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The College of Social Work and the Master of Public Administration program in the Department of Political Science, participate in a dual degree program that allows individuals to complete both the Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration degrees in less time than if the degrees are completed separately.  Students apply to the dual degree program option through the USC Graduate School. Application reviews, including required supplemental application materials required by the programs, and admission recommendations are made independently by the College of Social Work and by the Department of Political Science.  Official notification of the admission decisions comes from the Graduate School.  Students enrolled in both Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration courses in any term may be subject to fees for both programs.  

Students enrolled in either the social work or public administration program beyond their first year of graduate study cannot apply for the dual degree program. Part-time social work or public administration students may enroll in the dual degree program. Advanced-standing social work students enrolled beyond the summer bridge term cannot apply for the dual degree program.

Degree Requirements M.P.A. (39 Hours) / M.S.W. (60 Hours)

Students may complete the dual degree program by starting in either the Master of Social Work program or the Master of Public Administration program. Each program offers a typical sequence of courses; through academic advisement with a dual degree coordinator in each program, students select specific courses to satisfy the requirements for each degree. All curriculum and hour requirements must be satisfied in order to graduate from the dual degree program. Students in the dual degree program must complete the program within six academic years. See the Social Work, MSW   and the Public Administration, M.P.A.  bulletin entries or student handbook for additional information.

Two (2) SOWK elective courses can be satisfied by successfully completing POLI 770  and POLI 774  (6 credit hours total). SOWK 732  and SOWK 784  (6 credit hours total) may satisfy the MPA requirements.  SOWK 784 requires coordination and contract with a MPA advisor to meet the terms of the internship.  Thus the 60-credit hour MSW degree and 39-credit hour MPA degree can both be completed with a total of 87 credit hours.

The table below reflects the plan of study for a full-time student who begins the dual degree program in social work. Note that some of the courses beyond the first year of MPA and SOWK studies may be adjusted due to program or accreditation changes.