Public Administration, MPA and Social Work, MSW (MPA/MSW)
Vision Statement
The MPA/MSW dual degree program is a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), Grace Abbott School of Social Work and the School of Public Administration. This program offers interdisciplinary preparation in the fields of social work and public administration leading to the master of social work and the master of public administration degrees, with fewer required credit hours than it would take to obtain these degrees independently.
The program prepares students to provide a variety of advanced level micro, mezzo, and macro social work services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; and assume leadership in the public service sector, specifically in administrative and policy work with governmental units and nonprofit organizations.
Students beginning the MPA/MSW program at the MSW Foundation level must complete 81 credit hours total. Students beginning the MPA/MSW program at the Advanced Standing level must complete 57 credit hours total.
Program Contact Information
Social Work
402.554.2793
graceabbott@unomaha.edu
Public Administration
James Harrold, PhD, Advisor
402.554.6702
jharrold@unomaha.edu
Program Website
Other Program Related Information
- Master’s level social workers are employed in public and private agencies, including medical settings, schools, residential treatment centers, court and correctional agencies, and community planning and development agencies.
- The MSW degree at the Grace Abbott School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for all social work education.
- Information on certification and licensure is available on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website.
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2025 and Fall 2025)
- Spring: November 1
- Foundation MPA/MSW students (those who do not have an undergraduate degree in social work, BSSW) admitted for the spring term are limited to only the MPA coursework in spring and summer terms. The MSW coursework will be added in the fall term.
- Advanced MPA/MSW students (those with an undergraduate degree in social work, BSSW) can begin both MPA and MSW coursework in the spring term.
- Fall: The priority deadline is February 1. Applications will be accepted through April 1.
- Students who have earned or will be earning any undergraduate degree may apply for fall admission.
-
- Students admitted as either Foundation MPA/MSW or Advanced MPA/MSW can begin both MSW and MPA coursework in the fall term.
Note: If admitted to the Master of Social Work program and you wish to become a dual degree MSW/MPA student you will need to adhere to the MPA deadline date which is June 1(fall) or October 1 (spring).
Other Requirements
- The general prerequisite for admission to the program is a four-year bachelors’ degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the junior and senior years (last 50-60 hours).
-
English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
-
Internet-based TOEFL, 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
-
- Statement of Purpose: Two statements of purpose are required; one for the School of Public Administration and one for the Grace Abbott School of Social Work
- For Social Work, the statement of purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of and fit for the social work profession, as well as your aptitude for graduate-level social work education. The Admissions Committee pays close attention to both content and writing skills. In your statement of purpose, please address each of the items listed below, and should be no more than five (5) pages, double-spaced, in a 12-point font. Your response to each of the items should be roughly the same length. If your statement of purpose does not clearly and directly address each of the items or does not follow the instructions, it may not be considered.
- Why have you chosen social work? Your response should demonstrate a basic understanding of the social work profession, including what distinguishes it from other helping professions.
- Social work is a values-based profession dedicated to mitigating inequality and enhancing human wellbeing, especially for vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed populations. From the core values and ethical principles identified in the NASW Code of Ethics, identify and discuss one that resonates with you and one that may challenge you.
- Social workers are self-reflective, strengths-based, and growth-oriented. Identify a strength that you possess and an area for growth. Discuss how you became aware of these, how they show up in your current professional practice, and how they may influence your future professional practice.
- The social work profession is rooted in social justice. Social workers adopt a stance of cultural humility and strive towards cultural awareness. Discuss a time when you realized that one of your personal or cultural identities influenced your reaction to a social situation. Reflecting on that experience, how might it influence your future social work practice?
- For Public Administration, the essay should answer the following questions:
- Please tell us about the factors in your background that will help us understand your interest in a profession in the public or nonprofit sectors.
- What are your professional goals? Ten years from now, what do you hope to be doing professionally?
- How can this dual degree from UNO help you achieve these goals?
- Please tell us about the factors in your background that will help us understand your interest in a profession in the public or nonprofit sectors.
- For Social Work, the statement of purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of and fit for the social work profession, as well as your aptitude for graduate-level social work education. The Admissions Committee pays close attention to both content and writing skills. In your statement of purpose, please address each of the items listed below, and should be no more than five (5) pages, double-spaced, in a 12-point font. Your response to each of the items should be roughly the same length. If your statement of purpose does not clearly and directly address each of the items or does not follow the instructions, it may not be considered.
- Resume: Applicants are highly encouraged to have professional experience in the human service field. Please submit a professional resume that identifies:
- Educational and occupational experiences since high school
- List start and end dates with month and year
- Identify whether the position is part or full-time
- Identify whether the position is paid or volunteer
- Field placements, internships or practicums
- Honors or distinctions received
- Educational and occupational experiences since high school
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommendation requests are generated from your online application. The recommendations should be from professional and academic sources who are directly familiar with your skills and experience. At least one reference should be from an immediate professional supervisor. If you have graduated from an academic program within the past three years, at least one reference should be from a faculty member who can speak directly to your academic preparation for graduate social work education. References from family members, family friends, personal friends, personal therapists, or other non-professional/academic sources will not be scored.
The MSW Foundation Program is a 63 credit hour program available to applicants who do not hold a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work.
The MPA/MSW Advanced Standing Program is a 57 credit hour program available to applicants who have earned a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work within the last 10 years.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Foundation Courses | ||
| SOWK 8070 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I | 3 |
| SOWK 8080 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II | 3 |
| SOWK 8090 | SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY | 3 |
| SOWK 8110 | INSTITUTIONAL OPPRESSION | 3 |
| SOWK 8130 | GENERALIST PRACTICE I | 3 |
| SOWK 8150 | GENERALIST PRACTICE II | 3 |
| SOWK 8160 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM I 1,2 | 3 |
| SOWK 8170 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM II 1,3 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
- 1
A student must receive grades of "B" or higher in practicum courses (SOWK 8160 and SOWK 8170).
- 2
This course requires special planning with the department. Students must go through the planning process one semester prior to the start of the course. No planning happens in the summer term.
- 3
This course is a continuation of SOWK 8160. If a new placement is necessary, students may be required to go through the original planning process again.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Public Administration Courses | ||
| PA 8050 | FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINSTRATION | 3 |
| PA 8090 | ORGANIZATION THEORY AND BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| PA 8100 | ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
| PA 8300 | POLICY DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 3 |
| PA 8400 | PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT BUDGETING | 3 |
| PA 8530 | PLANNING AND EVALUATION | 3 |
| PA 8990 | CAPSTONE PROJECT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| Public Administration Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| PUBLIC POLICY EVALUATION | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR | ||
| PUBLIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | ||
| SEMINAR IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | ||
| SEMINAR IN GRANT WRITING | ||
| INTERGOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT | ||
| ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP | ||
| Required Social Work Courses | ||
| SOWK 8190 | RESEARCH & COMPUTER APPLICATIONS | 3 |
| SOWK 8220 | CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS | 3 |
| SOWK 8230 | CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS | 3 |
| SOWK 8540 | PLANNING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | 3 |
| SOWK 8290 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH | 3 |
| SOWK 8650 | HEALTH/MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES FOR SOCIAL WORK | 3 |
| SOWK 8940 | EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS | 3 |
| SOWK 8400 | ADVANCED GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM I 1,2 | 3 |
| SOWK 8410 | ADVANCED GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM II 1,3 | 3 |
| Social Work Community Practice Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ADVOCACY | ||
| ADVANCED COMMUNITY PRACTICE | ||
| ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES (Social Work Elective) | ||
| Social Work Elective | ||
| Select three hours of SOWK graduate courses | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 57 | |
- 1
A student must receive a grade of B or higher in practicum courses (SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410).
- 2
This course requires special planning with the department. Students must go through the planning process one semester prior to the start of the course. No planning happens in the summer term.
- 3
This course is a continuation of SOWK 8400. If a new placement is necessary, students may be required to go through the original planning process again.