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-6150 | HBSE I: Theories of Human Development I | 3 |
| SWK-6160 | HBSE II: Theories of Human Development II | 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
- When a student's academic performance does not meet minimum standards, the instructor should send an academic alert to the student.
- A student is placed on academic warning at the end of any semester when their cumulative or semester program/major GPA is less than 3.0.
- A student, placed on academic warning for a second time (not necessarily consecutive semesters) will be academically dismissed, for poor scholarship.
- A student, will be academically dismissed if their Term GPA is 0.00 in any given semester.
- A graduate student, who is dimissed from Aurora University for poor scholarship may apply for readmission after one full semester away (Spring, Summer, or Fall).
- To be considered for readmission, a new application for admission and a petition for readmission are both required to be filed no less than 30 days prior to the requested semester of return, with the Office of Admissions.
- The petition will be reviewed by an academic program committee, comprised of the academic program director/chair and two faculty designated by the Jurisdictional Academic Dean, to make a determination based on the academic standards of the program. The academic program committee may require an in person meeting with the student as deemed necessary.
- Should readmission be granted, the student will be readmitted on Academic Warning. Should the cumulative program GPA fall below 3.0 in a subsequent semester, the student will be dismissed from the university.
- A student who had already had their petition for readmission denied by the academic program may appeal the decision to the Jurisdictional Academic Dean over the program. The step must be completed in the form of a written request to the Academic Dean within one calendar week after the student has been informed of the program committee decision. The Academic Dean will appoint two faculty members to serve on an ad hoc committee working to review the student's appeal. The ad hoc appeal committee will review all relevant materials and meet with the student and others, as deemed necessary. The decision of this ad hoc appeal committee is final. The ad hoc appeal committee will then report back to the program and the University Registrar regarding the final decision and its reasoning.
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.