Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration
This program is offered in the AU Online format.
Program Description
The Dual Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration (MSW/MPA) program is designed to enable graduate students to expand the scope of their studies and simultaneously pursue the MSW and MPA degrees. Government, public sector, nonprofit, and social service agencies are in need of social work professionals who also have the skills, knowledge and ability to expertly lead. To meet such a need, the School of Social Work and MPA program have teamed to provide MSW students who are earning the Leadership Administration track an opportunity to simultaneously earn their MPA degree.
Students in the program will receive substantial public administration education that compliments their social work education and will prepare them for administrative leadership roles in social service. The program also maintains the integrity of both the MSW and MPA degrees and makes the dual degree attainable at 54 semester hours (with advanced social work standing) or 84 hours (without advanced social work standing). Students must meet the requirements of the MSW program for admission, will be jointly advised by the Social Work and MPA programs, and will be billed a hybrid tuition rate.
The foundation of the MSW/MPA dual degree program is the MSW curriculum. Students who complete the MSW Leadership Administration track* (which is composed of three MBA and MPA courses totaling nine semester hours) may apply those hours to their MPA studies as well. Students must successfully complete all MSW and MBA/MPA courses in order to graduate with both degrees.
Program Requirements - Master of Social Work
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist Curriculum | ||
| Social Welfare | ||
| SWK-6140 | Social Welfare Policy and Institutions | 3 |
| Human Behavior and Social Environment | ||
| SWK-6180 | HBSE I: Building Professional Social Work Competence | 3 |
| SWK-6185 | HBSE II: Theories of Human Development II: Life Course Development | 3 |
| Social Work Practice Theory and Methods | ||
| SWK-6370 | Social Work Practice With Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SWK-6381 | Social Work Practice With Groups | 3 |
| SWK-6382 | Social Work Practice With Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| Research | ||
| SWK-6250 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| Generalist Field Instruction | ||
| SWK-6730 | Field Instruction I: Generalist Internship | 3 |
| SWK-6740 | Field Instruction II: Generalist Internship | 3 |
| Specialization Curriculum | ||
| Social Work Practice and Policy | ||
| SWK-6500 | Social Work Perspectives on Psychopathology | 3 |
| SWK-6511 | Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWK-6521 | Advanced Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SWK-6533 | Advanced Social Policy | 3 |
| SWK-6575 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Advanced Field Instruction | ||
| SWK-6750 | Field Instruction III | 3 |
| SWK-6760 | Field Instruction IV | 3 |
| Social Work Elective | ||
| Select 3 semester hours of SWK coursework: | 3 | |
| Leadership Administration Track Courses 1 | ||
| MBA-6030 | Leadership and Organizational Behavior 2 | 3 |
| MBA-6200 | Human Resource Management 2 | 3 |
| MPA-6350 | Nonprofit Management and Leadership 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Must obtain a "B" or higher in all track courses
- 2
Students who complete the MSW Leadership Administration track (which is composed of MBA-6030 Leadership and Organizational Behavior, MBA-6200 Human Resource Management, MPA-6350 Nonprofit Management and Leadership) totaling nine semester hours) may apply those hours to their MBA studies as well.
Program Requirements - Master of Public Administration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MBA-6030 | Leadership and Organizational Behavior 1 | 3 |
| MBA-6130 | Economics | 3 |
| MPA-6110 | Administration of Public Institutions | 3 |
| MBA-6200 | Human Resource Management 1 | 3 |
| MPA-6120 | Public Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| MPA-6130 | Government and Community Relations | 3 |
| MPA-6140 | Public Finance and Budgeting | 3 |
| MPA-6170 | Applied Research, Insights, and Evaluation | 3 |
| MPA-6200 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Administration | 3 |
| MPA-6350 | Nonprofit Management and Leadership 1 | 3 |
| MPA-6360 | Grant Writing, Philanthropy, and Advancement | 3 |
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Learning Outcomes
Master of Social Work
Students will:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Master of Public Administration
- Students will experience professional development and demonstrate personal progress in professional comportment. Students have identified professional development as an area they are weak in and are interested in learning more.
- Students will gain professional experience working on real-world problems in order to build skills and competency for working in the public sphere. Students want coursework that is grounded in reality or practical public sector problems.
- Students will demonstrate master’s-level competency in critical thinking and data analysis by learning to evaluate programs, use statistical software, and solve problems. Students have sought out additional methodological training as it pertains to career opportunities.