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MSW/MPA Dual Degree Program Course Checklist

It is your responsibility to ensure that your degree and licensing requirements are met and in order to move into the second year of the program. Your academic advisor is available to help you. Please meet with the MSW advisor at least once per academic year to ensure you are on track.

Year One (MSW only)

Fall Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
PADMN6550 Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organizations 3 credit hours
SW6001 Practice I: Assessment, Engagement, Intervention, and Evaluation 3 credit hours
SW6030 HBSE Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 credit hours
SW6040 DSM and Psychopathology 3 credit hours
SW6240 Social Policies and Programs: Advocacy and Analysis for Justice 3 credit hours
    Total: 15 credit hours

Spring Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6002 Practice II 3 credit hours
SW6110 Research for Social Work Practice 3 credit hours
SW6120 Diversity & Social Justice: Reflexive & Ethical Social Work Practice I 3 credit hours
SW6140 Community-Based Strategies for Social Change 3 credit hours
    Total: 12 credit hours

Year Two

Fall Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6220 Diversity & Social Justice: Reflexive and Ethical Social Work Practice II 3 credit hours
SW6511* Field Practicum I 3 credit hours
PADMN6300 Administrative Theory 3 credit hours
PADMN6380 Public Budgeting and Finance 3 credit hours
PADMN6xxx Elective 2 credit hours
    Total: 15 credit hours

Spring Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6512* Field Practicum II 3 credit hours
PADMN6210 Public Administration & Law 3 credit hours
PADMN6335 Governance and the Economy 2 credit hours
PADMN6XXX Elective 2 credit hours
    Total: 12 credit hours

Year Three

Fall Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6xxx Practice I in Area of Focus 3 credit hours
SW6xxx Advanced Practice outside Area of Focus (counts as elective) 3 credit hours
SW6521** Advanced Field Practicum I 4 credit hours
PADMN6870 Seminar: Public Administration and Ethics 3 credit hours
PADMN6890 Capstone in Public Administration 2 credit hours
    Total: 16 credit hours

Spring Required Courses:

Course Number Title Credit Hours
SW6xxx Practice II in Area of Focus 3 credit hours
SW6xxx Elective (suggested 1 credit Interdisciplinary Seminar on Aging or Independent Study) 1 credit hour
SW6522** Advanced Field Practicum II 4 credit hours
PADMN6360 Public Human Resource Management 3 credit hours
    Total: 11 credit hours

 

Credit Hour Requirements

Program Credits
MSW Core 33
MSW Electives 4
MSW Practicum 14
MPA Core 24
MPA Electives 6
  MSW (51) + MPA (30) = 81 Credit Hours

Grades:

  • MSW students must earn a C+ or better in each of the required courses, including Practicum, to take the second course in any sequenced courses (e.g., Practice I and Practice II) and to move forward in the program.
  • MSW students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in order to be in good academic standing.

Coursework:

  • First-year MSW courses are held during the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Second- and thirdyear MSW courses are held during the day on Thursdays and Fridays. Core courses are only taught in specific semesters as indicated.
  • MPA classes are taught more than one time per year including summer semester. Dual-degree students should consult with the MPA Program Manager when changing proposed semesters for MPA classes, and the MSW Academic Advisor must be notified to keep the Program of Study up to date.
  • Courses may not count for the other program’s requirements (i.e., MSW elective counting toward MPA elective)
  • See area of focus course checklist for any additional requirements.
    *** Note: MSW students must take an Advanced Practice class outside their area of focus in either all or spring of year three.
  • School Social Work is not an area of focus. School SW courses count as electives.

Practicum:

  • MSW Practicum (fieldwork) is completed on weekdays not scheduled for classes. The majority of practicum placements take place during normal business hours. Therefore, evening/weekend opportunities are likely to be limited.

*Note: MSW students can complete foundation practicum SW6511/SW6512 either

  1. In a summer block placement following the first year (approx. 35 hours/week) or
  2. Practicum I fall and Practicum II spring semester of the second year (approx. 15 hours/week).

**Note: MSW students can complete advanced practicum SW 6521/6522 either

  1. in fall and spring of the third year (approx. 20 hours/week) or
  2. in a summer block placement following the third year (approx. 42 hours/week) with summer semester graduation.
Last Updated: 12/30/25