For students passionate about serving their communities, pursuing a master’s degree can feel like a long and expensive journey. But what if they could earn two graduate degrees without doubling the time, tuition and effort?
An online dual master’s program in public administration and social work offers students the opportunity to combine two complementary fields into one streamlined, flexible path. By sharing coursework and completing the program online, students can save valuable time and money while earning both degrees.
This innovative pathway allows students to advance their education without putting their careers or other responsibilities on hold, all while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to create meaningful changes in communities and organizations, as well as in the lives of the people they serve.
Sara Rinfret, professor and director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the Department of Politics and International Affairs, and Natalie Randolph, associate clinical professor and associate director in the School of Social Work, collaborated for four years to make this program a reality.
“This fall we will be finally launching the first-ever joint master’s degree at NAU, bringing together folks who really care about public service and might want to specialize and amplify in terms of social services,” Rinfret said.
The hope is the new program will help prepare students for current workforce demands. Randolph said more people need to be prepared for leadership roles across different macro-level settings in the community, especially in rural areas.
“The challenge is finding qualified people to take on leadership roles to address issues that impact marginalized populations, while challenging social justice issues and the loss of funding,” Randolph said. “This dual degree program will help train the next generation of leaders who will positively impact their communities by preparing students to take on the unique challenges in their communities and create sustainable change.”
The program focuses on offering dual degrees that will be in high demand in the workforce. Rinfret said government entities are looking for people with master of social work (MSW) and MPA degrees, and that these jobs are expected to increase by 20% in the next decade.
“Just in the last year, enrollment of both the public administration and social work programs have seen continued growth,” Rinfret said. “By joining forces, students will have a leg up when they apply for jobs. We think the dual skill set students will acquire in this program will give them the tools they need in human resource management, policy analysis and organizational leadership, with the social work component to work for a nonprofit organization or a government entity. We have merged our curriculum so students can complete both degrees in three to four years, saving time and money.”
Randolph said the online platform will not only provide more accessibility but will also serve as a vital link to rural communities by equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead initiatives that address the unmet needs of their communities.
Students interested need to apply to the programs separately. Once they are accepted, the program administrators will make sure they meet the necessary requirements for the dual degree program. Because both programs are fully accredited, one by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration and the other by the Council of Social Work Education Network, applications will be received during the spring for students to start the dual program in the fall.
“Combining the fields of public administration and social work into an interdisciplinary degree fosters an expansion of knowledge, theory and practice which will ultimately result in advances that will serve individuals, communities and our society,” said Regent Steve Peru of the Arizona Board of Regents and former Coconino County community manager.
For more information on the dual MPA and MSW degree, email Sara Rinfret or Natalie Randolph.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu