MSW/MPH

MSW/MPH Dual Degree Program 

What is public health social work?

Public Health Social Work is a rapidly expanding field of practice. These professionals work directly with individuals to improve their lives and conduct rigorous data analysis to promote the well-being of local and global communities. 

Public health social workers are comprehensively trained to understand and address social issues affecting the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, such as homelessness, substance use, violence, and environmental contamination.  

Employment: The right degree at the right time

Public health social work is projected to be a field of dramatic growth in the next decade. Right now, 50% of all social workers are employed in the health sector. By 2028, this percentage is estimated to be 70%.  

What can I do with this degree? 

MSW/MPH graduates are involved in numerous types of inter-professional leadership and collaborations in hospitals, accountable care organizations, integrated behavioral health, and community settings.  Graduates are well prepared for a variety of engaging jobs including: 

  •  Program Planner designs health prevention and intervention programs for groups, agencies, and/or communities (e.g., educational programs to prevent vaping or policy initiatives to curb obesity).
  •  Disaster Response Leader manages the long-term impact of diseases, such as AIDS/HIV, Ebola, Zika and other problems that need a long-term strategy. 
  •  Hospital Administrator plans and oversees the services provided at a hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic, or drug treatment center.
  •  Patient Service Manager works as a link between patients and staff to optimize patient care and satisfaction.  
  •  Program Director of a Community-Based Agency is responsible for overseeing the successful implementation of health programming.
  •  Policy Analyst evaluates the impact of legislative efforts to improve community, state, and/or national health outcomes.
  •  Health Communications Director strategically manages the internal and external communications for a hospital or other health entity.   
  •  Public and Social Health Researcher gathers information to define the scope and depth of community, national, and international health problems.
  •  Adjunct and part-time faculty in MSW, BSW, and MPH programs teach and mentor the next generation of social workers and public health professionals.  

Benefits of the MSW-MPH dual degree at Stony Brook University: 

Career flexibility: Become eligible for social work licensure (LMSW* and/or LCSW*) in New York State and national certification as a Health Education Specialist (CHES).
*Students that are in the Families, Youth and Transition to Adulthood or the Integrated Health specializations are eligible to take the LCSW exam towards licensure. Students in the Community, Policy, and Political Social Action specialization are eligible for the LMSW exam towards licensure

Cost-efficient: Earn two highly desirable Masters degrees in a shorter period of time.

Inter-professional training in a health setting: Participate in an active learning community alongside students and faculty from a variety of health professions in Stony Brook University’s Health Sciences Center, including Medicine, Nursing and Nutrition.

Skills gained: 

  • Leadership skills 
  • Ability to work in interprofessional teams
  • Clinical and community engagement, assessment and intervention
  • Care coordination
  • Data management and analysis using various software platforms: R, SAS, Stata, and ATLAS.ti
  • Biostatistics and epidemiology
  • Qualitative methods (e.g., running focus groups and conducting in-depth interviews)
  • Community-based participatory research
  • Environmental justice
     

    Special Notes:

    Students in the combined MSW/MPH program pay the graduate MSW tuition rate. For more information visit: https://www.stonybrook.edu/bursar/tuition/

    Students applying to the MSW advanced standing program are not eligible to enroll in the dual MSW-MPH program

MSW MPH Academic Schedule
Sample Program
(All MPH classes and most MSW classes take place at the Stony Brook University campus)
FIRST FALL        FIRST SPRING      
Course Number & Title Credits     Course Number & Title Credits    

HWC 504: HBSE I

3     HWC 505: Integrative Seminar 3    
HWC 509: Foundations of Social Justice 3     HWC 514: SW Practice II 3 3    
HWC 513: Social Work Practice I 3     HWC 501: Field Education II 4    
HWC 500: Field Education I 4     HPH 562: Data Management and Informatics 3    
HPH 501: Introduction to the Research Process 3     HPH: 555 Demography and Global Health 3    
               
Term Total credit  16     Term Total credit 16    
FIRST SUMMER SECOND FALL      
Course Number & Title Credits     Course Number & Title Credits    
HWC 510: Social Policy and Social Determinants 3     HWC 564: Integrated Health: Advanced Practice I 3    
HWC: 519 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology 3     HWC 574: Clinical Skills: Motivational Interviewing & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 3    
        HWC 502: Field Education III 4    
        HPH 500: Contemporary Issues inPublic Health 3    
        HPH 506: Biostatistics I 3    
               
Term credit total: 6     Term credit total: 16    
SECOND SPRING  SECOND SUMMER       
Course Number & Title Credits     Course Number & Title Credits    
HWC 565:Integrated Health: Advanced Practice II 3     HPH 516: Environmental and Occupational Health 3    
HWC 503: Field Education IV 4            
HPH 514: Epidemiology for Public Health 3            
HPH 507: Biostatistics II 3            
               
Term credit total: 13   Term credit total: 3  
         
THIRD FALL  THIRD SPRING
Course Number & Title Credits     Course Number & Title Credits    
HPH 508: Health Systems Performance 3     HPH 551: Introduction to Health Communications 3    
HPH 552: Planning & Implementing Community Health Initiatives 3     HPH 553: Advanced Evaluation of Community Health Initiatives 3    
HPH 525: Evaluating Public Health Initiatives 3     HPH 581: Capstone 3    
HPH 564: Qualitative Methods 3            
               
Term credit total: 12     Term credit total:

9

   
               
               

Admissions:

Students who wish to be considered for admission into the combined MSW/MPH program must comply with all admission requirements for each degree, (MPH and SSW) including completion of 2 separate applications. Please note: When completing the MPH application, select the MSW/MPH option to be considered for the dual degree.

NOTE: Students applying to the MSW advanced standing program are not eligible to enroll in the dual MSW-MPH program.

If you have questions about admission or would like more information about the program, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Amy Hammock via e-mail at: Amy.Hammock@stonybrook.edu