Job Search Strategies for MSW/MPH Graduates from the UGA Career Center

Kelley Saussy and Brittany Kinard from The University of Georgia Career Center prepared a presentation discussing job search strategies that is specifically tailored to MSW/MPH students.

Check it out at: 
http://prezi.com/ku7zllk6yuhh/mswmph-job-search-strategies-for-success/?html5=0

UGA dual MSW/MPH degree adds community empowerment, program development focus

The Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health dual degree program recently added a new area of concentration. Beginning in fall 2014, students in the program may focus on Community Empowerment and Program Development (CEPD) within the MSW degree.  The option broadens the choices available to students, who until now have been limited to just the MSW concentration of Clinical Practice, which prepares students to address the problems of individuals within social networks such as families.  The MPH continues to be in the Health Promotion and Behavior concentration, which prepares students to develop health promotion programs on a large scale.

“Students have been asking for this option because many of them have a more community-focused interest area,” said Trina Salm Ward, program coordinator.

The CEPD concentration focuses on how to create effective community organizations or initiatives to address social problems that impact health. Students will learn how to create supportive environments and initiate action within a community by developing or strengthening local groups or promoting changes in legislation. The CEPD concentration has always been available to MSW students but not to students in the dual degree program.

“The process of developing this option was intensive,” said Salm Ward. Faculty and staff in both the School of Social Work and the College of Public Health conducted a careful review of the courses to determine any overlap or program issues.  The proposed change was then vetted by curriculum committees in both units before being submitted to the Graduate School, which approved the new concentration in June.

“The effort put forth by faculty and staff to expand the program demonstrates the strong commitment by both units to building this interdisciplinary program,” said Salm Ward. “With the CEPD concentration, students will graduate with strong skills in engaging the community in health promotion and prevention activities.”

Learn more about the MSW/MPH program.

Alumni Update - Rebecca Dallas, MSW/MPH, LMSW

Dallas (Dec '13).

Congratulations to Rebecca Dallas (Dec '13), who in June became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) through the Association of Social Work Boards!  Social workers in Georgia must receive approval from the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists to sit for the ASWB licensure exam.

Per ASWB, "the purpose of licensing and certification in social work is to assist the public through identification of standards for the safe professional practice of social work." To sit for the exam in Georgia, individuals must have graduated with a master's degree in social work from a graduate school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and present two references who are familiar with their social work experience.

After graduation, Ms. Dallas took a position as Child and Family Therapist at Pathways Transition Programs, Inc.   Of the position, Ms. Dallas notes, "I love my job - its not what I imagined myself doing as my first job after graduation, but I really love it.  I work a lot with children and adolescents, and as one of the newest employees, I am working with amazing and talented people and have learned so much already!"

About her MSW/MPH degree, Ms. Dallas says "I would not trade my dual degree for anything.  I incorporate all of my public health knowledge into my social work practice.  I have a great understanding from both fields of the immense risks to vulnerable populations, both for their physical and mental health.  I look forward to where my dual degree will take me in the future."

Congratulations on these awesome achievements, Becca!

Visit Ms. Dallas' LinkedIn profile.