Dual Degree Programs

Master of Social Work/Master of Bioethics (MSW/MBE)

Reviewed 11/08

Overview

The MSW/Masters in Bioethics (MBE) is a dual degree program sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. The aim of the dual degree program is to prepare students to be leaders in bioethics-related, research-based program and policy venues in the social services, life sciences and medicine. This dual degree program blends the like missions and values of social work and medicine for equitable service provision, knowledgeable development of ethical policies, and just decision making in the 21st century global environment of rapid technological and social change.
Students will have the opportunity to earn both degrees in two years (two academic years and two summers).
This program is intended to:
- Provide valuable tools for social workers in local, state, and national venues.
- Expand the range of frameworks applicable to decision making in matters of bioethics and social policy and practice.
- Stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration in research, policy making, and implementation.

Application Process

Students apply first to the School of Social Policy and Practice, and only upon acceptance to the Penn MSW program should students apply for the MSW/MBE dual degree.
1. Students applying to the MBE may use the same letters of recommendation used for the MSW application.
2. The MBE degree requires no GRE or other standardized test scores.
3. A separate application fee is required for the MBE degree.
The MSW/MBE degree is open only to full-time MSW students on the clinical or macro practice track.

Degree Completion Requirements

In order for a student to receive both degrees, he or she must complete the independent degree requirements of each program.
For Social Work
1. Students must complete 16 CUs for the MSW portion of the degree:
  1. SW 601, 602, 603, 604, 611, 612, 613, 614, 701, 702, 704/708, 714/718, 715, 744 and BIOE 601 and 602.
For the MBE program
1. Students must complete nine course units toward the MBE portion of the degree. Of these, students take six course units in the Department of Medical Ethics (BIOE 601, 602, 996, and 3 electives) and three course units at the School of Social Work (SW 701, 702, and 744).
Combining non-course requirements from both programs
1. Students have two options after completion of SW 744.
  1. If the final paper for SW 744 relates to Bioethics, the student can petition it to count as BIOE 996, the final project for the MBE.
    1. Students who would like to count SW 744 as their MBE final project must submit a Petition for Action and receive approval from the Director of Graduate Studies prior to the semester in which the writing is to be done.
    2. If the student chooses this option, then they may take a BIOE elective instead of BIOE 996
  2. Alternatively, the topic discussed in SW 744 can be built upon and completed as BIOE 996, the final project for the MBE.
2. Given the above, the following table illustrates how the double counting works:

20 CUs FOR THE MSW/MBE:	16 CUs FOR THE MSW:	9 CUs FOR THE MBE:
REQUIRED:
SW 601	SW 601
SW 602	SW 602
SW 603	SW 603
SW 604	SW 604
SW 611	SW 611
SW 612	SW 612
SW 613	SW 613
SW 614	SW 614
SW 701	SW 701	SW 701
SW 702	SW 702	SW 702
SW 704/708	SW 704/708
SW 714/718	SW 714/718
SW 715	SW 715
SW 744	SW 744	SW 744*
BIOE 601	BIOE 601	BIOE 601
BIOE 602	BIOE 602	BIOE 602
ELECTIVES:
BIOE 996 OR XXX*		BIOE 996 OR XXX*
BIOE XXX		BIOE XXX
BIOE XXX		BIOE XXX
BIOE XXX		BIOE XXX

* If the student uses their SW 744 as their MBE final project, then the student would take 4 BIOE electives (XXX).

4. Program Sequencing

a. The joint degree is earned in two years, as follows:

YEAR 1

Fall

SW 601

SW 602

SW 603

SW 604 + Field

Spring

SW 611

SW 612

SW 613

SW 614 + Field

Summer

SW 715

SW 744

BIOE XXX*

YEAR 2

Fall

SW 702

SW 704/708

SW 760/7XX

BIOE 601

Spring

SW 701

SW 714/718

BIOE 602

BIOE XXX

Summer

BIOE XXX

BIOE 996 or XXX

*XXX indicates a flexible elective. Students should consult with both departments for guidance in choosing appropriate electives.

5. Tuition and Financial Aid

The School of Social Policy and Practice will be the home school for all of the first year, as well as the summer of year 1 and the fall of the second year.
The Department of Medical Ethics will be the home school for the spring and summer of the second year.
Financial aid decisions are made by the School of Social Policy and Practice alone.
The Department of Medical Ethics does not offer any financial aid, grants, or scholarships.

6. Scheduling Courses

Students register for courses in one program in that program’s registration period and according to that program’s registration rules and procedures.
The timing and location of course scheduling must also be considered so that students are best able to attend all classes.

7. Communication Issues

Students with questions about the MSW/MBE program can address them to the following persons:
1. Prospective students with questions about the MSW program: Joretha Bourjolly, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Policy & Practice, jerri@sp2.upenn.edu
2. Currently enrolled MSW/MBE students with questions about MSW course selection, scheduling, tuition concerns, etc.: Joretha Bourjolly, PhD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, jerri@sp2.upenn.edu
3. Currently enrolled MSW/MBE students with questions about financial aid: Nancy Rodgers, Registrar, School of Social Policy & Practice nancyr@sp2.upenn.edu
4. Prospective students with question about the MBE Program: Nora Jones, PhD, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies, noralj@mail.med.upenn.edu
5. Currently enrolled MSW/MBE students with questions about MBE course selection, scheduling, tuition concerns, etc: Nora Jones, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies, noralj@mail.med.upenn.edu
Each year, this document will be reviewed and re-approved by representatives of both departments. Currently, that review will be handled by:
1. For the School of Social Policy and Practice: Joretha N. Bourjolly, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Policy & Practice.
2. For MBE: Autumn Fiester, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Medical Ethics

8. Issues Particular to the Program

Students in the joint degree program may have particular career interests and goals. They are encouraged to contact Sharon Fleshman in the Career Services Office at the University of Pennsylvania, Suite 20, McNeil Bldg. 3718 Locust Walk, fleshman@pobox.upenn.edu and with either Dr. Fiester or their faculty advisor at the Department of Medical Ethics.