Introduction to the University of Pittsburgh MSWMPH Joint Degree Program

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Introduction to the University of Pittsburgh
MSW/MPH Joint Degree Program

• PPT Presentation developed by
• Lisa Greco, MSW,MPH
• Rachelle Das, MSW, MPH
• In collaboration with the Center for
• MCH Leadership in Public Health Social Work

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What is Public Health Social Work?

• Focuses on Prevention
• Emphasis on populations rather than individuals
• Aims for long-term strategies, planning and
  policy change

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What is Public Health Social Work?

• Epidemiological approach to identifying social
  problems affecting the health status and social
  functioning of all groups.
• Address health with a broad perspective including
  physical, emotional, social and spiritual
  well-being.
• Assess health needs of target populations and
  study association between social environment and
  health status

Public Health Social Work Standards and
Competencies, May 2005
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• MSW/MPH Degree?

• Joint Degree Program between the Graduate
  School of Public Health and the School of Social
  Work.

www.bchs.pitt.edu
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Program Overview

• Prepares students for leadership roles in public
  health, social welfare and addressing the complex
  interaction between health and social problems.
• Strong commitment to social justice, elimination
  of health disparities and a holistic
  understanding of the social environments effect
  on health.

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Logistics of the Program

• Essentially a 3-year program
• Total Credits 86 credits
• 50 in Social Work 36 in Public Health
• Selected core courses from each program will
  fulfill requirements in the other program.

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Program Logistics

• Required to complete two different field
  placements. One field placement must have a
  public health emphasis.
• Students will have a faculty advisor in both
  public health and social work.

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An Overview of the Curriculum

• Available to both Direct Practice and the COSA
  (community organizing and social administration)
  tracks
• Advanced Standing BSW graduates
• Sample curriculum plans are available at
• http//www.bchs.pitt.edu/programs/documents/We
  bsiteProgramofStudy.pdf

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Key Points

• Social Work
• 50 Credits
• 2 Field Requirements (one with public health
  emphasis)
• No Thesis/Essay Requirement
• Optional Licensure Examination

• Public Health
• 36 Credits
• Field credits are covered by Social Work Field
• Thesis/Essay Requirement
• Optional Certification Examination

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Areas of Emphasis

• Life Span Approach
• Multi-disciplinary focus
• Strong collaborations within the University and
  the medical center
• Major community partnerships

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People You Should Know
Valire Carr Copeland, PhD, MPH Associate
Professor, School of Social Work and Graduate
School of Public Health412-624-6324E-mail
sswvcc_at_pitt.edu
Kenneth J. Jaros, MSW, PhD Director, Center for
MCH Leadership Graduate School of Public
HealthPhone 412-624-3161E-mail
kjaros_at_pitt.edu
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Benefits of a Joint Degree in Public
Health/Social Work

• Offers a multidisciplinary approach to addressing
  broad health and social issues.
• Increases the skills and knowledge that you will
  bring to the work force.
• Prepares students for leadership roles in Program
  planning, program evaluation, community-based
  health assessments, policy formulation and much
  more!

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Traditional fields that attract Public Health
Social Workers

• Maternal and Child Health
• HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs
• Communicable and Infectious Diseases
• Health Education and Outreach
• Environmental Health
• Community Health

Roles and Functions of Social Workers in Public
Health
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Range of Topic Areas

• Services to Children and Families
• Aging/PH gerontology
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
• Preparedness and Disaster Response
• Program Evaluation Methods
• Health Disparities Research and Program
  Development

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Field Sites Student Internships

• Bridging the Gaps
• Community Human Services
• Community Health Centers
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
• Healthy Start/Early Head Start

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Where our Grads are Now

• Executive Director of Mental Health Services
  Program
• Public Health program development Director, State
  Department of Health
• Health Education and Training Specialist
• Maternal and Child Health Specialist, County
  Health Department
• Doctoral student in Social Work
• Research Associate, Graduate School of Public
  Health

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Useful Resources

• APHA American Public Health Association
  http//www.apha.org/
• NASW National Association of Social Workers
  http//www.naswdc.org/
• Public Health Foundation http//www.phf.org/links
  .htm
• Social Work Licensure Website http//www.aswb.org