What It Means to Be a Dual Profession - Guest post by Amanda White (Dec '21)

Amanda White, MSW/MPH Candidate Dec '21

I started off solely as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed MSW candidate eager for more. I inquired about the MPH program prior to admission to the MSW program, but I thought it'd be too late to apply. Lo and behold, the opportunity presented itself again after the semester started. I guess it was meant to be. How could I not take the chance? I was filled with joy. I wanted to expand my mind, my knowledge; I wanted to pair my social work skills with other disciplines. With past experienced doing medical social work and loving it, I thought obtaining a dual MSW/MPH degree would not only set me apart from others, but it would provide me with a variety of job opportunities. To be a dual professional, I figure I'd need to have multiple perspectives from different backgrounds. The dual MSW/MPH program here at the University of Georgia is preparing me for just that.

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics (2017) values service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values are set to be the foundation of social work's unique purpose and perspective. While the majority of my MSW course work focuses on these values, they enable me to work with individuals through a special type of lens. I am equipped with compassion, cultural competence, and more to address social problems with any oppressed and vulnerable group.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) Code of Ethics (2019) values professionalism and trust, health and safety, health justice and equity, interdependence and solidarity, human rights and civil liberties, and inclusivity and engagement. Though these values differ a bit from the NASW Code of Ethics, they play on one another. The APHA set of standards aids me in creating resources and implementing programs through a health promotion lens for oppressed and vulnerable populations.

In comparison, social work and public health are linked together with a common goal of addressing social determinants of health, promoting population health, and advancing social justice (Bachman, 2017). The two, when combined, can support both professions in working toward ways to better understand an individual's health as a community. While public health focuses on prevention, social work is geared toward intervention; together, they can ensure that people are receiving the necessary resources and healthcare services that they need.

As I am still learning and growing, the two degrees are preparing me to bring two distinctive disciplines together as one. Using compassion from a social work perspective and technical skills from a public health standpoint, combined, they can make a major impact. I will maintain my commitment to learning as I continue to strengthen my skills in both arenas. Pursuing a dual degree may not be easy, but it sure is worth it and beneficial. Another useful tool in my toolbox!

-Amanda White, MSW/MPH Candidate, December 2021

Amanda is currently interning at WellStar Cobb Hospital.  

View Amanda's LinkedIn profile.

References
American Public Health Association. (2019). APHA Code of ethics. Retrieved May 3rd 2020, from https://www.apha.org/-/media/files/pdf/membergroups/ethics/code_of_ethics.ashx?la=en&hash=3D6643946AE1DF9EF05334E7DF6AF89471FA14EC
Bachman, S. S. (2017). Social Work and Public Health: Charting the Course for
Innovation. American Journal of Public Health, 107, S220. https://doi-org.proxy-remote.galib.uga.edu/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304209
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW code of ethics. Retrieved May 3rd, 2020,
from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English