Prospective social work students may want to consider an MSW dual-degree program that allows you to earn two master’s degrees concurrently. These programs are suitable for students who have strong interests and career goals that cross disciplines and fields of practice.
Below is an overview of six of the most popular social work dual degree programs (more detailed information is provided about each on the site under degrees) and information about applying to and completing such a program
Who should consider an MSW dual-degree program?
Prospective MSW students who are struggling to decide whether they need an MSW to do non-clinical social work might think about applying to a dual degree program. Some may want to learn the foundational principles of social work but are not sure they really need an MSW to work in management or advocacy positions.
Other prospective MSW students who hold a bachelor’s of social work (BSW) may have gained clinical experience but then realized they had a strong interest in social service, education, nonprofit, government, or public health management. They too may want to pursue a dual degree. This is not to say however that BSW holders with clinical experience would not also benefit from a dual degree. See below for ideas about the types of jobs dual degree holders might pursue, including clinical positions.
Earning a dual degree can help graduates excel in a career that crosses disciplinary boundaries. Students will integrate their knowledge from both disciplines to develop new ideas and discover where each field has complimentary goals. BSW holders as well as those with a different undergraduate degree can apply to a dual degree program.
Those without a BSW will get a comprehensive social work education through a dual degree program while those with a BSW can develop advanced practice skills or specialize in a different aspect of social work that interests them; this is all accomplished while studying a second discipline. Dual degree students can complete field work in a setting relevant to the second discipline they are studying. They also will benefit from exposure to students and ideas from the other discipline.
Some prospective MSW students may wonder if simply earning a certificate or certification in a specialized field of social work, such as forensic or school social work, in addition to earning an MSW is enough to advance their career. It can be in some instances, but if students want to advance more quickly into leadership positions a dual degree will help them do so. It will also help them transition into a non-social service oriented job or career (e.g., becoming the CEO of a business) if they want to do so in the future.
Popular social work dual degree programs
The following is an overview of popular dual degree programs in social work and career goals that can be met by earning each type of dual-degree.
This is not an exhaustive list of dual degree programs. Some schools also offer, for example, dual-degree programs in social work and criminal justice, urban planning, public policy, and art. For a comprehensive list of dual degree programs see CSWE’s listing of accredited social work programs.
MSW MBA dual degree programs
Social work and business administration: Earning a dual MSW/MBA degree can help students develop the leadership skills needed to lead a social service or government agency. The MSW provides students with advanced clinical and policy knowledge while the MBA helps them develop skills in planning and managing budgets, starting for-profit ventures that help fund non-profit activities and services, and managing teams. Business and social work may seem like polar opposites but they do not have to be. In fact, many social service and nonprofit organizations are successfully run by MBAs. At present, 29 social work programs offer an MSW/MBA dual degree with 18 offering a fully online option.
MSW and MPA dual-degree programs
Social work and public administration: Earning a dual MSW/MPA degree can provide many of the same benefits as an MSW/MBA dual-degree (see above), but the MPA curriculum will be more focused on running nonprofit, government, or social service organizations, rather than a business. Students also will learn more about preparing public and private grant funding applications, lobbying elected officials for funding, and raising funds in other ways (e.g., fundraising events or personal appeals to philanthropists).
Earning an MSW/MPA degree can provide a fast track to leadership in a variety of settings including government agencies, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and social service agencies. Currently, 23 schools of social work have an MSW/MPA dual-degree program with 11 schools offering this option online.
MSW and MPH dual-degree programs
Social work and public health: There is a natural synergy between social work and public health work since social workers play such an important role in various public health and healthcare settings. Social workers are familiar with social determinants of health, serving vulnerable populations, and providing preventive services, all of which are important skills for public health work.
Those who earn an MSW/MPH dual-degree can pursue careers in healthcare administration or supervision, public health education, research, or create healthcare programs for vulnerable populations (e.g., new mothers with substance use disorders). The MSW/MPH dual-degree program is offered by 55 schools with 34 schools offering it online.
MSW and JD dual-degree programs
Social work and law: Prospective students interested in forensic social work should consider dual MSW/JD programs. Forensic social work involves working with victims of crime, clients involved in court and legal proceedings and systems (e.g., juvenile justice, family court), children in foster care, families impacted by divorce, among other clients.
With a dual-degree in social work and the law, not only can social workers diagnose and treat clients impacted by trauma and mental illness, but they can also represent them. They may also pursue human rights careers, work for an international NGO, or work for a legal advocacy organization. The dual MSW/JD degree is offered by 58 schools with most, 48, offering it online.
MSW and M.Ed dual-degree programs
Social work and education: Those interested in combining their passion for education and social work might consider an MSW/M.Ed dual-degree program. This dual degree program will prepare students for careers in primary and secondary education settings, educational administration, guidance counseling, or school social work.
A dual-degree is especially suited for future educators who want to work with special education students, serve as special education administrators, or work in schools impacted by poverty that need strong mental health services and violence prevention programs. Degree holders might also design innovative programs for schools such as trauma informed classrooms. At this time only seven social work schools offer the MSW/M.Ed degree with four offering it online.
MSW and theology dual-degree programs
Social work and theology: Future social workers interested in providing counseling services to members of a congregation or who want to provide religious or spiritually informed counseling services privately might consider a dual degree program in social work and divinity, pastoral counseling, or theology. Spiritually and religiously informed therapy is something that some people seek out privately. For example there are Christian social workers who work predominantly with Christian clients and the dual-degree will help them integrate their spiritual and clinical learning.
This dual-degree program also is suitable for those who want to become faith leaders and develop social service programs within houses of worship or who wish to work for religious social service organizations.
This dual-degree also would be suitable for those who wish to provide counseling and spiritual services in hospice centers or hospitals. Four schools offer an MSW/pastoral studies dual-degree with two offering it online, while 27 offer a theology or divinity dual degree with fifteen offering it online.
FAQs about MSW dual-degree programs
The process varies. Research the process at least two years prior to your desired start date. Prospective dual degree programs students may have to complete two separate applications, or in some cases one school’s application process will be secondary and can be incorporated into the lead school’s applications. For example, some dual degree programs are primarily administered by a school of social work while others are more of a collaborative partnership. Still other programs are a joint venture between two different universities. In this case, two applications are probably necessary.
Since students will need to earn more credits for a dual degree, the cost can be very high in the absence of scholarships, traineeships, or other aid. However, it is important to consider that social workers graduating with dual degrees will make more over the course of their careers than social workers with an MSW alone. This is because the second degree will help them gain access to a wider array of opportunities and get hired into leadership positions that pay higher salaries. The cost of a dual degree program is less than obtaining each degree separately. It is also important to consider that applicants with a BSW may enter an MSW program with advanced standing thereby reducing the number of credit hours and field work hours needed to earn the MSW part of their degree.
It can take two to three years attending school full time to earn a dual degree or up to five years part-time. Students in a dual degree program must go through the curriculum of two programs, but some required courses may double as elective credits for the second degree. Coursework for one degree may need to be completed before beginning coursework for the second degree. Depending on the student’s lifestyle and caregiving responsibilities, earning a dual degree may be easier to do part-time and/or online.