Dual Degree Programs - Master of Social Work/Master of Nonprofit/NGO Leadership Program (MSW/NPL)
Starting, managing or leading an organization demands business knowledge, human understanding, leadership skills and a dedication to enhancing community viability. It is vital that individuals preparing for major leadership responsibilities at an organization enhance those skills necessary to promote human and system transformation. The dual MSW/NPL program in the School of Social Policy & Practice emphasizes these multi-dimensional skills and competencies. Understanding interpersonal dynamics, values, and other skill sets in social work enables administrators, managers and leaders to create opportunities for communities and the larger society. Knowledge about organizational structure and dynamics, and other elements of the nonprofit/NGO sector empowers our students to take creative, dynamic, effective and passionate leadership acts.
The program is uniquely tailored for mature students with substantial volunteer or professional work experience. The curriculum covers two and a half (2½) years and includes core and elective courses for both the MSW and NPL degrees. During the first year, students take all MSW required courses including the field internship. Students have the option of taking MSW course SW715 (Introduction to Social Work Research) over a summer session. In the second year, students continue with their field placement, MSW courses and take a limited number of NPL core courses. The advanced MSW field placements are arranged in such a way that students in their second year will spend one day a week in a mentorship capacity within their field placement. In the fifth and final semester, students will take a combination of NPL core and elective courses. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive the dual degrees of Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science in Nonprofit/NGO Leadership (MS).
Application Information
Applicants for this program must apply to both the MSW and the NPL program at the School of Social Policy & Practice. As both degrees are awarded at the same school, there is only one application fee. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for each program.
MSW/NPL General Program of Study
Updated 2/18/2008
Here is an example of what the course grid will look like for students pursuing a dual degree in social work and nonprofit/NGO leadership. Students in the dual degree program will meet with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the NPL academic advisor to create an individually tailored course schedule.
Nonprofit/Nongovernmental Organization Leadership Program & MSW Joint Degree Course Grid 24 Course Credit for joint degree program[1]
Semester 1 (Fall) |
Semester 2 (Spring) |
Summer Session |
Semester 3 (Fall) |
Semester 4 (Spring) |
Summer Session |
Semester 5 (Fall) |
1st year |
1st year |
Students may take a SWRK course over one of the summer sessions |
2nd year |
2nd year |
Students may take a SWRK course over one of the summer sessions OR NPL elective or independent study |
3rd year |
| Students take the normal MSW course load | Students take the normal MSW course load | Students take a mixture of SWRK and NPL courses | Students take a mixture of SWRK and NPL courses | Students take remaining NPL courses | ||
SWRK 601 SWRK 602 SWRK 603 SWRK 604 |
SWRK 611 SWRK 612 SWRK 613 SWRK 614 |
SWRK 715 NPLD 787[2] NPLD 788[3] NPLD 791 SWRK704/708 |
NPLD 789[4] NPLD 792 MSW elective[5] SWRK 7XX SWRK714/718 |
NPLD 785[6] NPLD 786 NPLD 790 NPLD elective #1 NPLD elective #2 NPLD elective #3 NPLD elective #4 |
||
| Field is 3 days a week | Field is 3 days a week | |||||
| 4 Credits | 4 Credits | 5 Credits | 5 Credits | 6 Credits |
[1] Nonprofit/NGO Leadership Program and the MSW joint degree program consists of a minimum of five (5) semesters and 24 credits (a reduction of two credits from 26 for taking both degree programs independently). In semesters 3 and 4, the student would have a “mentoring” requirement added on at the site of their MSW advanced practice placement. This would provide the student exposure to a senior level manager at their organization to meet the NPL mentorship requirement.
[2] NPLD 787 could count as one of the free electives for the MSW degree.
[3] NPLD 788 counts as the SWRK 740 Strategic Planning Macro Practice elective (and double count toward both degrees).
[4] NPLD 789 could count as the SWRK research option (and double count toward both degrees).
[5] One practice elective must be taken in the MSW program and be in the student’s concentration.
[6] Students must take two of three NPLD courses: NPLD 785, 786 or 790. The third NPLD course could serve as one of the NPLD electives if the student chooses.
Note: Students applying to this dual degree program can either apply for both degree programs at the time of application or they can apply for the MSW degree program first then apply for the NPL program at the end of their first semester.