Dual MPH and Social Work MSW

The University of South Florida offers a dual-degree program with a clinical social work concentration combined with a public health concentration in either Maternal & Child Health OR Behavioral Health. The MSW and the MPH programs were developed as mandated by the Florida legislature to respond to the public health and social welfare needs of the state. The dual-degree program was initiated in 1986 and produced its first graduate in 1988.

Social Work is an essential component of both maternal and child health as well as behavioral health. The combination of degrees in public health and social work ideally equips graduate students to prepare for careers in both social work and public health settings with the ability to fill clinical, administrative, and evaluative roles, which positively affect the lives of women, children, and various populations-at-risk in a changing society.

For social work students seeking the dual-degree, expanded study in public health encourages a well-balanced macro-micro orientation to clinical practice. Such expansion can equip the social work student with specific skills that result in comprehensive and effective client interventions in health care settings. The fundamental methodological tools of public health, such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and health management and evaluation, further assist the social worker in targeting the needs of individuals and communities. The MPH/MSW dual-degree program is a two-and-a-half to three year, full-time course of study.

The MPH with a Maternal and Child Health (PMC) Concentration prepares health professionals and individuals in related fields for leadership roles in community based organizations that focus on major public health problems of women, children and families, especially among culturally diverse and under served populations. Using multidisciplinary approaches, students develop analytical, advocacy, programmatic and evaluative skills to address health disparities, and to emphasize health promotion and disease prevention among populations in need. Areas of programmatic focus include child health, women's health, childhood injury, family and community violence, children with special needs, and others. (Contact is Martha Coulter, MSW, DrPH, email mcoulter@health.usf.edu). Find the Maternal and Child Health concentration at Maternal and Child Health MPH.

The MPH with a Behavioral Health (BHH) Concentration is concerned with the study of mental disorders and substance disorders in community populations. The focus areas include children's mental health services, community-based prevention, evaluation and accountability, evidence-based practice in behavioral health, homelessness, multicultural issues in mental health, and epidemiologic issues in mental disorders, including co-occurring disorders. (Contact is Bruce Levin, MPH, DrPH, email blevin@health.usf.edu). Find the Behavioral Health concentration at Behavioral Health MPH.

Program of Study

You should complete your program of study electronically using Archivum at https://usf.appiancloud.com/.

Information on how to use Archivum is available on the Archivum Student Resources page. You may use the program of study links below as a reference.  Note: You may choose a program of study that corresponds to the academic year of your admission or any year thereafter.  Please see the guidelines below.

Competencies

Contact Information

Please contact the following faculty for more information on the dual degree program:

Please send feedback on the MPH Guidebook.