Master of Public Health in Social Work and Public Health

This dual-degree concentration offers advanced training opportunities for public service individuals, particularly social workers, that are dedicated to achieving health equity and overcoming health disparities in health care settings and systems.

This program, founded upon the intersection of public health and social welfare, prepares students to prevent, address, and resolve health problems at various levels, including the micro (individual/clinical), mezzo (family, organizational, or community), or macro (society or population) levels. Honing students’ knowledge in urban health and social and behavioral sciences, graduates will become public health social workers that understand the intertwining individual, biological, social, economic, political, and environmental factors that critically influence treatment and health outcomes.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam and apply for licensing in social work.

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MPH curriculum in Social Work and Public Health will be able to:

• MPH-SWPH1: Analyze the role of individual, biological, social, economic, political, and/or environmental factors that influence health status;
• MPH-SWPH2: Develop an evaluation plan, including process and impact evaluation approaches, for a population-based intervention, program, or issue;
• MPH-SWPH3: Apply research methodology, interpretation of research literature, and integration of research principles into evidence-based public health;
• MPH-SWPH4: Critically evaluate and integrate various theories of human behavior regarding individuals/families and/or communities; and
• MPH-SWPH5: Analyze a racial, social, economic, or environmental justice strategy of social welfare policy or program.

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The MPH in Social Work and Public Health degree is offered to students on a full-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. The degree requirements may be completed in three years. 

Students seeking the MPH in Social Work and Public Health degree must complete 45 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within six years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. The Social Work and Public Health concentration is restricted to MPH/MSW dual-degree students.

Students will complete a total of 72 credits, 42 credits of MSW coursework and 30 credits of MPH coursework, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

New Brunswick and Newark

*MSW/MPH students participate in the MPH in Social Work and Public Health concentration to take full advantage of the dual-degree program. Other MPH concentrations would require additional coursework as less credits would be shared among the two degree programs.

Fall Semester Start Date
January 15 (priority)
May 1 (regular)

Spring Semester Start Date
October 15 (priority)
December 1 (regular)

Students interested in the MPH in Social Work and Public Health degree will be required to apply and be accepted to both the Rutgers School of Social Work and Rutgers School of Public Health separately.

A complete application includes:

• Online application
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
  • Interest in the program
  • Preparedness for the program
  • Goals and aspirations
• Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years
• Resume or CV
• GRE General Exam (optional)
• TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country