Dual MPH/MSW Program

Program Highlights

This dual degree program, co-sponsored by the VCU School of Social Work and the School of Public Health, allows students to earn both a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.). The program is designed for efficiency, enabling students to complete both degrees with a minimum of 84 credits rather than the 105 credits typically required if pursued separately, thus lowering overall tuition costs and reducing the time to earn both degrees. Diplomas are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all requirements for both degree programs.

The objectives of this dual degree program are to prepare graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and/or organizations; advocate for social, health care, and economic justice in a diverse and multicultural society; and promote physical and mental health across the life course.

Potential benefits and student competencies include:

• Advocating for policy change to promote social justice and improve the health of vulnerable populations.

• Applying a systems-thinking approach to enhance the delivery of health and social services in a community.

• Applying theoretical principles to develop community-based interventions targeting health behavior change and designed to reduce risk factors contributing to poor health outcomes.

• Assessing the effectiveness of programs to improve societal conditions and health issues.

• Applying research methods to advance the science of health equity.

Delivery Modes

The dual degree program can be pursued in a full-time or part-time format, as established by the admission criteria for the M.S.W. component.

Curriculum Overview

The dual degree requires a minimum of 84 graduate credit hours, with students completing a minimum of 48 M.S.W. credit hours and a minimum of 36 M.P.H. credit hours. The standalone M.P.H. program curriculum typically includes 26 credit hours of required core courses, nine credit hours of concentration courses, and 10 credits of electives. Specific courses within the M.S.W. curriculum count toward the M.P.H. degree and vice versa, allowing for the reduced total credit requirement.

The curriculum includes a social work field placement that aligns with M.P.H. program requirements and an M.P.H. integrated learning experience (capstone project), which is frequently based on the work of the social work field placement.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School . For the M.S.W. component of the dual degree, minimum criteria include:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework.

3. Completion of two three-credit prerequisite courses in the social and behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics), or health sciences, biological sciences, or humanities. These must be completed prior to enrollment.

Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to social welfare and social justice, reflected in their professional statement and background (social work employment, internships, volunteer work).

Students must apply to both programs simultaneously or apply to the M.P.H. program during the first months of the M.S.W. curriculum. Applications to the M.P.H. program are through SOPHAS (requiring a fee and a supplemental VCU application with a fee). Applications to the M.S.W. program are through VCU’s graduate programs portal (requiring a fee).

Career and Practical Experience

The program prepares graduates for careers that involve working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations, with a strong focus on advocating for social justice and improving the health of vulnerable populations. Students are assigned an adviser from each program to develop a plan of study. Advisers coordinate to ensure that M.S.W. field placements align with M.P.H. requirements and that the M.P.H. capstone project, often stemming from the field placement, meets M.P.H. program standards.