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Online dual degree in social work and public health

A dual social work and public health degree program can lead to high-growth jobs in either field. Earn an MSW/MPH online in less than four years.

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Why earn a dual degree in social work and public health?

Make an impact globally

Provide critical social work services to help address the health and safety of global communities and populations.

Get hands-on experience

Satisfy core course requirements online while completing your social work field practicum locally.

Gain leadership skills

Develop in-demand leadership skills for healthcare social work careers in government and nonprofit agencies.


You can become eligible for clinical social work or health leadership and management jobs with a dual master's in social work (MSW) and master's in public health (MPH) degree. Discover how this dual degree works, what courses you can expect in the program, and what you can do with the degree.

Browse MSW programs that cover public health topics

Prestigious
An immersive cohort-based learning experience that is designed to optimize learning outcomes and ensure global networking opportunities.
Flexible
Choose your path with a range of completion options and class times.
Equivalent to on-campus
Earn the same degree and complete the same curriculum as on-campus students.

What is an MSW/MPH dual degree program?

A dual master's in social work and public health program trains students for leadership roles in healthcare, government, and the nonprofit sector. Online dual MSW/MPH degree programs enable you to satisfy field practicum requirements locally while completing core coursework in subjects like global health, public health policy, and social work online.

What can you do with a master's in social work and public health?

Earning a dual master's in social work and public health makes you eligible for clinical social work jobs in public health settings. Graduates of a dual MSW/MPH program are uniquely qualified to mentor, educate, and advocate for the health and wellbeing of the global community.

Here are some common jobs that require integrated social work and public health skills, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

How does the MSW/MPH dual degree work?

A dual MSW/MPH program combines coursework designed for job placement in either field. The core module of the dual degree gives equal weight to both majors, combining courses in subjects like human behavior in the social environment, social work clinical practice, and field experience with biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health policy and administration.

Most online master's in social work and public health programs take one to three years to complete, depending on whether you choose to enroll in a full- or part-time program. Some programs offer optional specialized tracks in subjects like health policy and management or behavioral health, which may extend the completion time.

While programs vary widely by school, most dual MSW/MPH programs are composed of 75 to 95 credits and cost between roughly $30,000 and $80,000.

Learn about admissions requirements

Though admissions requirements may vary by school, applying to an MSW/MPH typically includes:

  • A specific application process, such as:
    • A single application to the dual program, which requires you to submit one application for admission into the combined master's in social work and public health; or
    • Separate applications for the MSW and the MPH, which may include unique admissions requirements for each program
  • Prerequisites, such as:
    • A bachelor's degree, most commonly in social work, humanities, or liberal arts, though some schools accept undergraduate degrees in any field
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    • Relevant professional experience (only required for some programs)
    • Volunteer experience (may be preferred, but not required)
  • Materials, such as:
    • Academic transcripts
    • A résumé or CV
    • Statement of purpose
    • References
    • An application fee between $65 and $150

Discover common MSW/MPH courses

Online MSW/MPH degree programs integrate social work and public health coursework to build skills in both disciplines. The following courses are commonly required for this dual degree:

  • Foundations of global health: This course takes a multi-faceted approach, covering the broad principles, ethics, governance, and strategies that define global health.
  • History and philosophy of public health: You'll learn about the emergence of public health systems and philosophies in the 18th and 19th centuries and how these principles still apply today.
  • Social welfare programs and policies: This course examines social welfare issues and the role social workers play in addressing them. It also explores common policy analysis tools.
  • Public health management and leadership: Coursework builds strong managerial skills in areas specific to public health, such as strategic planning, policy processes, and global health trends.
  • Field practicum: You must complete a field experience that enables you to apply what you learn in a practical social work or public health setting. Programs typically work with students to find relevant placement in a healthcare, community, or nonprofit agency.

Take the next step in your career

Take a step closer to becoming a public health social worker by exploring edX master's degree programs or signing up for a course today.

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