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University of Southern California

Dual Degrees

Master of Public Administration/Master of Social Work

Student social working show a drawing to a child.

The Master of Public Administration / Master of Social Work (MPA/MSW) dual degree offers students interested in careers as administrators of social agencies the opportunity to prepare for social work while developing the administrative capabilities necessary in the public sector.

The MPA/MSW requires two calendar years of full-time study. The first academic year is devoted to the standard social work first year curriculum. During the second year, the curriculum combines social work and public administration course work. The curriculum for both summers will be in public administration.

Students can enter this program only with the written consent of both schools. Students who apply initially to the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work must declare their intention to pursue the MPA/MSW dual degree at the time of their application. If admission is approved, such students will be admitted to the dual degree program. Social work students selecting this program are required to select the Community Organization, Planning and Administration concentration in their second year program. Students must complete 82 units (54 in social work and 28 in public administration).

To view descriptions of the courses below, visit the USC Course Catalogue.

Social Work (54 Units)

Contact the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work for Social Work requirements.

NOTE: *Students who have taken a Price leadership course are not required to take SOWK 611.

Public Administration (28 Units)

  • PPD 503 Economics for Public Policy  (Units: 4)
  • PPD 504 Essential Statistics for Public Management  (Units: 2)
  • PPD 540 Fundamentals of Public Administration (Units: 4)
  • PPD 546 Capstone in Public Administration  (Units: 4)
  • PPDE 505 Professional Workshop in Public Administration  (Units: 2)
  • PPD 541 Public Financial Management and Budgeting  (Units: 4) or
  • PPDE 645 Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations  (Units: 4)

NOTE: *PPD 545 is not required as students in this dual take SOWK 506 Human Behavior and the Social Environment, which covers similar content. 

Electives

Students take 8 units of electives (one management and one analytic).

Electives in Public Administration need to be selected from approved management and analytic electives (see MPA requirements). Any substitutions must be approved by the graduate adviser in the Price School of Public Policy.

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