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 curriculum 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. Because of this, 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.

School of Public Administration

Students interested in careers as administrators of social service agencies find, through this dual degree program, 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 in this program must select the community organization, planning and administration concentration in their second year of graduate work. Most students complete both program requirements over a 24-month period. Students must take 50 units in social work and 28 units in public administration. See the School of Public Administration for course requirements.

School of Gerontology

Students enrolled in this dual degree program complete 32 units of work in the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and 42 units in the School of Social Work. The course work is usually completed over a 24-month period, with students selecting any of the second-year concentrations except family and children's services. See the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology for course requirements.

School of Urban Planning and Development

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 79 units and is normally completed over a period of 28 months. Students in this dual degree program must select the community organization, planning and administration concentration in the second year of their social work program. See the School of Urban Planning and Development for course requirements.

The Law School

The dual degree program with the Law School is a four-year program in which students complete a total of 117 units. This includes 43 units in social work and 74 units in law.

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 regular third semester of the M.S.W. program in the fall 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, a special topics course, 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

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. A total of 90 units must be completed to meet the requirements of both degrees.

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