Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)

****We are not accepting MSW/MPH applications for this program for Fall 2025***

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 Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).  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).

HMP Additional Information

Social Work Administration/Community Development (“Macro”) Additional Information*

*Please note the course roadmap is unique for the MSW-MPH 3-year program; students do not have electives.

Contacts

Public Health:

Dual Advisor:
Tracy Finlayson
[email protected]

HMP Division head:
JD Baek
[email protected]

Admissions & Student Affairs Coordinator: 
Brenda Fass-Holmes
[email protected] 

Internship Coordinator:
Leticia Cazares
[email protected]

Social Work:

Dual Advisor:
Lianne Urada
[email protected]

Social Work Director:
Jong Won Min
[email protected] 

Associate Director:
Dahlia Fuentes
[email protected]

Field Education Director:
Amanda Lee
[email protected]

Information Sessions

Information sessions are held several times per semester for potential MSW and MSW-dual degree applicants.

Please check the main MSW Information Sessions page for the updated flyer/dates.

Application Instructions

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.

Admission Inquiries

SPH admission specialists: Brenda-Fass Holmes ([email protected])

SSW admission specialists: Shelly Paule, MSW, LCSW ([email protected])

Curriculum

See also…

The 93-unit program is listed below and is typically completed in three years by full-time students:

  • Public Health Core Classes (12 units)
    • PH 601 Epidemiology (3)
    • PH 602 Biostatistics (3)
    • PH 603 Behavioral and Social Science in Public Health (3)
    • PH 604 Environmental Determinants of Human Health (3)
  • Health Management and Policy Concentration Courses (33 units)
    • PH 641 Introduction to Health Services(3)
    • PH 642 Health Insurance and Financing Systems (3)
    • PH 644A Health Services Organization and Management (3)
    • PH 644B Managing the High Performing Health Care Organization (3)
    • PH 645 Health Economics (3)
    • PH 647 Quantitative Methods and Health Data Analysis (3)
    • PH 648 Health Policy (3)
    • PH 742A Health Services Financial Management (3)
    • PH 747 Quality Improvement and Program Evaluation (3)
    • PH 748 Health Services Competitive Strategy and Marketing (3)
    • PH 797 Research (3)
  • Social Work Courses (30 units)
    • SW 601 Seminar in Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)
    • SW 619 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3)
    • SW 620A Seminar in Human Behavior and Social Environment (3)
    • SW 690 Seminar in Social Work Research Methods (3)
    • SW 630 Social Work Practice: A Generalist Perspective (3)
    • SW 631 Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
    • SW 632 Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities (3)
    • SW 720  Civic Engagement & the Social Environment (3)
    • SW 740 Advanced Seminar in Social Work Administration (3)
    • SW 797 Research (3)
  • Field Practicum (15 units)
    • SW 650 Field Practicum (7) Cr/NC
    • SW 755 Advanced Field Practicum (8) Cr/NC
  • Integrative Learning Experience (3 units)
    • SW or PH 799A Thesis

See the SDSU Graduate Bulletin for descriptions and prerequisites for these courses.

Field Practice

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 Kellie Scott, [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:

Important Dates

Fall (1st year)

Public Health Orientation: August

Social Work Orientation: August

Social Work Internship Information Session: January (1st years) and August (2nd years) (see Field Calendar )

Spring (1st year)

Social Work Internship Fair (see Field Calendar)

Fall (2nd year)

POS: Submit in the 3rd semester

Spring (2nd year)

Social Work Qualifying Exam

Advancement to Candidacy (If all requirements are met)

Fall (3rd year)

Submit an Appointment of Thesis/Project Committee Form (to Graduate Affairs)

File Thesis proposal

Apply to Graduate

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.

Resources

MSW Student Handbook

Handbooks, Office of Graduate Affairs

Master’s Degree Procedural Steps, Office of Graduate Affairs

Contact Us

SDSU Social Work

Hepner Hall room 119
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4119
619-594-6865
[email protected]

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