Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)
Overview
The SDSU School of Social Work and SDSU School of Public Health offer a three-year, 93 unit concurrent graduate program leading to a MPH in Health Management and Policy (HMP) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a Concentration in Administration and Community Development.
The major objective of the concurrent program is to offer preparation in the fields of public health and social work for the purpose of providing the knowledge and skills necessary to promote health, prevent disease, and enhance the delivery of social and health services in the community.
The HMP Division is a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Educatio (CAHME) candidate program. The Program is also affiliated with the Health Education Network of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and has an active student chapter of the ACHE through the San Diego Organization of Healthcare Leaders (SOHL).
The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education. The Social Work Administration and Community Development Concentration prepares students for two specialized areas of “macro” practice: Administration (strategic management, social entrepreneurialism, program design, information systems, program evaluation, financial management, leadership and supervision), and Community Development (program development, grant writing, civic engagement strategies, and carrying out sustainable community-driven changes).
"These past 3 years were the hardest, yet the most rewarding and powerful years of growth in my entire life."
"Intern at a school district and/or school site--you will gain first-hand exposure and understanding of how public health and social work are in action and can truly grasp the barriers and gaps we face daily in our educational settings."
"I have succeeded as far as I have in the MSW/MPH program because of the incredible, supportive, and amazing professors, lecturers, administrators, and staff I've had alongside me."
"Get ready to work--but I swear, it's all worth it in the end."
"This MSW/MPH program gave me the education, tools, and experiences to enter the health and human services field with confidence that I can contribute positive change to what feels like an impenetrable system."
Amanda Berry, MSW, MPH
Alumni Highlights
"Since graduating from the SDSU MSW/MPH program, I’ve built a career centered on health policy, systems change, and advancing integrated care. After graduating from the program, I pivoted from program management to policy. I served as a Policy Advisor for a San Diego County Supervisor, working on health and human services and public safety policy, before joining Health Center Partners of Southern California (HCP). At HCP, I supported civic engagement and workforce policy on behalf of a consortium of community health centers serving more than 800,000 patients across the region. In 2025, I was promoted to Director of Managed Care Advocacy, where I now focus on the impacts of Medi-Cal managed care and support value-based care initiatives for Medi-Cal populations.
The interdisciplinary training I received through SDSU’s social work and public health programs was foundational to my success. The curriculum prepared me to think critically about complex health systems while grounding my work in equity, data, and real-world impact. Just as importantly, the program’s faculty, peers, and alumni network provided mentorship and support that helped me confidently navigate the job market and grow into leadership roles. My internships with a hospital and a federally qualified health center gave me invaluable, hands-on exposure to health care delivery systems and reinforced the importance of approaching policy through a whole-person care lens.
SDSU’s MSW/MPH program didn’t just prepare me for a job; it prepared me to lead, collaborate, and drive meaningful change across the health care and policy landscape.
The dual MSW/MPH program at SDSU gave me a strong foundation in health equity and the intersectionality that shapes access to services. That foundation has supported my career achievements, including presenting at national conferences and leading local innovative initiatives that advance evidence-based practices."
Applicants for the MSW/MPH program must submit the SOPHAS. Applications for the concurrent program are reviewed by both the SDSU School of Public Health and the SDSU School of Social Work.
Applicants for the MSW/MPH Dual Degree program must meet the same requirements as those for the standard MPH and MSW programs.
In the statement of purpose submitted with the SOPHAS application, MSW/MPH applicants must address their interest in both fields (Public Health and Social Work) as well as their interest in Health Management and Policy.
We are accepting applications for Fall admission only.
School of Social Work internships occur during the academic year in the 2nd and 3rd years. Please see the Field Education website for more details about the Field Calendar, Orientations, and field placement process:
School of Public Health internships for dual students are not required. However, students sometimes choose to complete a volunteer summer experience as long as it does not interfere with the required social work internship hours.
Program of Study (POS)
Students seeking the MSW/MPH dual degree are required to have an approved Program of Study filed with the Office of Graduate Affairs:
Students will file a formal Official Program of Study (list all the classes that will be taken to fulfill degree requirements) after completing at least 12 units of study, and before completing the last 9 units. The Official Program of Study must be approved by the SPH Graduate Advisor (Dr. Penelope “Jenny” Quintana). The POS is filed by either by Brenda Fass-Holmes, [email protected] (Admissions and Student Affairs Coordinator) in the MPH program, or by Shelly Paule, [email protected] (Admissions Director and Graduate Advisor) in the MSW program. For the MSW program, students file after completing the qualifying exam and advance to candidacy.
Integrative Learning Experiences
PH797/SW797: Starting the second year Spring semester, students are required to take the 797 courses starting either in the HMP Division or SSW (Check with a faculty dual program advisor- Dr. JD Baek or Dr. Lianne Urada for enrollment details).
Thesis: All dual students will be required to complete a thesis:
You must declare your intention to graduate by filing an Application for Graduation with an Advanced Degree. The application is due 3-6 months before the official diploma date and must be done through your WebPortal account.
Spring (3rd year)
Complete and Defend your Thesis
Time Limitation
The school expects a student to complete the degree within seven years. Failure to complete the degree requirements within seven years will result in dismissal from the program.
