Graduate Academic Offerings Database

Academic Programs

MPA + MSW Dual Degree

Public Administration and Social Work

The MPA and MSW Dual Degree Program prepares students for administrative positions in social service agencies. It also helps social workers gain the management and administrative skills needed for roles as supervisors, administrators and agency heads. Similarly, public administration practitioners recognize the need for specialized knowledge and skills to respond to an environment of increasing policy and organizational complexity within social welfare agencies. The program is designed to ensure students acquire both the management and social work skills necessary to excel in these environments.

By carefully structuring the sequence of courses, recognizing comparable course offerings, and using courses in one program to count as electives in the other, students are often able to complete both degrees in three years of full-time study without compromising the professional standards of either program.

Successful completion of the dual degree programs results in two degrees: a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) and Master's in Social Work (MSW).

Graduate Degrees Offered

MPA + MSW (Social Work)

Related Degree Programs

Application Deadlines

Students must apply to both the MPA program and the MSW program by their individual deadlines. Applicants need to create two separate online (Embark) accounts in order to submit the two separate applications. Each application requires an application fee to the Graduate School. In order to participate in the dual degree program, students must be admitted to both programs concurrently.

	Fall Admission	Spring Admission
MPA	January 15 (funding) April 15 (regular)	October 15
MSW	February 1	n/a

Admission Requirements*

The standards maintained by The Graduate School and individual departments and programs are applied to ensure that applicants admitted to the University are well qualified and trained to study at this institution and have a reasonable expectation of successfully completing a graduate program, and who, with the benefit of graduate education, are most likely to contribute substantially to their academic or professional fields.

To be eligible, you must have and provide:

A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
Complete set of your undergraduate and graduate transcripts. At minimum, a 3.0 GPA is required. See details.

All applicants must submit the following:

Online graduate degree application and application fee
Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)

And, for international applicants:

International Student Financial Statement form (PDF)
Official bank statement/proof of support
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores

Applicants must also meet the following program-specific requirements:

MPA

Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know you in a professional capacity such as professors, work supervisors and professionals from organizations where you have volunteered
Personal statement (2-3 pages) that specifically discusses the applicant's background, why the applicant has chosen Binghamton University's MPA program and how an MPA will help you achieve your professional goals
Official GRE scores. GMAT scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores.

MSW

Minimum of 24 credit hours (undergraduate) in the liberal arts and sciences, with a minimum of 15 credit hours in the social sciences (anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology)
Paid or volunteer experience related to human services (to be included on the applicant's C.V. or resume)
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your potential for graduate study (such as those with whom you have worked in an academic, professional, volunteer or work-related capacity)
- Each letter must be accompanied by (and, if necessary, submitted separately from) a completed Letter of Recommendation MSW form
- If you are a college student or a recent graduate, one letter of reference must be from a college instructor
- If you are or have recently been employed, one letter of reference must be from an employment supervisor
Personal statement of 6-8 pages
A signed copy of the Social Work Contract
- By signing the above document, you agree, if admitted to the program, to abide by the professional standards of social work as set forth by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Review the Code of Ethics before signing the contract.
A completed Certification of Information sheet
- To be completed in reference to the MSW Program

*This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to keep it accurate and up-to-date, we recommend you contact the department for program-specific requirements.

Contact

Kristina Lambright, Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies (MPA)
klambrig@binghamton.edu
607-777-9186

Brian Flynn, Director of Admissions and Student Services (MSW)
bjflynn@binghamton.edu
607-777-9164

MPA-MSW Dual Degree Program

College of Community and Public Affairs website