Dual MPH/MSW Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) dual degree. This program is designed to provide comprehensive academic training, developing expertise at the nexus of public health and social work practices.

The primary goal is to train leaders equipped with the skills and competencies to address complex social and public health problems facing Alaska, the nation, and the world.

A significant advantage of this dual degree option is that some courses count towards graduation requirements in both programs, reducing the total time and credits needed compared to pursuing the degrees sequentially.

The MPH component of the dual degree is guided by national accreditation criteria from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), ensuring quality standards in public health education.

Delivery Modes

The MSW/MPH dual degree program offers flexibility, allowing students to pursue their studies on a full-time or part-time basis. Graduate Studies Plans (GSPs) are developed to accommodate each student's status and entry semester.

Curriculum Overview

The MSW/MPH dual degree requires a minimum of 60 credits (for students admitted to the MSW program with advanced standing) and a maximum of 84 credits. The MPH degree component specifically requires a minimum of 42 credits of public health-relevant coursework.

Core MPH courses (26 credits total) cover fundamental areas such as Public Health and Society (HS A605), Environmental and Occupational Health (HS A610), Health Services Administration (HS A615), Biostatistics for Health Professionals (HS A625), and Principles of Epidemiology (HS A626).

The MPH curriculum includes an Applied Practice Experience (HS A695, 3 credits) and an Integrative Learning Experience (HS A696, 2 credits), providing practical application and synthesis of knowledge.

Shared courses that count towards both degrees include Program Evaluation (HS/SWK A628) and research methods (HS A629 or SWK A624), along with advisor-approved electives with public health content (3-6 credits).

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students must first complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Admission to the dual degree program requires separate applications and acceptance into both the MSW program and the MPH in Public Health Practice program . Applicants must meet the specific admission requirements for each program, which can be found on their respective catalog pages.

Career & Practical Experience

The MSW/MPH dual degree program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles where they can impact social and public health outcomes.

A key component of the MPH curriculum is the Applied Practice Experience (HS A695), which provides students with valuable hands-on experience in a real-world public health setting, allowing them to apply their academic learning to practical challenges.