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Dual Degree Programs

Several collaborative degree programs are available that enrich the options and opportunities available to our students. Dual degree programs allow students to earn two degrees in less time than it would take to complete them sequentially. Students interested in this option must be admitted separately to each of the programs and admission to one has no official bearing on admission to the other. Since admission to two programs is required, interested persons are encouraged to begin their application process early. In addition, it is recommended that students plan to complete the dual degree options as a full-time student.

Options for dual degrees include:

MSW/MPP

MSW/PhD

MSW/MBA

MSW/MPH

MSW/JD

MSW/MPP

University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work and the Hobby Center for Public Policy offer a concurrent degree program that prepares students for professional practice in social welfare policy arenas. This concurrent degree program enables students to pair the quantitative and ethics-oriented approach to policy analysis offered by the MPP program with the substantive policy and practical training in health and human service-related domains offered by the MSW program.

Students must apply and be admitted separately by each program. All students must apply to the second program no later than the end of their first year in the first program. It will take approximately three years of full-time study to complete the coursework for both degrees.

Both programs require an internship component. The internship requirement for both programs can be met through completion of the required field practicum hours through the GCSW. Students pursuing this concurrent degree are eligible to apply to participate in the Graduate College of Social Work’s Austin Legislative Internship Program.

MSW/PhD

Applicants without a master’s degree in social work, or with a master’s degree in another field, may pursue a program of study that leads to both the MSW and the PhD degrees. Students are prepared to teach, participate in research, and hold high level positions in administration upon graduation from the dual program. Applicants must submit separate applications and fees to both programs.

Upon acceptance into this full-time program, it will take approximately 3 1⁄2 years to complete the dual MSW/PhD coursework with up to an additional two (2) years allotted for completion of the doctoral dissertation. The GRE is not required for either program. It is preferred that MSW/PhD dual degree students spend their first year focused on MSW coursework. The second year combines courses from both programs, with the remaining 2+ years exclusively in PhD coursework.

Sample degree plan can be found here.

MSW/MBA

University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work and the C.T. Bauer College of Business offer a concurrent degree program that enables students to prepare for a career in which knowledge and skills in both social work and business administration are critical. Examples include nonprofit management, organizational development, and employee assistance programs.

Upon acceptance, enrollment in both the MSW program at the Graduate College of Social Work and the MBA program at the C.T. Bauer College of Business should occur within a period of one calendar year. The GRE is not required for the MSW program, but the MBA requires either GRE or GMAT test scores be submitted. It will take approximately three years of full-time study to complete the coursework for both degrees. It is preferred that the student spend their first year focused on MSW coursework, with the last two years being spent in both programs.

MSW/MPH

The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and the University of Texas School of Public Health offer a concurrent degree program that enables students to prepare for careers in which knowledge and skills in both social work and public health are critical. Examples include policy analysis, hospital administration and research.

Upon acceptance, enrollment in both the MSW program at the Graduate College of Social Work and the MPH program at the UT School of Public Health should occur within a period of one calendar year. The GRE is not required for the MSW program and is optional for the MPH. It will take approximately three years of full-time study to complete the coursework for both degrees.

MSW/JD

The Graduate College of Social Work and the Law Center at the University of Houston offer a concurrent degree program that prepares students for professional practice in arenas where law and social work intersect and complement each other. Examples include public services, health and mental health care systems, services to children and families, and the political arena. This program enables students to finish both degrees in a shorter time than if they were pursued separately.

Applicants must be admitted separately to each of the degree programs and admission to one has no official bearing on admission to the other. The GRE is not required for the MSW program, but LSAT or GRE scores are required for the JD program.