Columbia Dual MSW/MIA Degrees

[emoleys]

After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from CUSSW's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year at CUSSW. I'm excited for sure, but am wondering at this point how much just the MSW degree will do to help me with my career goals. I'm increasingly considering applying to the international affairs program at SIPA to help better my chances with my pursuing my career objectives. If I do the dual degree program, it means that I can earn 2 degrees within 3 years. On the other hand, if I pursue just the MSW, I'll just be in school for 2 years.

My goals are the following: To do close work with refugees and human trafficking survivors in the recovery process and do advocacy work and community organizing to galvanize survivors to speak out against the issue.

I believe that the clinical route in the MSW degree will equip me with the knowledge I need to work with this population...but I'm not sure whether it will be enough to pursue the advocacy work that I would like to do. Moreover, I'm becoming increasingly convinced (as a result of the infrastructural changes that are happening within the non-profit I work for) that an MIA will give me the "internationally minded" policy background that I'll need to get hired for the kinds of positions I'm going for.

The thing is, I'm willing to go through 1 more year of school and financial struggle for the second degree, if I can significantly better my skill set and do stronger work for refugees and human trafficking survivors...

Hmm...I've been mulling this over for the past 2 months and have actually been taking 2 economics courses in preparation for the application, should I decide to apply (The admissions FAQ in the SIPA webpage recommend taking at least 2 econ classes). What do you all think?

[annie a]

Hi,

I think it is truly an excellent idea to also obtain an MIA from SIPA, especially if you do not have any existing international advocacy work. Combining that with an MSW will give you quite a strong foundation for the type of work you describe.

In terms of debt, I liken it to priorities...everybody has their own preferences when it comes to an investment. Sure you could do your masters elsewhere for for much less $, but SIPA does have some pretty interesting professors (think Jeffrey Sachs)

Good luck on your decision!

After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from CUSSW's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year at CUSSW. I'm excited for sure, but am wondering at this point how much just the MSW degree will do to help me with my career goals. I'm increasingly considering applying to the international affairs program at SIPA to help better my chances with my pursuing my career objectives. If I do the dual degree program, it means that I can earn 2 degrees within 3 years. On the other hand, if I pursue just the MSW, I'll just be in school for 2 years.

My goals are the following: To do close work with refugees and human trafficking survivors in the recovery process and do advocacy work and community organizing to galvanize survivors to speak out against the issue.

I believe that the clinical route in the MSW degree will equip me with the knowledge I need to work with this population...but I'm not sure whether it will be enough to pursue the advocacy work that I would like to do. Moreover, I'm becoming increasingly convinced (as a result of the infrastructural changes that are happening within the non-profit I work for) that an MIA will give me the "internationally minded" policy background that I'll need to get hired for the kinds of positions I'm going for.

The thing is, I'm willing to go through 1 more year of school and financial struggle for the second degree, if I can significantly better my skill set and do stronger work for refugees and human trafficking survivors...

Hmm...I've been mulling this over for the past 2 months and have actually been taking 2 economics courses in preparation for the application, should I decide to apply (The admissions FAQ in the SIPA webpage recommend taking at least 2 econ classes). What do you all think?

Edited July 27, 2010 by annie a

[emoleys]

Hi,

I think it is truly an excellent idea to also obtain an MIA from SIPA, especially if you do not have any existing international advocacy work. Combining that with an MSW will give you quite a strong foundation for the type of work you describe.

In terms of debt, I liken it to priorities...everybody has their own preferences when it comes to an investment. Sure you could do your masters elsewhere for for much less $, but SIPA does have some pretty interesting professors (think Jeffrey Sachs)

Good luck on your decision!

Thank you so much for your replies! I emphasize the plural!

I think as of now, I'm just going to gear up for the application deadline for the MIA. I'm planning to take the GRE at some point before October, so I'm studying now.

From what I'm hearing from everyone in general, it seems like doing the dual degree will really be worth it in the end for me. Now, I just need to get into SIPA! :-/

Thank you again.