Career Opportunities for MSW/VMD Graduates

Professional career opportunities include, but are not limited to, positions in:

  • Governmental organizations where social policies that address human and animal welfare are reviewed and developed;
  • Healthcare organizations and institutions where the human animal bond is a critical element in the welfare of patients (veterinary schools, medical schools, hospices, emergency housing settings);
  • Organizations that coordinate disaster relief efforts; and
  • Professional and academic organizations that directly serve the veterinary profession, which suffers from one of the highest suicide rates in the health professions.

About the Program

A total of up to eight courses are cross-counted between the two degrees and the advanced year of MSW field placement will fulfill at least two clinical elective requirements for the VMD. Students in the first two academic years of the dual degree enroll as Penn Vet students. Four of their core experiences can fulfill MSW requirements and electives. Students will also have the option of completing one MSW requirement over the summer.

Students in the third and fourth academic years of the dual degree program enroll in the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) and fulfill their two years of field education requirements.

MSW/VMD students will enter clinics in the summer after their second year and continue their clinical training in the summer between their third and fourth years.

Students will return full time to Penn Vet in the fifth year, directly after completing their MSW Program. They will complete their clinical training in the summer after their fifth year, officially graduating in December. While the below course of study provides a general idea, the dynamic nature of this dual degree requires very close planning with the program directors.

Course of Study

YearFallSpringSummer
1 (Penn Vet)Vet first-year curriculum Vet first-year curriculumVet related experiences
SWRK 6030 (MSW1)
2 (Penn Vet)Vet 2nd second-year curriculum, including:
• VETX: (MSW2: could fulfill MSW Elective #1)
• VETX: (MSW3: policy course that could fulfill an MSW Policy Option)
Vet second-year curriculum, including:
• VETX: Biostats (MSW4: could fulfill an MSW Research Option)
• VETX: (MSW5: could fulfill MSW Elective #2)
Vet clinical rotations
3 (SP2)MSW 1st first-year curriculum:
• SWRK 6010 (MSW6)
• SWRK 6020 (MSW7)
• SWRK 6030 (if needed)
• SWRK 6040 + Field Placement (MSW8)
MSW 1st year curriculum:
• SWRK 6140 + Field Placement (MSW9)
• SWRK 6150 (MSW10)
• SWRK 7xxx: Elective #3 (MSW11)
• SWRK 7xxx: Elective #4 (MSW12)
Vet clinical rotations
4 (SP2)MSW 2nd second-year curriculum:
• SWRK 7040/80 + Field Placement at animal-focused or health care-focused site (MSW13)
• SWRK 7xxx: Elective #5 (MSW14, could fulfill a VET elective)
MSW 2nd second-year curriculum:
• SWRK 7140/80 + Field Placement at animal-focused or health care-focused site (MSW15)
• SWRK 7130 (MSW 16)
Vet clinical rotations
5 (Penn Vet)Vet clinical rotations and electivesVet clinical rotations and electivesVet clinical rotations and electives, if necessary

Field Placement

MSW/VMD dual-degree students will complete their advanced year field placement at an agency whose scope includes social work with animals or a human health care institution.

This field placement will fulfill at least two Vet clinical elective rotations. Students will work closely with the Field Education Office on their field placement.

Application Information

Veterinary students may apply to the MSW program prior to entering Penn Vet or during the fall of their first or second years. Ideal applicants will have a strong understanding of the social work profession, a stellar academic record, and a well-articulated intention of integrating social work with their professional careers.

Contact Us

Mai Le, JD, MSW

Administrative Director, MSW Program

215 746 4031

mtle@upenn.edu

Vet Admissions Office

215 898 5434

admissions@vet.upenn.edu