5 In-Demand MSW Dual Degree Programs: California Career Paths
Want to take your career to the next level? MSW dual degree programs deliver excellent value for your investment. Graduates earn around $122,550 yearly or $59 per hour. The field grows faster than average, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% growth for social workers from 2019 to 2029.
Your advanced social work education opportunities flourish in California. The state offers 27 accredited MSW programs. These combined credentials create versatile career paths through various options. You could pursue MPH MSW dual degree programs that lead to leadership roles in healthcare organizations and government agencies. JD MSW dual degrees prepare you for legal advocacy work, while MBA MSW programs open doors to management positions. On top of that, many programs offer flexible completion times. Students with existing qualifications can finish in just 9 months. Other programs take 12 to 27 months based on your educational background.
These dual degrees enable you to create meaningful change at both individual and systemic levels. You’ll help diverse communities overcome social inequities while tackling complex challenges that need expertise from multiple disciplines.
University of California, Berkeley – MSW/MPH Dual Degree
Berkeley’s MSW/MPH Concurrent Degree is a top choice for students who want to master both social welfare and public health. Students learn to work across both fields through challenging courses and hands-on experience.
Program format
UC Berkeley requires full-time enrollment in the MSW/MPH Concurrent Degree program with at least 12 units each semester. Students usually take 14-20 units per semester to meet all degree requirements. The program combines both disciplines to create a complete educational experience.
You must have one full year (2,100 hours) of paid work or volunteer experience in social welfare or human services before you apply. Your résumé should be no more than three pages and list all social work experience with details about organizations, positions, dates, and total hours.
Both schools must accept you into the program. You need to submit one concurrent degree application through UC Berkeley’s Graduate and Professional Application system. The Public Health SOPHAS application isn’t needed for this program. Faculty committees from both schools review applications and must both recommend admission.
Duration and structure
The program saves you time. Rather than taking four years to complete both degrees separately, you can finish in three years plus one summer. This setup lets you meet all requirements for both degrees in less time.
The MSW part needs 54 units, while the MPH requires 48 units. The curriculum blends both fields so you can develop skills that cross disciplines and build your professional identity. You’ll learn about each field’s scope and how they work together while focusing on your chosen areas.
Tuition and financial aid
Berkeley’s graduate program costs match its quality. For 2025-26, on-campus graduate students can expect to pay about $54,901. Students with dependents might pay around $67,706, and off-campus students about $56,964. These amounts cover tuition, fees, living costs, and required Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
Berkeley automatically enrolls all graduate students in SHIP and charges them for health insurance. Students who have similar insurance that meets university standards might not need to pay this fee.
Berkeley offers several ways to pay for your education:
- Federal aid through FAFSA
- Work-Study opportunities
- Berkeley Graduate Division funding
- Social Welfare Departmental funding
- Child Welfare Scholars Program (Title IV-E Stipend Program)
- Conference travel grants
- Emergency loans
The university also helps graduate student parents, caregivers, international students, veterans, and undocumented students.
Specializations
Students can choose from three MPH focus areas:
- Food, Nutrition and Population Health
- Health and Social Behavior
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health
Almost half (48.8%) of MSW/MPH programs in the U.S. ask students to focus on a specific practice area. Berkeley’s focused areas let you study what interests you while learning skills that work across disciplines.
Field internships are a key part of the program. Most schools (73.2%) offer special internships that combine public health and social work. These internships help you use what you learn in class in real-life situations.
Career outcomes
Berkeley’s MSW/MPH graduates find many career paths. Their training in both fields makes them valuable in health and social services. Graduates often work in:
- Managed care organizations and hospitals
- Local and state health departments
- Federal health agencies
- Voluntary health agencies
- Community-based organizations
- Advocacy coalitions
Some graduates provide clinical services and manage programs. Others work as program coordinators, administrators, planners, or consultants.
MSW/MPH graduates can join professional groups like the American Public Health Association (Social Work Section), National Association of Social Workers, Association of State and Territorial Public Health Social Workers, Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care, and the Coalition of Social Work Organizations in Public Health.
