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University of Southern California

Dual Degrees

Master of Urban Planning / Master of Social Work (MUP/MSW)

The dual degree in social work and planning provides skills and real-world experience for students who plan to pursue careers related to societal and community welfare policy, social planning, or social services delivery. Graduates find a broad range employment options and professional advantages are gained by holding the dual degree.

The MUP/MSW schedule affords students direct service experience in the first year, thereby supplementing coursework with fieldwork early on. Courses for both degrees are taken simultaneously, enabling social work and planning content to be explored at intersections.

Two years of field practicums in social work provide in-depth exposure to social service issues from both planning and direct service perspectives. The practicums also satisfy some of the planning lab/workshop requirements, as well as the planning internship.

Requirements

Students must complete 83 units including:

  • 51 units in social work
  • 32 units in planning

In addition, students must select a community organization, planning and administration concentration in the second year of their social work program.

Policy, Planning, and Development

  • Planning Theory and History for a Just Society, Fall (PPD 522) – 4 units
  • Urban and International Development, Spring (PPD 523) – 4 units
  • Physical Planning: Urban and Community Design, Spring (PPD 528) – 2 units
  • Legal Environment of Planning, Spring (PPD 529) – 2 units
  • Data, Evidence, and Communication for the Public Good, Fall (PPD 534) – 4 units
  • Planning Studio, Fall (PPD 531L) – 4 units
  • Capstone in Urban Planning, Spring (PPD 629) – 4 units
  • Concentration Gateway Class – 4 units
  • Concentration Methodology Class – 4 units

Social Work

  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (SOWK 503) – 3 units
  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (SOWK 505) – 3 units
  • Policy and Practice in Social Service Organizations (SOWK 534) – 3 units
  • Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (SOWK 543) – 4 units
  • Social Work Practice with Groups and Complex Cases (SOWK 545) – 2 units
  • Social Work Research (SOWK 562) – 3 units
  • Field Practicum (SOWK 586ab) – 3-3 units
  • Integrative Learning for Social Work Practice (SOWK 587ab) – 2-2 units
  • Special Topics (approved by concentration) (SOWK 599) – 3 units
  • Leadership in the Social Work Profession and Organization – (SOWK 611) – 3 units
  • Evaluation of Research: Community Organization, Planning and Administration (SOWK 629) – 3 units
  • Management for Community and Social Services (SOWK 648) – 3 units
  • Field Practicum II (SOWK 686ab) – 4-4 units

In addition, students select from one of the following:

  • Merging Policy, Planning, and Research for Change in Families and Children’s Settings (SOWK 603) – 3 units
  • Social Policy: Health care (SOWK 636) – 3 units
  • Improving Work Life Through Social Policy and Managing Organizational Development and Change (SOWK 672) – 3 units

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