Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration

Dual Degree Programs

The 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 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 Public Administration/Master of Social Work (MPA/MSW) dual degree program provides those students interested in careers as administrators of social service agencies the opportunity to combine preparation in the substantive field of social work with the acquisition of the administrative capabilities necessary in the public sector. Students must complete 82 units: 54 units in social work and 28 units in public administration.

Course requirements in the Social Work include the required courses in outlined in the Social Work (MSW)  section of the catalogue. Students will take their remaining MSW units in department core courses specific to either the AMHW, SCI or CYF department. Students will be advised into the appropriate courses.

Most students complete both program requirements over a 24-month period for full-time students. See the Master of Public Administration/Master of Social Work (MPA/MSW)  in the USC Price School of Public Policy for course requirements.