Social Work, MSW and Public Health, MPH (MSW/MPH)

Vision Statement

The MSW/MPH dual degree program is a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace Abbott School of Social Work. This program offers interdisciplinary preparation in the fields of social work and public health leading to the master of social work and the master of public health degrees, with fewer required credit hours than it would take to obtain these degrees independently. 

This dual degree program prepares students to provide a variety of advanced social work services with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  This dual degree also allows graduates to assume leadership in the public health sector to promote and protect physical and mental health, with a focus on population-based services, prevention, collaboration, and strategies and policies grounded in basic science.

Students beginning the MSW/MPH program at the MSW Foundation level must complete 81 credit hours total. Students beginning the MSW/MPH program at the Advanced Standing level, must complete 57 credit hours total.

Program Contact Information

402.554.2793
graceabbott@unomaha.edu

Program Website

UNO or UNMC

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 (Fall 2025)

• Fall Admission:
  • MSW- The priority deadline is February 1. Applications will be accepted through April 1.
  • MPH- June 1
• The MPH application is completed online through the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  • The MSW Admissions Committee decides on admission to the MSW program; the MPH Admissions Committee decides on admission to the MPH program. A student not admitted to both programs may pursue the other degree if admitted.

MSW Other Requirements

• 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: 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, in 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.

  • What type of work are you planning to engage with once you attain your MSW degree? Specifically, what are the issues, populations, and levels of practice you hope to work with after graduate school?

  • 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? 

  • 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.

  • 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.

• 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
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required, the recommendation requests are generated from your online application.  These 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 two years, it is suggested that 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.
  • If transferring from another accredited MSW program, one letter must be from a current faculty member associated with that program.

MPH Other Requirements

• GRE

The MSW/MPH Foundation Program is a 78-credit hour program available to applicants who do not hold a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work.

The MSW/MPH Advanced Standing Program is a 54-credit hour program available to applicants who have earned a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work.

Degree Requirements

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.

¹

SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410 will include MPH Capstone Requirements.

²

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.

Exit Requirement 

Satisfactory completion with a grade of B or better in SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410

Academic Policies and Standards

The MSW Student Handbook can be found here.