Master of Social Work (MSW) vs Master of Public Health (MPH)
As a social worker, you may reach a point in your career where you are ready to step into a position of leadership and take on more responsibilities. You may hit a crossroads where you are unsure which type of master’s degree will best advance your professional goals. A Master of Social Work (MSW) may prepare you to work directly with vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, families, and groups and/or state-recognized licensure. A Master of Public Health (MPH) may prepare you for macro-level work with communities – making large-scale changes that focus on the prevention and alleviation of widespread issues. Both degrees may help students advance careers that make a difference in others' lives.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
An MSW accelerates your career course, opening up opportunities for leadership, greater responsibility, and a broader scope of work, while still focusing on the individual, family, and group level. According to the Council for Social Work Education, clinical social work typically requires an MSW plus supervised post-MSW experience and passing an exam. According to the National Association of Social Workers, private clinical practice typically requires clinical licensure (LCSW/LICSW or equivalent), which typically requires an MSW, supervised clinical hours, and an exam. Most states also require clinical social workers to be licensed.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
MSW Concentrations:
- Clinical Social Work: For clinical licenses as a social worker, you may be required to pursue a clinical social work program. There are online LCSW programs available to consider.
- Mental Health: Train to support and offer services to those suffering from mental health disorders or substance abuse issues, and advocate for some of the most vulnerable and misunderstood individuals in our society. According to the CDC, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States.
- Families and Children: Learn to prevent family crises through counseling, resource coordination, advocacy and support.
- Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA): Develop the skills necessary for becoming a community leader who can bring people together to advocate for a common cause.
- Health: Learn to help individuals in the healthcare system meet their financial, emotional and social needs by connecting them with services that can help them get better and stay better.
- Social Work and Business in a Global Society: Corporate social workers help businesses solve social problems and create best practices in terms of diversity, healthy work-life balance and corporate social responsibility
MSW Careers:
- Medical/Public Health
- Substance Abuse
- Mental Health
- Child Welfare
- School Social Work
Master of Public Health (MPH)
An MPH could help prepare you to understand the intersection of social, behavioral, economic, biological, environmental and political factors that affect public health. Earning a graduate degree in public health may also assist in gaining employment within government agencies, nonprofits and public health agencies.
MPH Concentrations:
- Biostatistics: Learn to study risk factors for disease and assess the efficacy and outcomes of new therapies. These studies can affect policy and public health.
- Environmental Health: Gain the skills to address environmental challenges that affect public health.
- Epidemiology: Train in the principles and methodology of epidemiological research in order to design, run, analyze and interpret studies.
- Global Health: Learn the interconnection of economics, policy analysis, financial management and infectious disease and how to study and improve health internationally.
- Health Law, Bioethics and Human Rights: Prepare for the legal facets of public health and for a career in law, advocacy, academia or public policy.
- Health Policy and Management: Learn to develop creative solutions to challenges in the healthcare system, including health policy, financial analysis and delivery of care.
- Maternal and Child Health: Focus on the unique needs of women, children and families in a sociopolitical context.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences: Identify and analyze determinants and risk factors associated with public health problems and learn how to use this knowledge to promote healthy behavior in communities.
MPH Careers:
- Epidemiologist
- Disaster and Emergency Specialist
- Water Quality Planner
- Public Health Educator
- Environmental Health Scientist
- Biostatistician
- Infectious Disease Specialist
- Nutritionist
- International Health Care Worker
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Nonprofit Executive Director
Master’s degrees in social work and in public health may both prepare you for a career in improving the lives of others and creating positive change, but the areas of focus are different. Those who pursue an online MSW program may prefer work with individuals, families and/or groups while connecting them with services. MPH graduates may prefer to effect policy change at the community or international level. Both are worthy pursuits, and choosing your path depends on which careers most interest you and where you feel you can be the most effective.
Information last updated: January 2026