MSW and education dual degree programs prepare students for careers in educational administration, special education administration, therapeutic school administration and teaching as well as counseling, guidance counseling, school social work, special education instruction, mainstream instruction, education advocacy and teaching, education research, curriculum development, and more.
In this guideThe type of education degree awarded is the Master of Education (MEd) or the Master of Science in Education. Those earning an MSW/education dual degree typically focus on primary and secondary education (grades K-6 and 7-12), but some programs offer a focus on early childhood education and development.
Educators who also hold an MSW are especially suited for working in school districts or schools located in high poverty communities due to their knowledge of social justice issues, trauma informed programs, and mental health services. They will be better prepared to work with children and adolescents who have experienced multiple challenges at the micro and mezzo levels of their social ecosystems (e.g., foster care, underfunded institutions and services, etc.). They better understand traumatic stress and behavioral challenges stemming from surviving traumatic experiences such as abuse, domestic violence, or community violence.
Innovative trauma-informed school programs have been the subject of documentaries (for example, Paper Tigers) and these programs are being replicated in other regions and schools. These programs may feature a mindfulness curriculum to address problem behaviors in the classroom, have innovative community and mental health services available onsite in schools, or they may have unique violence prevention or restorative justice programs.
Students earning a dual degree in education and social work can be leaders in changing our educational systems to more competently address the myriad challenges faced by the current generation of students, especially students of color.
Younger students as well as career changes are suitable candidates for this dual degree. Younger students may want to gain some related experience before pursuing the dual master’s degree, but they will eventually gain this experience through field work and student teaching, if they want to teach. Career changers may also want to work in a social work or education setting before beginning the dual degree program to make sure this is the field they want to switch to.
MSW MEd dual-degree overview
The dual MSW/education degree program will take longer to finish than an MSW program alone. At the same time, the dual degree program will take less time to finish than earning the two degrees separately. A dual degree program typically requires completion of around eighty credit hours. A full-time student could complete the program in about three years. Not all dual degree programs offer part-time options.
The dual degree program also is more expensive than earning one degree since you must take more credit hours to fulfill the requirements of each degree. Certain required and elective courses, however, will fulfill requirements for both degree programs, which decreases the overall course load.
Required courses that may fulfill core requirement for both degree programs include:
- Intro and advanced research methods courses
- Intro and advanced policy courses
- Child and adolescent behavior courses and human behavior courses
Electives that may fulfill the elective requirements of both programs include:
- Specialized policy or advanced research courses (e.g., program evaluation)
- Assessment courses (educational or mental health assessment)
- Leadership and administration courses
If a student does a social work concentration in a particular area such as school social work, these advanced courses can also count toward both degrees.
Students with a BSW can apply for advanced standing in the MSW program which will accelerate the program and decrease their course load. Advanced standing students are exempt from taking required courses they already took as BSW students (e.g., intro to social policy, generalist practice). Advanced standing students also typically complete one field work internship rather than two. The advanced standing MSW program could take as little as two semesters to complete.
According to the Council on Social Work Education only seven accredited social work schools offer the social work/education dual degree, with four offering the program online. This is one of the less frequently offered dual degree programs, but the number of schools offering this dual degree will undoubtedly increase as the demand for educators and education administrators with trauma training, mental health experience, and an interest in social justice issues increases.
Make a list of your first choice MSW programs then contact them to find out if they offer this dual degree (CSWE information is not always correct). Even if they do not officially offer a dual degree some schools will work with you to create your own dual degree track.
Admissions requirements for dual degree programs are as rigorous as applying to each school separately. Certain MSW programs will take the lead with admissions and the education program application is secondary, while others require prospective students to apply to both programs separately. Some schools encourage students to complete a semester in one program before applying to the second program. Applicants generally need an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission to any social work dual degree program.
Coursework and outcomes
Graduate level education programs typically include coursework in education theory, course design, different learning styles, leadership, education policy, child behavior, and educational assessment. Those who want to teach must take a subject area course to prepare to teach that subject. This includes teaching English as a second language. Most education graduate degrees will facilitate the path to becoming a certified teacher, but certification requirements vary by state.
MSW programs required students not in the advanced standing track (see above – those with a BSW) to take a core set of required courses including generalist practice, social welfare policy, research methods, and human behavior and the social environment. Foundation courses also generally include advanced clinical practice, policy advocacy, and a second research course. Once the foundation courses are complete students can specialize in a particular area of interest such as child and adolescent mental health, leadership and administration, research and evaluation, social policy, or clinical practice.
