Dual Degree
Master of Social Work
Master of Public Administration
2
Degrees
3
Years
1
Location
Overview
Over the course of three years and six semesters, a student can earn two separate degrees: an MSW degree awarded by the College of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree awarded by the Center for Public Policy and Administration, College of Social and Behavioral Science.
The MSW/MPA Program provides students the opportunity to develop specialties in social work and public administration. The program is designed to help students gain clinical knowledge and experience, along with administrative (e.g., budgeting, human resource management, program evaluation, etc.) experience concurrently.
Coursework
Students in the dual degree program complete 51 credit hours of MSW coursework and 30 credit hours of MPA coursework. By combining the two programs, a student will save 21 credit hours.
If needed, dual degree students may complete their MPA internship requirement through the MSW practicum requirement. The MPA Program’s major research paper requirement can be met through the MSW project requirement, but an MPA advisor must approve the final product.
Both degrees are conferred at the same time even if requirements are completed for one before the other. Additionally, a student may not take the CSW licensing exam until both degrees are completed.
All MSW courses are held during the day, while all MPA courses are held in the evening.
Admission
Students who wish to complete a dual degree must apply to and be accepted by both programs during the same application cycle in order to begin their dual degree program.
Admission/acceptance into one program does not guarantee admission/acceptance into the other.
Dual degree programs are not available to students enrolled in the MSW Online and Three-Year Programs.
It is recommended that prospective students meet with the MPA program prior to applying. Visit the MPA Program Manager’s contact information page.