MSW/MPH programs are growing more popular nationwide. Studies show graduates are happy with their choice. Most students (82.9%) choose these programs to become more marketable. About 78.0% want to combine skills from both fields, and 48.8% aim to work in public health social work. Many students (61%) like tackling big issues that cross both fields.
Berkeley’s MSW/MPH program is a smart choice for people who want to make a difference where social welfare meets public health. The program’s strong structure, cross-discipline approach, and practical focus prepare leaders who can solve complex social and health challenges in California and beyond.
San Diego State University – MSW/MPH Dual Degree
SDSU provides a challenging yet available path for professionals who want dual expertise in social work and public health. The School of Social Work and School of Public Health work together to give you complete educational experience with versatile skills to tackle complex health and social challenges.
Prog
San Diego State University’s concurrent graduate program combines coursework from both schools. Students learn to boost health, prevent disease, and optimize social and health service delivery within communities through this interdisciplinary approach.
Students need to meet SDSU‘s general graduate study requirements with a minimum 2.85 GPA in their last 60 semester or 90 quarter units of undergraduate work. Background in social work, social/behavioral sciences, or health science helps but isn’t required. Faculty from both schools form a committee that reviews applications and makes admission recommendations.
Students develop expertise in both fields while understanding how they connect. The Social Work Administration and Community Development Concentration focuses on two specialized areas of macro practice:
- Administration: Strategic management, social entrepreneurialism, program design, information systems, review, financial management, leadership, and supervision
- Community Development: Program development, grant writing, civic engagement strategies, and implementing sustainable community-driven changes
The MPH component specializes in Health Management and Policy (HMP). The division holds membership in the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). The program also connects with the Health Education Network of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and runs an active student chapter through the San Diego Organization of Healthcare Leaders.
Duration and structure
Full-time students complete the MSW/MPH dual degree with 93 units over three years. Students save time with this combined approach compared to pursuing each degree separately. The curriculum includes:
- Public Health Core Classes: 12 units
- Health Management and Policy Concentration Courses: 33 units
- Social Work Courses: 30 units
- Field Practicum: 15 units
- Integrative Learning Experience: 3 units
Students complete Social Work internships during the academic year in their second and third years. They enroll in 797 research courses in either the HMP Division or School of Social Work starting in the second year’s spring semester.
Students must file an approved Program of Study with the Office of Graduate Affairs, endorsed by the SPH Graduate Advisor. MSW program students file after completing the qualifying exam and advancing to candidacy.
Dual-degree students complete a thesis that combines theory, method, and analytic techniques from both disciplines. Students must finish their degree within seven years or face program dismissal.
Tuition and financial aid
Graduate education needs investment, but SDSU’s tuition remains affordable compared to other schools. Full-time MSW students currently pay approximately $10,800 per year in tuition and fees.
The School of Social Work supports 264 MSW students financially, including 25 at their Imperial Valley satellite campus. Students can receive scholarships and stipends between $500 and $18,500 to reduce educational costs.
Key financial aid options include:
- California Title IV-E Education Program: Gives up to $50,000 as a taxable stipend to MSW students
- Full-time MSW students get $25,000 yearly (maximum $50,000 over two years)
- Part-time MSW students working for county or state Department of Social Services receive reimbursement for tuition, fees, books, and allowable travel throughout their four-year program
- Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students: $1,000 to $5,000
- Community Organizing stipends: $5,000
- Individual scholarships: $500 to $2,500
Named scholarships include:
- David C. Pritchard Memorial Scholarship: Two $1,000 awards yearly
- Kathleen Kopels Celebration Scholarship: Two $500 awards yearly for Mental Health focus
- Mark Todd Sandways Memorial Scholarship: Up to $475 yearly
- Jamie Brenner Geller Memorial Scholarship: Up to $1,000 yearly for second-year students interested in children’s welfare
Special stipends for high-need areas:
- IVE program: $18,500 yearly for future public child welfare careers
- San Diego-Imperial Geriatric Education Center (SDIGEC) Geriatric MSW Stipend Program: $8,000
Specializations
The dual degree program combines Health Management and Policy expertise through the MPH with Social Work Administration and Community Development through the MSW. This unique combination prepares leaders for healthcare and social service organizations.
