Intensive Applied Learning
Complete 360-hour Foundation Practicum, followed by a 600-hour Concentration Practicum at one of our 400+ partner organizations.
Dual Degree Master of Social Work
Multiply your expertise to drive innovation and impact
Degree Options
Dual Degree Master of Social Work
At a Glance
Format: In-Person
Duration: Varies by program (typically 3 to 4 years)
Best fit: Students seeking to combine social work with another graduate field for cross-disciplinary impact.
A dual-degree MSW option offers students the chance to pair their Brown School MSW with a degree from another top-ranked school at WashU, as well as Eden Theological Seminary. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to collaborate across diverse social challenges, fostering solutions that reach beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Through practicum study, students gain hands-on experience in the community while receiving full tuition funding for required practicum credits as well as a monthly living stipend.
Dual MSW degrees are available in fields including law, public health, business, divinity, and architecture. Our graduates join a global network of alumni who are actively influencing policy, leading organizations, and advancing social justice worldwide.
WashU Brown School By the Numbers
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MSW Dual Degree Options
MSW/Master of Arch Degree
Students from this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Architecture from the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.
The Master of Architecture program is typically three years (MArch 3), although students with a background in architecture may be admitted to the MArch 2 programs. Required credit hours for the MArch dual-degree programs vary accordingly, ranging from 144 to 99 credit hours.
The major goal of the program is to educate and prepare professional architects with social work knowledge, values, and skills. The program links physical design with social dimensions of planning and spatial design. Architecture courses such as urban planning, decision theory and design methods, and social and behavioral factors in planning and design may be applied toward the social work degree.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MArch program through the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Current Washington University graduate students currently enrolled in the MArch program who wish to add the MSW should apply through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and are eligible for an application fee waiver when they submit their application.
MSW/Master of Business Administration
This dual degree program awards a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Olin Business School. The three-year, 100 credit curriculum equips students with 21st-century leadership skills essential for building lasting impact through the intersection of business acumen and commitment to social welfare.
The MSW program prepares students to analyze effective outcomes, adapt to context, and lead implementation that makes a difference across processes, organizations, and systems. The MSW degree connects theory with policy and practice, provides hands-on practicum experiences, and positions students to solve social problems in creative, fundable, and sustainable ways.
Olin Business School’s MBA program includes a full academic year of on-campus experiential learning that prepares future business leaders for purposeful action. Students solve complex problems and develop principled management skills alongside the world’s best and brightest business minds. Graduates are equipped with mastery in the fundamentals of business along with vital interpersonal skills, and a values-first perspective.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MBA program through the Olin Business School. Current WashU graduate students currently enrolled in the MBA program who wish to add the MSW should apply through the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and are eligible for an application fee waiver when they submit their application.
MSW/Master of Divinity
Students in this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary. The program of study requires 114 credit hours, typically taken over four years.
The goal of the program is to prepare students with combined skills and values in both social work and leadership in faith-based organizations. The areas for which this dual degree knowledge is most appropriate are leadership and development of sponsored social services, therapeutic and counseling services with concern about spiritual care, development of life cycle, and family issues in the context of community. Students will seek practice in faith-based organizations and in policy implications with a call for justice.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MDiv program through the Eden Theological Seminary.
MSW/Juris Doctor
Students in this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University School of Law. The four-year curriculum comprises 125 credit hours, and prepares for advanced interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of law and social work. Areas of focus include community development, housing and rehabilitation, mental health, criminal and juvenile justice administration, family mediation, and legal aid to underserved populations and communities.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the JD program through the School of Law. Current WashU graduate students enrolled in the JD program who wish to add the MSW should apply through the WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and are eligible for an application fee waiver when they submit their application.
MSW/Master of Arts in Professional Studies
Students in this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Arts in Professional Studies degree from Eden Theological Seminary. The program of study requires 90 credit hours, typically taken over three years.
The basic goal of the social work and professional studies dual degree is to prepare students with the combined skills and values in both social work and leadership ministry. The areas for which the dual degree knowledge is most appropriate are in youth ministry, church administration, pastoral care, social justice ministry, health care, lay ministry, therapeutic and counseling services in religious-based settings.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MAPS program through the Eden Theological Seminary.
MSW/Master of Public Health
Students from this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Public Health degree from WashU’s School of Public Health. The program of study requires 86 credit hours, taken over three years.
The Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health dual degree integrates public health, social justice and policy to address this complex relationship on local, state, national, and international scales. MSW/MPH graduates are uniquely equipped to work at the intersection of social and environmental risk, and transform the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MPH program through SOPHAS, the centralized public health application service. Current WashU graduate students currently enrolled in the MPH program who wish to add the MSW should apply through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and are eligible for an application fee waiver when they submit their application.
MSW/Master of Urban Design Degree
Students from this program earn a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School and a Master of Urban Design degree from the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.. The Master of Urban Design is a degree program for individuals who hold professional or pre-professional degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, or planning. The MSW/MUD dual degree program requires 78 credit hours.
Graduates of these dual degree programs are prepared for work in urban planning, housing redevelopment, teaching, and community and enterprise development.
Application Information
New students applying to this dual-degree program must apply to the MSW program through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and also submit a separate application for the MUD program through the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Current WashU graduate students enrolled in the MUD program who wish to add the MSW should apply through WashU Graduate Admissions Portal and are eligible for an application fee waiver when they submit their application.
Practicum Support Award
Every MSW student receives financial support for required practicum credits, including tuition coverage and a living stipend.
Practicum: Real-World Experience, Expertly Guided
Your practicum is the bridge between theory and practice, designed to build your leadership, clinical skills, and professional network.
Self-Directed Selection
You curate your path. With support from expert field advisors and our Foundations of Field course, you choose a site that matches your specific interests and goals.
Unrivaled Support
From local placements to global opportunities, our Office of Practicum Education provides the guidance you need to navigate the selection process and maximize your impact.
Integrated Research
Opportunities exist to fold research and evaluation projects into your placement, allowing you to use your site as a hub for advanced academic inquiry.
Three Advisors, One Dedicated Team
Our 3:1 advising model pairs every student with three distinct mentors to ensure complete support across academic, professional, and practical areas.
Academic Advisors
Navigate degree requirements and keep your timeline on track.
Faculty Advisors
Shape your course of study around your specific professional interests.
Practicum Faculty Advisors
Support your growth and assess your performance in the field.
