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Public Administration and Social Work, M.P.A. & M.S.W.

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Social Work

Choose a dual degree in social work and public administration to make a positive impact on communities through the effective performance of government agencies and other public affairs organizations.

Offered through the College of Social Work and the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, this dual degree prepares you to promote the health and well-being of diverse and vulnerable populations by improving organization performance through teaching, research, advocacy, community development and policy analysis.

Program Highlights

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    Dual Degrees

    Earn two degrees and prepare for careers in policy and public affairs with a broader range of knowledge and skills.

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    Prime Location

    Our students have access to internships with state government and other agencies through our location in the capital city.

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    Create Change

    Gain tools that equip you to make a positive impact on society and advance your career in public service.

What You’ll Study

Understand how public policy affects social issues and how social work shapes public policy. Learn to communicate and interact productively with diverse and changing populations to lead and manage in public administration. Develop skills to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions that can improve the lives of others.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Advocacy

    Promoting or defending a cause or issue often using awareness, education and policy change

    Empathy

    Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and demonstrating compassion and support

    Administration

    Overseeing operations, managing resources and implementing policies for efficient and effective organizational functioning

  • Policy Analysis

    Evaluating policies for effectiveness and impact, identify areas for improvement, and inform decision-making

    Interprofessional Collaboration

    Working with professionals from different disciplines to provide coordinated care or services

    Problem Solving

    Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

  • Advocate
  • Community Developer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Program Manager
  • Researcher
  • Grant Writer

Workplace Settings

  • Government Agencies
  • Policy Managment
  • Advocacy Organization
  • Research Organization
  • Corporations
  • Nonprofits

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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