Students benefit from HMP Division’s connections with AUPHA and ACHE for networking and professional growth. The School of Social Work’s accreditation by the Council for Social Work Education ensures quality education and professional recognition.
Field practicums play a vital role in specialization during the second and third academic years. Students apply their knowledge in real-life settings while building professional networks and specialized skills.
The Cal IV-E program offers extra specialization for child welfare interests. This program looks for students with strong social justice values who want to address economic, social, and political issues affecting children and families in child welfare services. Students should be ready to develop strong direct practice skills while strengthening organizational and community capabilities.
Career outcomes
SDSU’s MSW/MPH dual degree graduates can tackle complex challenges where public health meets social welfare. The program’s main goal gives students knowledge and skills to boost health, prevent disease, and optimize social and health service delivery in communities.
Administration and Community Development training creates paths to leadership roles. Administration expertise leads to careers in strategic management, program design, review, and organizational leadership. Community Development skills prepare graduates for program development, grant writing, and sustainable community changes.
Cal IV-E program graduates work in public child welfare agencies after graduation, based on their financial support terms. This creates direct paths to effective careers serving vulnerable children and families.
The SDIGEC Geriatric MSW Stipend Program develops specialized gerontological social workers for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) workforce needs. This specialization addresses California’s aging population’s critical healthcare needs.
Students learn to promote health, prevent disease, and boost service delivery. These skills open doors to diverse roles in healthcare systems, government agencies, and community organizations where combined approaches to health and social welfare make real differences.
University of Southern California – MSW/MBA Dual Degree
The University of Southern California has a unique MSW/MBA dual degree program that blends social work expertise with business knowledge. This combination will help you lead both human services organizations and corporate settings as social responsibility becomes more important.
Program format
You need to apply separately to USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the USC Marshall School of Business. This admission process will give a strong foundation to students who can handle advanced study in both fields. The program helps you build skills in individual and group work plus organizational dynamics, marketing, decision sciences, accounting, and human relations.
This dual degree works best if you want management roles in human services and not-for-profit organizations. Your studies will help you master several critical areas:
- Human resources management
- Philanthropic and corporate social responsibility
- Organizational development
- Information management
The program’s integrated curriculum lets you blend knowledge from both fields. This creates a complete picture of how business principles can improve social service delivery.
Duration and structure
Students can finish the MSW/MBA program in three years (six semesters). This fast-track approach saves much more time than taking both degrees separately.
The MBA part needs all core courses plus graduate business electives to reach at least 48 units. Students can’t count courses from outside the Marshall School of Business toward these 48 units.
The social work portion needs 45 units minimum, though some program documents show a 48-unit requirement. The social work curriculum has:
- Three required courses
- Field practicum experience
- Specialized courses in integrative social work
Students receive both degrees at the same time after meeting all requirements. This creates a unified educational experience that shows how these fields connect.
Tuition and financial aid
A USC dual degree is a big investment. Good news – more than 65% of incoming on-ground MSW students get scholarships from the school to help with tuition.
Scholarships rarely cover all costs. Most students combine:
- School scholarships
- Federal loans
- Personal savings
USC provides dedicated support teams to help:
- USC Financial Aid Office manages FAFSA applications, Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loans, and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
- Scholarships Program Office handles disbursements, scholarship applications, and extra funding options
- USC Student Financial Services helps with account holds, tuition bills, and payment plans
Since funding has limits and scholarships aren’t guaranteed, early applications and exploring all aid options will maximize your support.
Specializations
The Department of Social Change and Innovation exclusively offers the MSW/MBA program. This shows its focus on organizational leadership and systemic change instead of clinical practice. The specialization helps you work where business efficiency meets social impact.
Your studies combine thorough training in both fields. The MSW part focuses on required courses listed in the Master of Social Work (Integrative Social Work) section of USC’s catalog. The MBA curriculum teaches core business knowledge you need to manage organizations effectively.
The program stands out by teaching skills that work in many sectors. From human resources management to philanthropic work and corporate social responsibility, you’ll learn to guide organizations through complex challenges that need both business sense and social welfare expertise.
Career outcomes
An MSW/MBA degree puts you in a special position to lead organizations that connect business operations with social impact. The program prepares you to work in:
- Human resources leadership
- Philanthropic program development
- Corporate social responsibility initiatives
- Organizational development
- Information management within social service contexts
This combined expertise helps you work with individuals, families, and groups while managing organizational dynamics, marketing strategies, accounting systems, and human relations. Your cross-discipline training lets you apply business best practices in mission-driven organizations to improve both operations and social impact.
The program’s focus on integrative social work shows that solving complex social problems needs both direct service expertise and leadership skills. This dual knowledge makes MSW/MBA graduates valuable in nonprofit management, healthcare administration, and social enterprise leadership.
The program focuses on organizational leadership rather than clinical practice. Your career will likely involve management roles where understanding both human needs and business operations creates chances for real systemic change. Getting both degrees at once strengthens this professional identity, showing employers you can guide both social welfare and business environments.
University of California, Los Angeles – MSW/JD Dual Degree
UCLA’s groundbreaking MSW/JD dual degree program gives students powerful legal knowledge and social welfare expertise. This creates a path for students who want to tackle social issues through legal frameworks. The program helps graduates handle complex societal challenges with skills valued across many sectors.
Program format
The MSW/JD dual degree at UCLA brings together UCLA Law and UCLA’s Social Welfare Department. Students get ready for careers in social welfare law and programs through this joint program. Social workers interested in legal issues that shape social welfare policy also benefit greatly.
Students must apply to both schools separately since each has its own admission requirements. The program aims to help people who want to create positive social change. Its curriculum blends legal training with social welfare views.
Students develop expertise in both fields during their studies. They learn analytical frameworks from law school along with interpersonal and community-based approaches from social welfare courses. This structure helps them work effectively in both legal and social welfare settings.
Duration and structure
This four-year program needs 120 weeks of residency credit. Students save time with this dual degree compared to getting both degrees separately. During these four years, students must finish:
- At least 75 first-year and elective Law School semester units
- At least 87 Social Welfare quarter units
The program follows a well-laid-out curriculum that builds skills in both disciplines. Coursework combines legal principles with social welfare approaches. This creates a complete educational experience focused on individual advocacy and systemic change.
Tuition and financial aid
UCLA Law is committed to making legal education available through various financial support options. Each year, they create financial aid packages that help more than 900 students with different needs.
Almost 90% of J.D. candidates get some form of financial help. About 82% receive gift aid they don’t need to pay back. Financial support includes:
- Grants and fellowships
- Scholarships (including full-tuition scholarships for qualified students)
- Various loan options
First-year students automatically qualify for Dean’s Scholarships, which might cover all three years of the J.D. program. The University of California Native American Opportunity Plan also pays in-state tuition and fees for California residents who belong to federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes.
UCLA’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) helps graduates who choose public interest careers. In the last decade, this program has paid about $4.50 million in student loan payments for graduates working in public interest positions, government roles, or judicial clerkships.
Specializations
The MSW/JD program prepares graduates to lead in law and social policy. These fields meet in many areas, so students learn how legal frameworks disrupt social welfare systems and vice versa.
Training covers specialized knowledge where social work and legal practice meet, such as family law, juvenile justice, and public policy development. This approach from both fields helps address complex social problems that need legal intervention and social welfare expertise.
Career outcomes
UCLA’s MSW/JD graduates are ready for leadership roles across legal and social welfare sectors. They often work as:
- Social service administrators
- Family court judicial personnel
- Public policy officials
- Juvenile court representatives
- Mediators
- Guardian ad litems
- Child support enforcement administrators
This mix of legal and social welfare expertise helps graduates create positive social change at both individual and systemic levels. The program’s approach gives them analytical frameworks, advocacy skills, and practical knowledge to handle complex social and legal challenges.
