentials do they have; do they see potential value in someone having a MSW and MPH in that position?
4. Check out our Reading List, which summarizes what some of the research literature says about MSW/MPH professionals.
5. Look at the faculty biographies for the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health – are there any in particular who have research areas that fit with your interest areas?

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 the School of Social Work or in the College of 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.

Students enrolled in the MSW Advanced Standing are able to enroll in the MSW/MPH dual degree program. Students enrolled in the Advanced Standing dual degree program complete a 76-hour curriculum of concurrent social work and public health classes. The Advanced Standing program can be completed in as little as 2 years (6 consecutive semesters) if students enroll in the program in summer of their first year of graduate school.

Unfortunately, part-time students are not eligible for the MSW/MPH dual degree program. Although part-time students are not currently able to participate in the Dual Degree Program of Study (for example, utilize the “double-counted” courses as listed on the Course Requirements document), students could consider completing the degrees consecutively. The MSW/MPH program is also not currently offered to online MSW students.

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 Micro 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.

Although MPH students in these concentrations are not currently able to participate in the Dual Degree Program of Study (for example, utilize the “double-counted” courses as listed on the Course Requirements document), students could consider completing the degrees consecutively.

The UGA Traditional MSW/MPH program is 90 credit hours. MSW/MPH programs at other universities offering dual degrees vary in length between 86-93 credit hours, making UGA’s program comparable. The UGA Advanced Standing MSW/MPH program is 76 credit hours, which is comparable to other Advanced Standing MSW/MPH program across the country.

The UGA MSW/MPH can be completed in as little as 2½ years (7 consecutive semesters) if students enroll in the MSW/MPH program in fall of their first year. Many other MSW/MPH programs are 3 academic years.

The UGA MSW/MPH program is able to offer a shorter program of study through careful coordination of concurrent public health and social work courses (meaning that both public health and social work courses are taken in each semester). 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.

In order to complete the program as quickly as possible, we strongly encourage you to take the courses as ordered in the program of study and to consult with your MSW/MPH program advisor before deviating in any way from the program. Students who take coursework out of sequence risk extending their graduation date. Taking the courses as scheduled also ensures that students have the requisite knowledge and skills needed for subsequent courses.

MSW/MPH students are assigned a faculty advisor in the School of Social Work and in the College of Public Health (some students may have the same advisor in both schools). Students are required to meet with their advisors each semester.

Both the MSW and MPH require hands-on learning “in the field.” Social Work refers to these as field placements, while Public Health refers to it as an internship. The MSW program has two field placements and the MPH program has one internship.

MSW/MPH students complete the first (foundation) social work field placement in fall and spring of their second year. MSW/MPH students then complete an “integrated” public health and social work field placement (in the same agency) during summer and fall of their final year in the program. Over the summer, students complete a block (40-hour per week) placement in which they complete requirements for their public health internship and social work field placement at the same time. During fall, they spend 2 ½ days per week at the same agency to complete requirements for the social work placement. Within this structure, students gain a clear understanding of the intersection of public health and social work in the field.

The School of Social Work and the College of Public Health work closely with MSW/MPH students to ensure that placements accommodate their learning needs and interests.

The MSW/MPH is an intensive and rigorous program in which students are typically taking 5 courses (15 credit hours) per semester. The summer and fall of their final year is especially intensive as students complete their integrated field placement. In addition, most courses are offered during the day. These are all important considerations as a student is considering working while attending the program. Past MSW/MPH students have been able to balance part-time work with completing coursework with careful time management and planning.

Tuition and fees information is available at the UGA Graduate School Bursar’s Office Division. Tuition is calculated based on the number of credit hours a student registers for each semester. You can estimate tuition costs based on the tuition and fees information. Keep in mind that in the MSW/MPH program, students typically register for 15 credits per semester over 7-8 semesters. Actual tuition costs may vary depending on your specific course of study and on changes to tuition and fees by the university in the future. For more information, you can contact the UGA Bursar’s Office Division.

At UGA there are many opportunities to focus on international issues, including:

• Courses that focus on global or international issues in both the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health
• The Graduate Certificate in Global Health offered through the College of Public Health’s Center for Global Health
• The UGA student organization Students for Global Social Work
• Study Away opportunities through the School of Social Work

MSW/MPH students typically complete study abroad coursework during the summer of their first year.

Note that many of the study abroad programs are very competitive.

Most classes for the MSW/MPH program are offered at the main campus of the University of Georgia located in Athens and the University of Georgia’s Health Sciences Campus (located about 4 miles from the main campus).

Students must begin the MSW/MPH during their first year of their graduate program. Students may apply to both programs before starting either. If they are accepted into both programs, they can begin concurrent public health and social work courses their first semester of their first year of graduate school.

Students may also apply to the second program during the first semester of their first program (e.g., apply to the MPH program during fall semester of Year I in the MSW program or apply to the MSW program during fall semester of Year I in the MPH program). However, the program of study may be 3 years (8 consecutive semesters) instead of 2 ½ years (7 consecutive semesters).

Applications for admission to Public Health and Social Work are due in the middle of Fall semester. Contact the admission coordinator of the respective program you are applying to if you have questions. The graduate programs notify applicants about admission decisions before the end of fall semester. Students accepted into the second degree program are admitted effective spring semester and begin taking concurrent courses in the spring semester of their first year of graduate school.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Social work employment (including public health social workers) is estimated to grow by 12% and employment of health educators is projected to grow by 13% from 2014-2024, faster than the average for all occupations
• Healthcare social worker employment is expected to grow by 19% as the baby boomers age
• An increase in demand is estimated in the next 10 years, ranging from 4-19%
• The median annual wage was $46,890 for social workers and $53,070 for health educators in May 2016

Having dual MSW and MPH degrees provides access to both of these fast-growing fields and increases marketability.

Areas of practice for MSW MPH graduates include:

• Prevention-oriented clinical practice
• Health education and health promotion
• Health program planning, development, and evaluation
• Health policy analysis
• Management at local, state, national, and international levels
• Public health advocacy
• Research

Learn more about what UGA MSW/MPH students and alumni are doing by visiting our blog.

References
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition. (2014). Social Workers. Available at: http://www.bls.gov
2. Jackson, K. (2016). Public health social work: Now more than ever. Social Work Today, 15(6), 12. Available at: http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/111715p12.shtml
3. Sable, M.R., Schild, D.S. & Hipp, J.A. (2012). Public Health and Social Work. In S. Gehlert & T. Browne (Eds.), Handbook of Health Social Work (pp. 64-99). Hoboken, NJ:  WILEY.