There are many institutions that offer online masters in public health (MPH) programs and online masters in social work (MSW) programs that are separate from one another. There are also many institutions that offer dual MPH/MSW degrees, though most of them require students to take courses on campus. Fortunately, there are a couple of options for students who are looking to obtain a dual degree MPH/MSW in an online format, notably the University of Alabama and Temple University. The fields of social work and public health are complementary areas of study that often intersect, so the dual degree can make graduates uniquely qualified for positions in hospitals, local government, or patient home care. Online degrees are typically designed for working professionals who want to increase their credentials for career advancement, so if you are already working in a health related field, an online MPH/MSW degree can be a great next step. For additional information on great programs for online MPH degrees, have a look at the list of The Top 25 Online MPH Programs.
Temple University’s College of Public Health and School of Social Work offer a combined MPH/MSW degree that can be completed 100% online. The program offers students a wide range of unique opportunities for field experience, where students can apply their knowledge of social work and public health to professional situations. Temple’s MPH program allows students to choose between specialization in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Health Policy and Management. Their MSW program allows students to choose between mental health, and child and family specializations. In addition, students who complete their MSW degree are eligible to take the ASWB social work licensing exam, so that they can start practicing upon graduation. The MPH program requires the completion of 45 credit hours, and the MSW degree requires the completion of 60 credit hours, bringing the total amount of credits to 105, which are generally completed in four years, though motivated students who can manage their time or have limited career responsibilities can complete the degree in three years.
The University of Alabama offers an MSW/MPH dual degree program that can be completed 100% online. Students must first apply and be admitted to the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa’s School of Social Work, and then separately apply to the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Public Health. The benefit of applying for the dual degree is that it can be completed in two academic years if you take classes over two summers. If the degrees are completed sequentially this would usually take three and a half years, so students can cut a year and a half off of their time commitment. The dual degree requires the completion of 60 credit hours, which incorporates classes from both areas of study. The dual degree is able to be completed with the amount of credits that typically completes a single degree because there are crossover classes that count to both sections like Introduction to Epidemiology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Intro to PUH Systems. The MPH degree specializes in Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership.
