A group of three students studying in a UAlbany Downtown Campus courtyard.

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

Program of Study

programofstudy

You can earn your MSW and MPH more quickly through this dual-degree program because the combined curriculum counts certain credits toward requirements for each.


Social Welfare Courses

  • Social Welfare Policy Practice
  • Human Behavior and Social Environment I and II
  • Community Building
  • Leadership in Human Service Organizations
  • 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
  • One Advanced Macro Social Work Course
  • One Social Welfare Elective
  • Social Work Field Instruction I, II, III, IV (15 credits)
  • Professional Internship in Public Health

Public Health Courses

  • 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].

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State. 
For more information on Professional Licensure Disclosure, please see the Graduate Bulletin.

Career Paths

Graduates of the dual MSW/MPH program typically move into administrative roles in public and nonprofit health and social welfare agencies that provide community services in their area of interest.

Sample job titles:

  • Child Obesity Data Analyst
  • Community Health Project Lead
  • Social Welfare Research Consultant
  • Maternal Health Services Manager
  • Homeless Youth Outreach Organizer
  • Addiction Recovery Transition Planner
  • Harm Reduction Results Evaluator
  • Disease Prevention Awareness Specialist
  • Family Wellness Center Administrator
  • Public Health Education Planner
  • Outcomes Assessment Supervisor


 

Doctors at a conference
career

Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines

Fall: January 31 at 11:59 pm
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].


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.