Doing the Dual Degree MSW/MIA at Columbia...

[emoleys]

I apologise ahead of time for the double posting of this, but I thought that it would help to get some perspective not just from people who are pursuing a social work degree but also from people who are trying to get an MIA/MPA/MPP.

After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from Columbia Social Work's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year of the social work program at Columbia. 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 both survivors and their allies 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...

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?

[rachaelski]

I am not a social work student, I am currently working on my PhD in education. However, I do have my Master's of Arts in International Affairs. My master plan is to be a professor dually qualified to teach Asian Studies and Education. My dissertation combines my education and IA background/interests and shows that the 2 do agree with each other. I think your MSW/MIA plan is awesome. I bet you could seek out some funding, because the combo is such a unique, yet vitally needed one!

[tdpoulos]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm applying to MSW/MPP programs (Chicago, Columbia, Minnesota, USC, UCLA) because I want to work on policy advocacy for LGBT individuals and families. I wrote my MPP personal statements on how I want my MPP education to supplement my MSW education and future career as a social worker...hope this works. I'm coming straight out of undergrad, which makes me worry a bit about getting admitted. I'm also taking Econ and Stats next semester as part of the prereqs. The dual programs seem like a great education, especially for what I want to do. I hope we both get in!! Keep me updated!

I apologise ahead of time for the double posting of this, but I thought that it would help to get some perspective not just from people who are pursuing a social work degree but also from people who are trying to get an MIA/MPA/MPP.

After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from Columbia Social Work's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year of the social work program at Columbia. 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 both survivors and their allies 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...

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?

[emoleys]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm applying to MSW/MPP programs (Chicago, Columbia, Minnesota, USC, UCLA) because I want to work on policy advocacy for LGBT individuals and families. I wrote my MPP personal statements on how I want my MPP education to supplement my MSW education and future career as a social worker...hope this works. I'm coming straight out of undergrad, which makes me worry a bit about getting admitted. I'm also taking Econ and Stats next semester as part of the prereqs. The dual programs seem like a great education, especially for what I want to do. I hope we both get in!! Keep me updated!

That's wonderful! I'm taking the GREs again next week and hoping that I can boost my score and chances to get in. I hope we both get in as well! It is SO good to hear from someone in a similar situation. I don't feel so crazy anymore for doing this!

[Lola1233]

Hello, I just thought i'd bring this thread back to life. I'd love to hear how the SIPA program was for you Emoleys, or anyone else who pursued a dual degree either informally and formally in the arenas of social work and international affairs.  

Edited October 7, 2013 by Chrislee