Coordinated Master of Public Health/Master of Social Work (in Maternal and Child Health)

The MPH/MSW degree program is coordinated between the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama (MSW) and the Department of Maternal and Child Health (MPH).  The coordinated program prepares social workers for interdisciplinary practice in public health programs concerned with the promotion and improvement of the health of diverse populations, including women, children, and families.  Students who have been admitted to the MSW program in the School of Social Work and wish to pursue the coordinated degree option should contact the Department of Maternal and Child Health.  Students will attend classes in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

Admissions:  Students who choose the coordinated degree plan will be required to first secure admission to the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) School of Social Work (for the MSW) and, at the end of the first semester, to apply separately to the Department of Maternal and Child Health (for the MPH). Acceptance in the MSW program does not automatically insure acceptance into the MPH program and vice versa. 

MPH/MSW Learning Objectives

• describe the health problems faced by children and their families within the context of public health;
• apply the tools of biostatistics and epidemiology to analyze problems faced by children and their families;
• apply current policies and programs directed at children and their families and describe how they are developed;
• plan, implement, and administer MCH programs;
• demonstrate a solid foundation in both social work and public health principles and skills necessary for individuals interested in leadership positions at the community, state and national levels.

Curriculum:  The coordinated MPH/MSW degree can be completed in two academic years (including two summers) of full-time study. Students in the coordinated program will complete courses in the Enhanced MCH Skills MPH program in Maternal and Child Health.

Coursework		Credit Hours
MPH Core (Including the Integrative Experience)		19
BST 600	Biostatistics for Public Health	4
ENH 600	Fundamentals of Environmental Health	3
EPI 600	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
HB 600	Social and Behavioral Science Core	3
HCO 600	Introduction to Public Health Systems and Population-Based Health Programs	3
MCH 695	The Public Health Integrative Experience	3
MCH Core		20
MCH 600	Issues in MCH	3
MCH 601	Programs and Policies in MCH	3
MCH 609	Needs Assessment and Program Planning	3
MCH 619	Social Work in Public Health	2
MCH 661	Extended Fieldwork in MCH	6
HCO 618	Management Concepts in MCH	3
Social Work Course		3
SW 520	Research Methods for Social Work Practice (Suggested)	3
		MPH Total  42
	MSW degree total *

*  For information regarding social work concentrations eligible for this program and required course work, contact the chairperson of the MSW program in the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama.