Dual Degree - MSW/MPH

[Kim K]

Hi! I wanted to start a forum for people interested in dual degrees, specifically the MSW/MPH combination. I applied for this dual program at 4 schools and so far I've been accepted to both MSW & MPH at Columbia and the MPH at BU. For anyone that doesn't know and might be interested, admissions for these programs is tricky because you have to get into two separate schools (e.g., the school of social work and the school of public health) at the same university. I decided to apply simultaneously right out of undergrad instead of applying to one program and then applying to the other program in my first year.

......However, now I'm having second thoughts about whether or not I really want/need the MSW, considering my undergrad degree is in applied psychology and I took a lot of social work-related courses. I know I need more education in public health than in social work, and I'm worried that I might not get that if I do the dual degree. For reference, I'm interested in community/macro-level work (administration, policy), not clinical work.

If anyone has any thoughts/experience, I would appreciate it!!

[socialworkguy]

Hi! I wanted to start a forum for people interested in dual degrees, specifically the MSW/MPH combination. I applied for this dual program at 4 schools and so far I've been accepted to both MSW & MPH at Columbia and the MPH at BU. For anyone that doesn't know and might be interested, admissions for these programs is tricky because you have to get into two separate schools (e.g., the school of social work and the school of public health) at the same university. I decided to apply simultaneously right out of undergrad instead of applying to one program and then applying to the other program in my first year.

......However, now I'm having second thoughts about whether or not I really want/need the MSW, considering my undergrad degree is in applied psychology and I took a lot of social work-related courses. I know I need more education in public health than in social work, and I'm worried that I might not get that if I do the dual degree. For reference, I'm interested in community/macro-level work (administration, policy), not clinical work.

If anyone has any thoughts/experience, I would appreciate it!!

I spent the last semester taking MPH courses at OU in the dual MSW/MPH degree, but decided to only pursue the MSW.  The MSW degree offered in the dual degree here is in Administration & Community Practice, while the MPH degree is in Health Promotion Sciences.  This gives a pretty good balance of community and macro level work from the MSW degree.  I'm not sure how it is at your school, but if the MSW degree is more clinical, and you would like to pursue a career in PH, then the MSW may not be as valuable to your career path.  But if it is in a more community based speciality, then I would say go for it.  Hope that helps!

[Kim K]

I spent the last semester taking MPH courses at OU in the dual MSW/MPH degree, but decided to only pursue the MSW.  The MSW degree offered in the dual degree here is in Administration & Community Practice, while the MPH degree is in Health Promotion Sciences.  This gives a pretty good balance of community and macro level work from the MSW degree.  I'm not sure how it is at your school, but if the MSW degree is more clinical, and you would like to pursue a career in PH, then the MSW may not be as valuable to your career path.  But if it is in a more community based speciality, then I would say go for it.  Hope that helps!

Thank you very much - that definitely helps!