If you’re looking into advancing your social work career, you may be thinking about the possibility of combining an MPH and MSW. An MPH is a Master’s of public health degree, while an MSW is a Master’s of social work degree. For students who wish to work in social work and public health, combining the two degrees can provide them with the education and skills they need to work as leaders in a variety of community settings.
Dual Degree
The combination of social work and public health skills is such a integral one that some schools have begun to offer a dual MPH/MSW degree. A dual degree is advantageous because it provides students with a chance to work on two Master’s degrees simultaneously and complete the dual degree in less time than it would typically take to complete the two separately. Although program times vary, you might be able to finish a dual degree within one and a half to three years. The two degrees dovetail well, providing students with expertise and training they need in both areas. In order to apply for the MPH/MSW, you will need to apply to each program individually. You may also need to take the GRE (graduate record exam), though some programs don’t require it if you had a high enough GPA as an undergraduate.
What You’ll Study
Your curriculum in the dual degree will include social work courses as well as courses in public policy. Your MSW studies will consist of courses in human behavior, family relationships, social research. You will likely need to choose a specialty area or concentration in the social work program. The MPH side of the degree will have you taking courses in topics like environmental health, public health policy and biostatistics. Overall, the courses for your dual degree will combine critical thinking and hands-on advanced practice skills that prepare you to analyze research and apply it to the communities you serve.
Career Roles
Having an MPH and MSW will help prepare you to become a leader in the community. You could end up in a variety of positions and settings, including health agencies, government agencies or community health centers. Whatever position you hold, you will find that the overarching role is educational in nature. Graduates with this dual degree are uniquely situated to connect research to health care practices for not only individuals, but communities as a whole.
Social work and public health both work to research, and prevent health and social problems from affecting individuals and communities. Whatever position you take, your studies in both areas will equip you to take a leadership role and to help deliver and ensure a higher quality of healthcare and health education. Your MPH and MSW degree will help open doors as you continue to further your social and public health career.