Social Work and Kinesiology Dual Degree (M.S./M.S.W.)

Social Work and Kinesiology Dual Degree (M.S./M.S.W.)

UNH adventure therapy students hiking in the woods

UNH’s dual degree in social work and kinesiology: outdoor education is one of the nation’s leading programs training mental health professionals to work in the expanding field of adventure therapy. This program unites the clinical training of UNH’s top-ranked social work degree and its pioneering outdoor education program. Graduates of the dual degree pursue successful, satisfying careers that bring counseling skills into challenging wilderness experiences for a therapeutic intervention that’s highly effective in promoting wellness and mental health, particularly among adolescents.

WHY GET YOUR DUAL MASTER’S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK AND KINESIOLOGY?

By getting the dual degree of an M.S.W. in social work and an M.S. in kinesiology with a concentration in outdoor education, you’ll be uniquely prepared to work in the expanding field of adventure therapy. One of the nation’s leading programs for mental health professionals, this graduate program unites the clinical training of UNH’s top-ranked social work degree and its pioneering outdoor education program. Graduates of the dual degree pursue successful, satisfying careers that bring counseling skills into challenging wilderness experiences for a therapeutic intervention that’s highly effective in promoting wellness and mental health, particularly among adolescents.

WHY STUDY SOCIAL WORK AND KINESIOLOGY AT UNH?

UNH’s social work and kinesiology graduate faculty are recognized leaders in their fields. The program emphasizes both classroom learning and hands-on learning in the lab and in the evidenced-based practices of the field. You will graduate prepared with the leadership skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workplace and emerge as a leader in your chosen area. Dual-degree social work and kinesiology students take classes simultaneously over the course of two and a half years in social work, kinesiology and outdoor education, including two internships, one of which concentrates on the utilization and application of adventure therapy in an agency setting. 

POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS

  • Adventure therapy
  • Community centers
  • Juvenile criminal justice
  • Nonprofits
  • Outdoor programs
  • Public policy
  • Schools
  • Social work
  • Youth programs

Contact

Michael Gass

Director, Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Center, UNH
PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 862-2024
Office: Kinesiology, New Hampshire Hall Rm 101, Durham, NH 03824
Department of Social Work
Pettee Hall, 55 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-1799
Email: unh.socialwork@unh.edu

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Curriculum & Requirements

Social Work and Kinesiology

Dual-degree Social Work and Kinesiology students take classes simultaneously over the course of two-and-and-half years in both Social Work and Kinesiology: Outdoor Education and complete a minimum of 78 credits for graduation. This includes two internships, one during their first year of study, and a second specialized block placement internship over the summer following the second year of study, which concentrates on the utilization and application of adventure therapy in an agency setting. This block placement internship may occur in New England or in other appropriate settings across the U.S.  Students should be prepared to travel to their internships if needed.  Students are also required to complete a teaching practicum supporting faculty teaching in the outdoor education program as well as an advanced studies project during their last year of study, which is supervised by faculty in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education and Social Work

Admission Requirements

Dual degree applicants in Social Work and Kinesiology: Outdoor Education must meet the requirements for both Social Work and Kinesiology: Outdoor Education.  Applicants should check each program for their requirements which may be different; however, it is important to note that dual degree students are required for admission to have a minimum of 2 years of experience (post undergraduate) in the field of outdoor education with evidence of considerable leadership time with groups in outdoor settings, preferably with therapeutic populations.  Applicants do not need to apply separately to each program but are instructed to apply online via the graduate school for the “Social Work: Dual Degree MSW and MS Kinesiology” option.  Applicants only need to provide one well-constructed double-spaced essay of 4-5 pages. Please respond to the questions below: (1) How did you become interested in pursuing a dual degree in Social Work and Kinesiology: outdoor education? (2) What personal, academic, organizational, volunteer and/or paid work experiences have influenced your choice of social work combined with outdoor education as a profession? (3) Briefly discuss a current social issue of great concern or interest to you. (4) Describe some intellectual and personal attributes that you believe make you particularly suited for the profession of social work combined with outdoor education. No GREs required for admission.

Dual degree applications are due by February 1st.

For additional information regarding the Social Work/KIN dual degree admission requirements, contact Anita Tucker or Michael Gass.

Social Work and Kinesiology Dual Degree Program MSW/MS Courses

SW 820Social Welfare Policy I3
SW 830Social Work Practice I3
SW 831Social Work Practice II: Practice in Small Groups and Community Organizations3
SW 840Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice3
SW 850Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (HBSE I)3
SW 851Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (HBSE II)3
SW 865Adventure Therapy: Facilitation and Processing of the Experience3
SW 880Field Internship I (seminar and concurrent two­day/week internship/academic year)3
SW 881Field Internship II3
KIN 882Therapeutic Applications of Adventure Programming4
KIN 883Psych Factors of Adventure Ed4
KIN 884Historical Foundations of Outdoor Experiential Education4
KIN 885Program Models and Evaluation in Outdoor Education4
KIN 886Organization and Administration of Outdoor Education Programs4
KIN 897Advanced Topics in Outdoor Education6
SW 926Social Welfare Policy II3
SW 930Advanced General Practice III: Clinical Assessment and Intervention3
SW 931Advanced Generalist Practice IV: Community and Administrative Practice3
SW 952Human Behavior and the Social Environment III3
SW 962Data Analysis and Statistics3
SW 982Field Internship III4
SW 983Field Internship IV4
KIN 993Teaching Practicum2
Total Credits78

Social Work (M.S.W) Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Student demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
  • Student engages diversity and difference in practice.
  • Student advances human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
  • Engage in practice informed research and research-informed practice.
  • Engages in policy practice.
  • Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Intervenes with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Evaluates practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Kinesiology (M.S.) Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrates mastery of major theories, approaches, concepts, and both current and classical theoretical findings within their selected field of study.
  • Compiles and critiques current peer-reviewed research, practice of industry standards, and theoretical foundations to produce a paper or project of publishable quality that enhances existing knowledge or creates new knowledge in a specific area within the option.
  • Demonstrates proficiency and mastery of specific skills within the profession, which is grounded in evidence-based practice.
  • Displays professionally appropriate behaviors, ethical standards, sensitivity, compassion, tolerance of individual differences, and demonstrates the ability to work in a diverse and interprofessional work environment.

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: Feb. 1
  • Spring: N/A
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: ME MA RI CT VT

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

At least one letter must attest to observed skills in an employment setting that would be indicative of success in the social work and outdoor education field.

In addition, if applying to the Exercise Science option, at least two of the letters must come from professors that you took classes from at your undergraduate institution.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Social Work & Kinesiology: Outdoor Education Dual Degree Personal Statement:

Applicants must provide one well-constructed double-spaced essay of 4-5 pages. Please respond to the questions below: 1) How did you become interested in pursuing a dual degree in social work and kinesiology: outdoor education? 2) What personal, academic, organizational, volunteer and/or paid work experiences have influenced your choice of social work combined with outdoor education as a profession? 3) Briefly discuss a current social issue of great concern or interest to you. 4) Describe some intellectual and personal attributes that you believe make you particularly suited for the profession of social work combined with outdoor education.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

Additional Department Requirements

Two years of full-time experience in the field is strongly recommended. Graduation from an accredited undergraduate institution with a broad liberal arts background is required.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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