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The School of Social Work currently offers dual degree programs with a number of other USC professional schools. In addition, the school maintains a dual degree program at Hebrew Union College located adjacent to the USC campus.
The goal of these programs is to encourage graduate students to gain a recognized competence in another discipline which has direct relevance to the roles filled by social workers in society. Dual degree programs are based on the premise that some topics covered in the school are also addressed in the curricula of other departments, so that some credit toward an M.S.W. degree may be given for specific courses in the cooperating department. Similarly, these departments have recognized that some credit toward their corresponding degree may be awarded for work completed in the School of Social Work. For this reason, students enrolled in dual degree programs can obtain both degrees with a reduced number of total units.
Students wishing to enroll in dual degree programs must apply for and be admitted to both schools.
USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
The M.S./M.S.W. dual degree offers the student interested in direct service or community organization the credentials most valued in clinical and therapeutic practice. Students enrolled in this dual degree receive an M.S.W. as well as an M.S. in Gerontology. This dual degree requires completion of 72 units: 32 units of work in the Davis School of Gerontology and 40 units in the School of Social Work. The course work is usually completed over a 24-month period for full-time students. Dual degree students in this program complete the standard foundation year courses in the School of Social Work, with the exception of SOWK 535 Social Welfare. Students may select any concentration, with the exception of Families and Children. In the concentration year, students must complete the three required core concentration courses as well as SOWK 611 Leadership in the Social Work Profession and Organizations: Theory and Practice. See the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology for course requirements.
USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Master of Social Work/Master of Planning
The dual degree program between social work and planning offers unique opportunities for students who want to devote their professional careers to social policy, social planning or social services delivery. Dual degree students in this program receive an M.S.W. as well as a Master of Planning (M.Pl.). The M.Pl./M.S.W. degree requires completion of a total of 83 units: 51 units in social work and 32 units in planning. The course work is normally completed over a period of 28 months for full-time students. Dual degree students in this program complete the standard foundation year courses in the School of Social Work, with the exception of SOWK 535 Social Welfare. Students must select the Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA) concentration. In the concentration year, students must complete the following SOWK courses: SOWK 599, SOWK 611, SOWK 629, SOWK 648, SOWK 686ab, as well as one of the following courses: SOWK 603, SOWK 636 or SOWK 672. Students must apply to both programs prior to matriculation. See the School of Policy, Planning, and Development for course requirements.
Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration/Master of Social Work (M.P.A./M.S.W.) dual degree program provides those students interested in careers as administrators of social service agencies the opportunity to combine preparation in the substantive field of social work with the acquisition of the administrative capabilities necessary in the public sector. Students must complete 82 units: 54 units in social work and 28 units in public administration. Dual degree students in this program complete the standard foundation year courses in the School of Social Work. Students must select the Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA) concentration. In the concentration year, students must complete the following SOWK courses: SOWK 599, SOWK 611, SOWK 629, SOWK 639, SOWK 648 and SOWK 686ab. Most students complete both program requirements over a 24-month period for full-time students. See the School of Policy, Planning, and Development for course requirements.
USC Gould School of Law
The Juris Doctor and Master of Social Work (J.D./M.S.W.) dual degree program with the USC Gould School of Law is a four-year program in which students complete a total of 123 units. This includes 47 units in social work and 76 units in law.To earn the J.D., all students (including dual degree students) must complete 35 numerically graded law units at USC after the first year. The associate dean may make exceptions to this rule for students enrolled in law school honors programs. Students must apply to both programs prior to matriculation. The program of study is as follows:
First and Second Years: Complete both the first year J.D. program of study and the first year M.S.W. course of study.
Third Year: Complete the second year J.D. program.
Fourth Year: Complete the core required concentration courses and one semester of field instruction and the final semester of the J.D. program in the spring.
The law school gives credit for the third semester in the School of Social Work, while the latter recognizes law courses as substitutions for a one-semester practice course, special topics courses, a third semester of social policy and one semester of field instruction (for which a clinical law semester is substituted).
Jewish Communal Service, Hebrew Union College
The dual degree program combines in-class learning and fieldwork under the auspices of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the University of Southern California's School of Social Work. Students in this dual degree program simultaneously pursue graduate studies leading to the M.S.W. and an M.A. in Jewish Communal Service over a 24-month period for full-time students. A total of 90 units must be completed to meet the requirements of both degrees (41 units in social work and 49 units at the HUC-JIR School of Jewish Communal Service). Dual degree students in this program complete the standard foundation year course in the School of Social Work, with the exception of the foundation field instruction. Students may select any concentration of interest. During their concentration year, student must enroll in the following: three core required concentration courses, SOWK 686ab Field Practicum and two SOWK 599 Special Topics courses (to be approved for the concentration). Students must apply to both programs prior to matriculation.
USC Marshall School of Business
The M.S.W./M.B.A. dual degree develops knowledge and skills in working with individuals, families and groups, as well as organizational dynamics, marketing, decision sciences, accounting and human relations. Students interested in working in the management of human services and not-for-profit organizations will develop knowledge of human resources, philanthropic and corporate social responsibility, organizational development and information management.Prospective students must apply to both the School of Social Work and the Marshall School of Business.
The M.S.W./M.B.A. requires completion of a total of 96 units: 48 in the Marshall School of Business and 48 in the School of Social Work. This dual degree program is typically completed in a three-year period, including summer, for full-time students.
Dual degree students in this program complete the standard foundation year courses in the School of Social Work. Students must select the work and life concentration. During their concentration year, students must enroll in the following: three core required concentration courses and SOWK 686ab Field Practicum. Course requirements in the Marshall School of Business include all courses required for the M.B.A. core program and graduate business electives sufficient to bring the total units completed in the Marshall School of Business to at least 48. Dual degree students may not count courses taken outside the Marshall School of Business toward the 48 units.
The M.B.A. and the M.S.W. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all program requirements.