The fields of social work and education have many overlapping values including the belief in maximizing human potential, working toward social justice, innovative practices and systems change, and mental health and wellness for students and teachers. Clients and students are both impacted by social welfare programs, nutrition programs, work policies, violence prevention policies, and mental health policy.
Social policies are critical for educators to be aware of so they can connect students with all available resources and advocate for better policies or expanded budgets. Likewise, specializations in the education program will benefit the social work side of graduates’ careers such as understanding how to reinforce positive behaviors, knowledge of early childhood development, and the importance of collaboration between human services and schools.
Both programs also will help students become evidence-based practitioners who understand the language of research and who can effectively evaluate research evidence for specific programs and policies. Both disciplines allow students to specialize in leadership and administration (or macro practice) which will benefit their work in educational systems, schools, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, or even government. Concentrations in each program may overlap allowing students to create a specialized knowledge base.
Certain education and social work dual degree programs require a focus on a particular age group or area of practice. For example, the Silberman School of Social Work offers a dual degree program with the Bank Street College of Education in infant and parent development. The University of Pittsburgh’s dual degree program specifically prepares students for secondary school teaching or leadership. Boston University requires students to concentrate in educational leadership or special education. Prospective dual degree students should carefully research what concentrations are optional or required.
Students can choose fieldwork placements and student teaching opportunities that help them prepare for working with their population of interest. For example, students interested in teaching students with disabilities can complete their field work in a human services agency that serves children with disabilities. Student teaching can complement students’ social work interests and goals as well. Teaching ESL students is a good option if students are interested in working with immigrant children and families or teaching in an urban or rural school district if they are interested in implementing mental health programs in urban or rural schools.
Dual degree students must complete two social work field placements if they do not have a BSW, and if they want to teach, a student teaching assignment. Some students may fulfill their field work assignment at their current place of employment while others may do teacher training at a school where they currently work. Student teachers may also have an opportunity to get paid for their teaching. Not all master’s education programs will require student teaching if, for example, a student is concentrating on educational policy or leadership.
Online MSW and MEd dual-degree programs
Four schools offer a fully online MSW/education dual degree program. Online programs are generally organized the same as in-person programs in that the application process is similar as are credit requirements, field and student teaching requirements, etc. Students who cannot locate to a new city or who have caregiving responsibilities may find that completing the dual degree online is best for them.
Online students will be able to complete their fieldwork and student teaching placements close to home. Prospective students should ask program administrators if any on campus time is required of online students (e.g., orientation, residency, etc.). Online programs also take about three years full-time to complete.
Career outlook for MSW and master’s in education dual-degree holders
The job market for social workers, early education professionals, and primary and secondary teachers and administrators is strong. Job growth in school social work and social work with children and families will grow (+13 percent) through 2030.
Social work salaries vary by geographic location and seniority in the job, and can be as low as $40,000 or as high as $80,000 or more. The demand for primary and secondary school teachers (+8 percent) and special education teachers (+12 percent) through 2030 will also continue to grow as the exodus from education by older professionals continues. The demand for principals is expected to grow by 8% through 2030.
Teacher salaries fall in a similar range as social work salaries, varying by location, but those with a dual degree can advance more quickly into leadership positions that bridge social work and education. These degree holders, particularly those in educational management and leadership, are more likely to make six figure salaries.
FAQs
About three years full time.
The dual degree is fewer credits than getting each degree separately because some required courses and electives will count toward both degrees.
There are many benefits including being exposed to students and ideas from both programs, higher paying employment opportunities, and the ability to switch careers to focus more on one discipline or the other at any point in your career.
It can cost more and take longer to finish the program compared to getting a single degree.
Yes, there are a handful of programs that offer a fully online format.
secondary schools in your state. The dual degree will facilitate this process and help you get certified quicker. If you want to work in a position that requires an LCSW or LMSW or other social work credentials you will need to take the appropriate licensing exam. If you are going into macro work, leadership, policy, or research you will not need to go through the credentialing process.
Courses and curricula vary as certain education programs focus on specific areas of teaching or educational leadership. Some dual social work programs may require a specific focus but generally you will be able to concentrate on an area of interest of your choosing in the social work program. Both programs will require foundation courses in research, student/client assessment, human behavior, and policy. Certain required courses will fulfill the requirements of the other degree therefore decreasing your course load.
Any dual degree program in social work will increase your earning potential as you will be on a fast track to leadership positions that pay more. Plan your career carefully and demand the salary you deserve. Ask practitioners in the field and your academic advisors for advice about career opportunities and salaries.