Purpose/Justification
The social work profession has as its primary goal the enhancement of social functioning of all persons as individuals, family members, community participants, and members of society. Social work practice is concerned with promoting the well-being of all persons, ameliorating the harmful effects of unhealthy social environments, and striving to achieve social and economic justice. The purposes of the MSW degree are to encourage a broad-based perspective and value system, to provide knowledge for understanding and positively influencing human behavior and social systems, and to develop advanced skills for professional practice. The MSW degree combined with the MPH degree enables students to prepare for careers in which knowledge and skills in both social work and public health are critical.
The MPH degree is widely recognized as valuable training for professionals pursuing careers in health-related fields. In addition, skills learned in public health core disciplines, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, health administration and others, are essential for persons conducting clinical or community-based research or those involved with health services organizations. The value of combining the MPH degree with other graduate degrees is evident and prepares students to use the expertise gained in other educational programs toward solving crucial public health and health-care needs.
Required Semester Credit Hours
The joint MSW/MPH program will require a total of 72 semester credit hours. The degree can be completed in 3 - 4 years as a full-time student. The joint MSW/MPH program for advanced standing students will require a total of 61 semester credit hours. The degree for AS students can be completed in 2 - 3 years.
Up to 12 semester credit hours earned as part of the MPH program applies to the students’ MSW degree for full program students and 6 semester credit hours for Advanced Standing students.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the MSW/MPH Dual Degree Program are admitted independently by UH GCSW to the MSW program and by UTHSC-H SPH to the MPH program according to each program’s admission schedule. Applicants are required to meet all standards stipulated by the respective institutions as detailed in their admissions policies.
Although admission status may be shared between the two admission offices, admission materials (e.g., transcripts, letters of reference) will not be shared between admission offices, and admission to one program does not ensure admission to the other institution or its degree program. Further, failure to be admitted to one program does not negatively impact admission to the other institution or its degree program. A student at either institution may not be matriculated at the other institution without completing the formal application and acceptance process.
Academic Requirements
The MSW Program in the Graduate College of Social Work requires that students complete 51 semester credit hours (SCH) of master’s level courses. Of these credit hours, 35 SCH are required courses, 4 SCH are practicum courses, and 12 SCH are electives. MSW students must complete a 15 SCH foundation curriculum, and then enter one of two concentrations, (1) Clinical Practice or (2) Macro Practice. Advanced Standing MSW students are required to complete 34 SCH of masters level courses. They are also required to select one of two concentrations, Clinical Practice or Macro Practice. Students admitted to the concurrent MSW/MPH degree track may select either MSW concentration.
The MPH program requires a minimum of 45 semester credit hours for graduation, including the completion of an internship experience and a culminating experience on a topic related to public health. A minimum of 33 semester credits hours from SPH courses is required. Students must demonstrate competence in five discipline areas that constitute the core of public health skills and knowledge. These are: Behavioral Science, Biostatistics, Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology, and Health Management and Policy Sciences. Remaining courses will be chosen to reflect the career interest of the student and the dual nature of the program.
For the dual degree program, 12 semester credit hours earned as part of the MPH program are applied toward 4 electives in the MSW program; 12 hours from the MSW are applied toward the students’ MPH degree. For the Advanced Standing dual degree, 6 semester credit hours from the MPH are applied toward 2 elective courses in the MSW program; 12 hours from the MSW are applied towards the MPH degree.
Curriculum Model
The first year of the concurrent degree program must be in one college or the other. The student may choose which college to begin the joint program. All MSW Foundation coursework (including credit for Generalist Practicum 1) must be completed prior to taking any advanced social work courses. After completion of the MSW Foundation coursework, MSW and MPH courses can be taken concurrently.
Graduation Requirements
After meeting the requirements of each degree program, students in the concurrent degree program will receive diplomas from each school, respectively. If a student in the concurrent degree program does not complete the requirements of the MPH program, the student may complete the MSW program by fulfilling all the requirements of the MSW program. Shared credits from the MPH program will not be applied to the MSW program. If a student in the dual degree program does not complete the requirements of the MSW program, the student may complete the MPH program by fulfilling all the requirements of the MPH program. Shared credits from the MSW program will not be applied to the MPH program.