New MSSW/MPH Degree Launching Spring 2025 in Partnership with UTRGV

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health is introducing a new Master of Social Work/ Master of Public Health (MSSW/MPH) dual degree program in collaboration with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The MSSW/MPH program is offered in varying modalities, including online and/or in-person launching in Spring 2025. 

The program is designed as a 2–3-year course of study for full-time students and allows graduate students to specialize in two diverse fields to prepare students for the complex social and health issues of tomorrow. 

“Social work and public health both seek to empower people, address root causes, and search for solutions with communities. This combined MSSW/MPH is essential for addressing the complexities of health outcomes in the Rio Grande Valley and other communities across Texas and the nation,” said associate dean of academic affairs at UTRGV Leticia Villarreal Sosa, PhD, LCSW, PEL SSW. 

UTRGV is the only institution south of San Antonio that offers a bachelor's and master's degree in social work. As an accredited program by the Council on Social Work Education, UTRGV trains the next wave of leaders to specialize in social work practices, promote well-being, and aid others in various health services.  

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, ranked a Top 25 Best Public Health School by U.S. News, offers master's and doctoral degrees where students study and learn to face the complex health challenges in the field. Graduates learn the skillsets needed to prevent health problems before they become critical and obtain hands-on learning and professional experiences necessary to build healthier communities.  

The MSSW/MPH is trained to complement both disciplines that combine social work's focus on individual and community well-being with public health's emphasis on population health and prevention. “The dual degree program addresses sector needs by integrating both fields' overlapping standards and practices, such as advocacy, education, stakeholder collaboration, and intervention planning,” said Robert Hammarberg, DrPH, MPA, faculty associate. Through the coursework individuals gain the necessary skills to lead towards impactful careers in the field. 

Prospective students interested in learning more about the MSSW/MPH through UTRGV and UTHealth Houston School of Public Health can contact the admissions team at [email protected] or 713-500-9032. 

UTRGV’s participation in the program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges