Best Dual Degrees With Social Work 2025

<p>Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees are usually two-year degrees that prepare students to become licensed clinical social workers. Some students add a dual degree to broaden their career opportunities or hone specific skills, which awards them two separate degrees upon graduation. </p> <p>Several dual degrees pair well with a master's in social work. Keep reading to discover some of the best dual degrees for Master of Social Work programs. </p> <h2 id="section---TopDualDegreeProgramsWithSocialWorkFor2024">Top Dual Degree Programs With Social Work for 2024</h2> <p>Many degrees can complement a Master of Social Work degree. We've featured some of these options below. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfBusinessAdministration">MSW/Master of Business Administration</h3> <p>Dual MSW and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs are geared toward students who want to pursue roles that combine delivering quality social services with the knowledge and skills of administrative leadership. </p> <p>Some top universities that offer dual MSW/MBA programs include: </p> <ul><li>Augsburg University </li><li>Howard University </li><li>University of Michigan </li><li>University of Pittsburgh </li><li>University of Southern California </li></ul><p>These programs often take two and a half to three years to complete. You'll earn your dual degree primarily through the School of Social Work. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfDivinity">MSW/Master of Divinity</h3> <p>Master's degrees in divinity, which are awarded as a Master of Divinity (MDiv), are professional degrees for those who want to be pastors, ministers, or other religious leaders. A dual MSW/MDiv degree is for those planning to go into faith-based ministry. </p> <p>Universities that offer dual MSW/MDiv graduate programs include: </p> <ul><li>Duke University </li><li>Howard University </li><li>Rutgers University </li><li>University of Denver </li><li>University of Pittsburgh </li></ul><p>These dual degree options usually take three to four years of full-time study. They may be offered by the university's School of Social Work or by the divinity graduate school. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWJurisDoctor">MSW/Juris Doctor</h3> <p>Juris Doctor (JD) degrees are law degrees that students earn after completing law school. An MSW/JD dual degree is for students who want to focus their law practice on social justice fields like immigration, civil rights, family, and criminal law. </p> <p>A few universities offer JD/MSW programs for dual degree students, such as: </p> <ul><li>Loyola University Chicago </li><li>New York University </li><li>Tulane University </li><li>University of Denver </li><li>University of Michigan </li></ul><p>A JD/MSW dual degree program usually takes four to five years of full-time study to complete. These are often offered as joint programs between the university's law school and the School of Social Work. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfPublicHealth">MSW/Master of Public Health</h3> <p>Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees give students the competencies to work in community healthcare. An MSW/MPH dual degree is for social workers who want to work in healthcare or become advocates for community health public policy. </p> <p>MSW students will likely find there is much overlap between public health and social work coursework, especially as it relates to human services. Some universities that offer this type of dual graduate degree include: </p> <ul><li>Portland State University </li><li>University of Memphis </li><li>University of Missouri </li><li>University of Nebraska Omaha </li><li>University of Pittsburgh </li></ul><p>MPH/MSW degrees typically take three to four years of full-time study. They often include core coursework for both majors as well as electives. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfPublicAdministration">MSW/Master of Public Administration</h3> <p>Master of Public Administration degrees train graduate students to work in leadership positions for government agencies. A dual public administration/social work program prepares students for leadership roles within human services. </p> <p>Institutes that offer MSW/MPH dual degree programs include: </p> <ul><li>Binghampton University </li><li>New York University </li><li>University of Nebraska Omaha </li><li>University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill </li><li>University of Southern California </li></ul><p>These programs often focus on public policy, social welfare practice, and administration for public and nonprofit entities. Many MSW/MPH programs can be completed in two years of full-time study. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfEducation">MSW/Master of Education</h3> <p>Master of Education (MEd) degrees are for those who want to work in education, not as a teacher but in some aspect of administration. Joining a master's in education with an MSW is ideal for those planning to focus their social work practice in an educational environment. </p> <p>Completing an MSW/MEd program can prepare you for careers like: </p> <ul><li>school counselor </li><li>school social worker </li><li>education policy advocate </li><li>school administrator </li></ul><p>These programs usually take about three years to complete. Some programs are available online. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfScienceClinicalPsychology">MSW/Master of Science Clinical Psychology</h3> <p>Students wanting to become licensed clinical social workers usually pursue an MSW degree. Licensure usually requires 150 credits in an accredited social work program, which is why an MSW is a common option. </p> <p>A dual degree with a Master of Science in clinical psychology can prepare MSW students to work in clinical practice with clients who have mental health or substance abuse disorders. They may work in private practice, nonprofit organizations, or healthcare facilities. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfInternationalStudies">MSW/Master of International Studies</h3> <p>International studies majors may pursue a number of career paths for different jobs in international studies. Those who combine this major with social work may look to work across borders or with immigrant communities. </p> <p>Andrews University offers an MSW/Master of Science in community and international development dual degree. The University of Denver offers an MSW/Master of Arts in international human rights and an MSW/Master of Arts in international studies. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfArtsInWomenSStudies">MSW/Master of Arts in Women's Studies</h3> <p>A dual degree in social work and women's studies is a good choice for those who want to specialize in helping women. It can lead to roles focused on family and child welfare and domestic violence. </p> <p>A handful of universities offer dual MSW/women's studies degrees, such as: </p> <ul><li>DePaul University </li><li>Loyola University Chicago </li><li>Southern Connecticut State University </li></ul><p>These programs are strongly focused on gender and social justice. They usually take about three years of full-time study to complete. </p> <h3 id="section---MSWMasterOfScienceInCriminology">MSW/Master of Science in Criminology</h3> <p>Criminology is a field that examines why criminals commit crimes. An MSW/Master of Science in criminology dual degree can pave the way for careers in criminal justice, victim advocacy, and corrections. </p> <p>Some universities offer master's in social work degrees that can be paired with a master's in criminology or criminal justice degree, including Saint Louis University and the University of Nebraska Omaha. Both offer advanced standing options to those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, which allows those students to take fewer credits. </p> <h2 id="section---BenefitsOfASocialWorkDualDegreeProgram">Benefits of a Social Work Dual Degree Program</h2> <p>There are some benefits to completing a degree program in social work. We've broken them down below. </p> <h3 id="section---IncreasedCareerOpportunities">Increased Career Opportunities</h3> <p>Many students pursuing MSW degrees go on to become <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Social_Worker_Career_Summary_Employment_Outlook_and_Education_Requirements.html">social workers</a>. Adding a dual degree allows students to expand their career options. </p> <p>The JD/MSW option allows students who pass the bar exam to work as lawyers focused on social justice; on the other hand, the MSW/MPH dual degree creates a path to becoming community health educators for nonprofit organizations focused on offering healthcare to underserved communities. </p> <h3 id="section---InterdisciplinaryApproach">Interdisciplinary Approach</h3> <p>Another benefit of a social work dual degree program is that you'll gain an interdisciplinary approach to social work. This allows you to serve your clients more effectively. </p> <p>For example, a dual degree in social work and women's studies gives you a unique perspective when helping female clients. Meanwhile, a dual degree in social work and psychology can give you the tools to help clients with mental health problems. </p> <h3 id="section---IncreasedLeadershipAndAdvocacySkills">Increased Leadership and Advocacy Skills</h3> <p>Many social work dual degree programs help you develop leadership and advocacy skills. These are often key to a successful social work career. </p> <p>Business administration and public administration are both great options for developing leadership skills. Likewise, international studies, women's studies, and criminology will all help you build your advocacy skills.</p>