This combined expertise proves valuable when understanding both legal processes and human service needs creates chances for meaningful intervention and policy development. As social welfare systems increasingly overlap with legal frameworks, professionals with this dual training can lead revolutionary initiatives.
California State University, Long Beach – MSW/MPH Dual Degree
California State University, Long Beach’s MSW/MPH dual degree program creates a practical path to gain expertise in multiple fields. Students can earn two valuable credentials while saving time and expanding their career options.
Program format
Students must get approval from both graduate academic units to enter CSULB‘s concurrent master’s program. Both departments work together to create a detailed plan that helps students complete both degrees efficiently. Students need to complete separate final activities for each degree—they can choose between two different theses, two comprehensive exams, or mix both options.
Duration and structure
Students need at least 30 unique units for each degree in CSULB’s program. Additional units can be shared between the concurrent programs. Full-time students usually finish the required 42 MPH units within two years. The program has 27 graduate-level core courses plus concentration courses and electives. The MSW program provides specialized training through field placements that match your chosen concentration.
CSULB designs its MPH program to fit working professionals’ schedules with evening courses from 4pm to 9:45pm. Students benefit from flexible scheduling and a peer-mentorship program that connects first-year students with second-year mentors.
Tuition and financial aid
Graduate program costs at CSULB depend on where students live. The total costs for 2025 reach about $33,436 for on-campus students and $41,326 for those living off-campus. These amounts cover tuition ($9,926), housing, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Students from outside California pay $7,992 more in tuition.
CSULB understands these costs are a major investment and provides detailed breakdowns of expenses, including local housing costs.
Specializations
The MSW program features three specializations:
- Child and Family Wellbeing: Students learn strength-based approaches to help children and families in various populations
- Adulthood and Aging: Students focus on adult protective services, family caregiving, Alzheimer’s care, and long-term care
- Integrated Health: Students learn evidence-based practices to tackle physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges
The MPH program offers concentrations in Community Health, Global Health, and Latino Health. The program accepts 60-70% of applicants.
Career outcomes
Your dual expertise opens doors to meaningful roles that address complex health and social challenges. MSW specializations prepare you for work in child welfare, schools, adult protective services, healthcare teams, and behavioral health settings. MPH training adds public health knowledge to these opportunities. Graduates can work in community health organizations, healthcare systems, and policy development.
This unique combination of credentials prepares professionals to lead teams that tackle connected health and social welfare issues throughout California.
Choose Your California Dual Degree MSW Today
MSW dual degree programs in California give professionals amazing opportunities to make a bigger difference in multiple disciplines. These educational paths give you the specialized knowledge to bridge vital gaps between social work and related fields like public health, business administration, and law.
Five premier California programs offer distinct advantages. Students save about a year of study time compared to pursuing separate degrees. Graduates earn competitive salaries while helping solve critical social issues. The programs also build diverse skill sets that lead to leadership roles in tackling complex social challenges.
Each institution brings something unique to the table. UC Berkeley’s prestigious MSW/MPH program focuses on interdisciplinary learning. SDSU offers an available pathway that combines health management with community development. USC features a business-oriented MSW/MBA option. UCLA provides a law-centered MSW/JD program. CSULB’s flexible MSW/MPH program rounds out these choices. Each option arranges perfectly with specific career goals.
Money definitely matters for advanced education. Most programs help make these valuable credentials more available through substantial scholarships, stipends for specialized areas like child welfare, and various federal aid options.
Your career options grow exponentially after graduation. The dual expertise sets you up perfectly for roles that need both specialized knowledge and big-picture understanding. You’ll find great opportunities in healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofit leadership, legal advocacy, and policy development. These areas showcase the exceptional value of interdisciplinary training.
Your specific interests and career goals will help you choose the right dual degree path. All the same, these California programs show how well-designed curricula prepare you to tackle complex social challenges while growing professionally. MSW dual degree programs are a great investment for anyone committed to creating meaningful change at both individual and systemic levels.xf