The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39181

Betty J Ruth, MSW, MPH, Scott Miyake Geron, PhD, and Emily Chiasson, MSW, MPH. Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215

Dual-degree programs in public health and social work have proliferated over the past twenty years, yet few have undergone evaluation to determine the effects on a social worker's career. While both professions continue to make important contributions to finding solutions to complex global and domestic social-health problems, questions remain about the best ways to educate and support social workers in obtaining public health training.

This session will present findings from a survey comparing MSW/MPH dual-degree program alumni with MSW alumni from a longstanding program.

A sample of 60 graduates was interviewed by telephone during 1999-2000. Thirty randomly drawn graduates from the MSW/MPH program were matched with graduates from the MSW program on the following criteria: gender, major, age and year of graduation.

The primary research questions were: How did the salaries of the groups compare, and what was the financial advantage of obtaining the additional degree? What types of differences were evident in the career trajectories of the two groups? Did social workers with public health degrees continue to "identify" with social work over time? How satisfied were graduates with their choices?

A full exploration of the data will be presented including characteristics of current job settings, professional integration issues and other differences. Implications for social work and public health education will be analyzed, along with a discussion of the necessary components of a successful MSW/MPH program.

Learning Objectives:

• By attending the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to analyze and discuss the results of an evaluation of a longterm MSW/MPH program and the effect of the MPH on a social worker's career.
• The participants will be able to define and articulate the components of a successful MSW/MPH program and the rationale for constructing and providing public health training to social work graduate students.
• Participants will have the opportunity to describe and assess the implications of dual-degree training in public health and social work for both fields and the institutions that sponsor these endeavors. Special attention will be paid to evaluating the issues that pertain to professional identity and the impact of the integration of both fields of practice in the 21st century.

Keywords: Public Health Education, Social Work

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston University School of Social Work
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Author is full time student at the Boston University School of Public Health and completed her MSW in May 2001 from the Boston University School of Social Work