MSW / MPH Joint Degree Program School of Social Work and Department of Health Science

The Department of Health Science and the School of Social Work at New Mexico State University offer a joint MSW / MPH graduate degree program. The two degrees are: Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education.

Application/admission plan

Students interested in pursuing this joint degree program must:

• Complete the application for the NMSU Graduate School.
• Clearly indicate on the Graduate School application that you are applying for the MPH/MSW joint degree program
• Prepare and submit separate admissions applications to both programs
• Notify each program in writing of the intent to complete the joint degree program
• Be officially admitted to both degree programs
• The current admission policies in place for both the MPH and the MSW degree programs would apply. Students applying for the joint degree program would need to be accepted by both academic units.
• Complete all course requirements for both degree programs as outlined below
• Complete separate final examinations for both degree programs

Academic Unit Approvals

• The School of Social Work approved the proposal for a joint degree program at their March 10, 2006 faculty meeting.
• The Department of Health Science approved the proposal for a joint degree program at their March 3, 2006 faculty meeting.
• This joint graduate degree program was approved on May 4, 2006 by the New Mexico State University Graduate Council.

Benefits

The following serve as some of the benefits seen from the proposal:

• The values and ethics of both programs are similar, and both programs have an emphasis on social justice.
• The programs complement each other: Public Health focuses on populations of people and is highly analytical; social work focuses on individual, groups, and communities within the social environment and provides both qualitative and quantities research classes.
• Both programs heavily emphasize cross-cultural content in classes.
• The MPH requires 160 clock hours of field experience for the entire program with supervision by an MPH or a Certified Health Education Specialist in an agency relevant to public health. The MSW field program has numerous placements that fit these criteria.
• Completion of the MPH makes students eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist exam; Completion of the MSW makes students eligible for the MSW exams. Both add to graduates’ employability.

There are 21 schools of social work that have joint MSW/MPH degrees. Most analogous to NMSU is San Diego State University with approximately 30 students enrolled in the joint degree program and a location on the border with Mexico . The degree is becoming increasing popular. Many students find this combined degree appealing, particularly if they are interested in public health and community outreach. Students from other countries and students who have graduated from the Peace Corps find that this degree furthers their careers in international service.

Course Requirements/Program of Study

Students must satisfy all course requirements for both degree programs.

The MPH non thesis option program requires 49 credit hours. In the combined program, up to 12 credit hours would result from taking MSW courses. This leaves 37 credit hours to be taken within the MPH program.

The MSW two year program requires 60 credit hours. In the combined program, 12 credit hours would result from taking MPH courses. This leaves 48 credit hours to be taken within the MSW program. The PDF - MPH/MSW program for a student in the two year MSW program and also getting the MPH degree would require 85 credit hours of work across both programs. Students would be able to complete their program of study in 3 years.

For MSW Advanced Standing students, 9 of their 36 required hours would come from the MPH program, leaving 27 credit hours of MSW coursework. For MSW advanced standing students in the MPH program, 15 of the required 49 credit hours would result from taking MSW courses. This would leave 34 hours to be taken within the MPH program. The program of study for a student in the MSW Advanced Standing and also getting the MPH degree would require 61 credit hours of work across both programs.

Advanced standing students could complete their program of study in 2 years.

For more information on this program, please contact: