Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)

Dual Degree Programs

The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work currently offers dual degree programs with a number of other USC professional schools. In addition, the school maintains a dual degree program at Hebrew Union College located adjacent to the USC campus.

The goal of these programs is to encourage graduate students to gain a recognized competence in another discipline which has direct relevance to the roles filled by social workers in society. Dual degree programs are based on the premise that some topics covered in the school are also addressed in the curricula of other departments, so that some credit toward an MSW degree may be given for specific courses in the cooperating department. Similarly, these departments have recognized that some credit toward their corresponding degree may be awarded for work completed in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. For this reason, students enrolled in dual degree programs can obtain both degrees with a reduced number of total units. Students wishing to enroll in dual degree programs must apply for and be admitted to both schools.

Master’s Requirements

The Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) dual degree offers the student interdisciplinary preparation in the fields of public health and social work leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

The dual degree program is a collaborative effort between the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the Department of Preventive Medicine in the Keck School of Medicine. The objectives of the program are to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote health, prevent disease and enhance the delivery of health and social services in the community. Students will build interdisciplinary skills and an interdisciplinary professional identity by developing an understanding of the breadth of each field and their interface, while permitting concentration in particular specialization areas. The program prepares graduates for work in a variety of interdisciplinary settings; and for some, it will provide the basis for doctoral study.

Students must complete a minimum of 79 units for completion of this dual degree; 45 units in Social Work and 34 units in Public Health. Most students complete both program requirements over three years for full-time students; however, the program may be completed in less time if the student takes a full course load during the two summer sessions.

Course requirements in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work include the required courses outlined in the Social Work (Integrative Social Work) (MSW)  section of the catalogue. Students will take their remaining MSW units in track courses specific to either AMHW or CYF. Students will be advised into the appropriate courses. 

Students will take MPH course work specific to the following public health concentrations, based on their chosen MSW department: 

• AMHW and CYF Students will take required curriculum in the Community Health Promotion concentration.
• SCI Students will take required curriculum in the Health Services and Policy concentration.

Students in the dual degree program are not required to take the 8 units of concentration electives. This dual degree is open to MSW students in the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) or Adult Mental Health and Wellness (AMHW) tracks who pursue the Community Health Promotions concentration in the MPH program.