School of Social Administration

MSW / MPH Dual Degree

The School of Social Administration and the Department of Public Health of Temple University offer a Dual Degree Program that affords both full and part-time students at the Philadelphia campus an opportunity to earn the MSW (Master of Social Work) and the MPH (Master of Public Health) degrees. This is the only such program in the greater Philadelphia area.

Program Goal:

The goal of the Program is to prepare professionals to assess, understand, and address health-related conditions that impact the well being of individuals, populations, and communities. MSW/MPH graduates seek employment as administrators; policy and program planners and evaluators; counselors or clinicians; educators; and/or researchers.

Curriculum:

Students take courses in both departments throughout their degree program. Within Social Work, students choose from among three concentrations--Clinical, Communities and Policy Arenas, or Management--and two specializations-- Children and Families or Health/Mental Health or an option to create an individualized program. Students complete internships in community agencies where they have opportunities to apply theories and skills from both professions to health-related practice. Within Public Health, students design, undertake, and evaluate a capstone project that they carry out in their internships. The Dual Degree Program meets the requirements of the accrediting bodies of both Social Administration and Public Health.

Degree Requirements:

Students can complete the Program in three years (plus summers) full-time and four years (plus summers) part-time. Those awarded Advanced Standing (applicants with BSW degrees from accredited undergraduate programs who meet additional admission requirements) can complete the program in two years (plus summers) full-time and three years (plus summers) part-time. Both programs provide fieldwork advising. Most courses are offered during evening and/or weekend hours.

Admission Criteria:

• A baccalaureate degree or higher with relevant courses in the behavioral, social, and natural sciences;
• An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale;
• A grade point average of 3.0 or higher for graduate courses taken;
• Acceptable GRE scores on each of the verbal and quantitative exams for admission to the Public Health Department;
• A satisfactory score on the TOEFL exam (for international students).

Admission Requirements:

• Four letters of recommendation, two for each program;
• A description of significant paid or volunteer experience in public health, social services, or a related field;
• A written statement reflecting public health interest, social work interest, and professional goals;
• Official academic transcripts (to be submitted to the MSW Program).

Admission Procedure:

Students must meet both programs’ admission requirements. Once accepted by both programs, applicants are considered for Dual Degree Program admission. Applications are available on line (www.mdev.temple.edu/gradschool) and must be submitted to each of the programs. Applicants should indicate their interest in the MSW/MPH prominently on the first page of the form.

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