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Master of Public Health / Master of Social Work in
Public Health / Social Welfare

Combine Your Interests in Public Health and Social Welfare Practice

Promote individual and community wellness by working in management roles in health care organizations and applying an epidemiological approach to the prevention and treatment of social problems. The dual Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Social Work (MSW) program allows you to earn both degrees more quickly by letting some credits count toward requirements for each.

Social work courses in this program lead to an MSW concentration in macro practice which focuses on advocacy, community building, resource development, and outcome evaluation. Public health coursework leads to an MPH concentration in health policy and management.

The master’s in public health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and the master’s in social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Program of Study

programofstudy

The MPH/MSW program requires 54 credits for the MSW and 39 credits for the MPH for a total of 93 credits.


Social Welfare Courses (39 credits)

  • Social Welfare Policy and Services
  • Human Behavior and Social Environment I and I
  • Micro Practice in Social Work I and II
  • Macro Practice in Social Work I and II
  • Introductory Research Methodology
  • Research Methods in Program Evaluation for Social Welfare Management
  • Community Building
  • Leadership in Human Service Organizations
  • Advanced MACRO course
  • One elective


Fieldwork and Internship (18 credits)

Social Work: Field Instruction I, II, III, IV (15 credits)
Public Health: One professional internship (3 credits)

 

Public Health Courses (36 credits)

  • Professional Practice in Public Health
  • Biological Basis of Public Health
  • Introduction to Environmental Health
  • Principles and Methods of Epidemiology I
  • Basic Principles in Statistical Inference or Principles in Statistical Inference I
  • Health Care Organization Delivery and Financing
  • Health Policy Analysis
  • Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
  • Additional Quantitative Course
  • Applications in Health Policy Analysis and Evaluation or SSW Advanced Policy Course
  • Principles of Healthcare Organization Management
  • Strategy and Leadership Applications in Health Management
  • Integrative Learning Experience


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Julia Hastings at [email protected].

Career Paths


Earning both an MPH and MSW makes you a competitive candidate for roles such as:

  • Health Advocacy Director
  • Health Legislative Assistant
  • Public Program Evaluator
  • Health Policy Analyst
  • Health Commissioner
  • Hospital Administrator
  • Director of Family Health Services
  • Mental Health Researcher

 

 

Medical team meeting
career

Admission Requirements

Deadlines
  • Fall: February 29 at 11:59pm
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
MPH/MSW Application

The application and all supporting materials for the MPH/MSW must be submitted directly to the University at Albany Office of Graduate Admissions.


Application Requirements

  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing
  • Grade point average of 3.00 or better
  • One semester of social sciences
  • A college level course in mathematics (algebra or pre-calculus) or statistics with a grade of B or higher
     

Note: GRE not required for admission.

 

For application specific questions, contact us at [email protected] or 518-402-0361.


International Requirements

  • International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 98, IELTS score of 7.0, or Duolingo score of 125. We will only accept official scores sent by the testing institution.
  • UAlbany SOPHAS TOEFL code is 2532. We do not use department codes. For electronic IELTS score results reporting, provide the following information to your test center:
    University at Albany (SUNY)
    1400 Washington Avenue
    Albany, NY 12222
  • The TOEFL or IELTS is not required for international students who have completed at least four semesters of full-time study within a four-year time frame from time of application, and maintained at least a B average at a college or university in the United States or a country from an approved list.  For questions regarding English Language Proficiency waivers, please email Soha Acosta at [email protected].


Required Application Materials

Official transcripts

  • Official transcripts from EVERY post-secondary academic institution attended, including college coursework completed during high school, must be sent directly from the institution to University at Albany Office of Graduate Admissions. You must report all colleges and universities attended and submit official transcripts, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. 

 

Three letters of recommendation

  • A minimum of two must be from academic faculty 
  • At least one from a university faculty member in the major field of study
  • Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may submit professional references
  • Letters must be signed and on institutional/organizational letterhead

 

Personal Statement

The faculty of the School of Social Welfare and College of Integrated Health Sciences separately evaluate your application. You will be submitting a variety of evidence concerning your ability to undertake a graduate program in social welfare and public health. An important component in your application is the content of your personal statement. The length of this statement should be 1‐4 pages, double‐spaced. Use the outline that follows to complete your personal statement.

A. The Professions of Social Welfare and Public Health as a Career Goal

  1. Why does a career combining social welfare and public health appeal to you?
  2. Describe how your personal and intellectual qualifications, past health and human service experience and/or future goals are relevant to assisting communities and the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in our society. Please use specific examples.
  3. What particular aspects or special fields of social welfare and public health interest you most?

B. Experience as a Student

  1. How do you expect your performance in graduate school to compare with your performance as an undergraduate student?
  2. Give reasons for any differences you may anticipate.

C. Work/Volunteer Experience

  1. Describe your experience in any human services professional or volunteer role.

D. Other Experience

  1. Describe your experience/participation in school and community activities.
  2. Describe your experience in the helping role, such as with family, friends, peers, or colleagues in which you gave or received help.


CV/Resume

Special Notes

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.



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