Social Work - Holistic Health Studies
Dual Degree Program: Master of Social Work/Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies
The Master of Social Work/Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies program is a collaborative dual degree program in social work and holistic health studies. The intersectionality of these two programs mirrors the intersectionality of health, showing that everyone, regardless of race, culture, age, economic status, sexaulity, or gender deserves the opportunity to thrive and live a healthy life. Keeping with the social justice mission of St. Catherine University, these two programs propel social justice outside of the classroom into the community through engaging assignments, research, and practicums. Each program provides students with the unique skills and competencies from the fields of Holistic Health and Social Work to empathetically work with diverse populations, honor cultural backgrounds, and communicate effectively with those in need.
Graduate Outcome and Competences
Expected outcomes and competencies for the MSW/MAHS dual degree program are consistent with the outcomes and competencies required for all students who complete the MSW and the MAHS programs separately. Research sequences are offered through both programs.
The dual degree program requires that students meet the disciplinary requirement for both the MSW and MAHS programs.
Program Progression
Students enroll in the dual degree program from a variety of undergraduate degrees and disciplines. How students progress in the program depends on whether they have an undergraduate degree in social work (advanced standing) or not (regular standing):
- Advanced standing students will find the dual degree path to be a rewarding graduate-level addition to their foundational knowledge of social work. Advanced standing students need to complete 63 total credits in order to complete the dual degree.
- Regular standing students can have a bachelor’s degree in any field, as long as the prerequisite classes are completed before beginning graduate courses. Regular standing students need to complete 78 total credits.
Students have the option to start in the dual degree program during their initial enrollment at St. Catherine University, or begin in one program and be admitted to the dual degree program after the first semester of enrollment in either program. Once accepted, students will receive advising from the program directors of each program in a collaborative process to ensure proper sequencing of courses and management of appropriate course load.
The dual degree program requires that students meet the disciplinary requirement for both the MSW and MAHS programs, with a completion of the dual degree program within seven years of starting.
Career Possibilities
Students will refine their calling to expand possibilities for health and healing with diverse populations in a wide variety of professional settings.
The St. Catherine alumni community is a well respected and well connected group of motivated, passionate, and soulful people. Alumni of the dual-degree program can be found working both in the greater twin cities area, the west coast, and the east coast. The unique qualities of the MSW/MAHS dual-degree program prepare students to thrive in settings such as mental health support, medical institutions, and educational settings. Some examples of alumni careers are: holistic health practitioner/educator, equity and inclusion advocate, therapist, clinical social worker for psychiatric emergency services, assistant director of counseling services, and mental health practitioner.
Curriculum
The curriculum listed below demonstrates how a student would complete the MSW/MAHS dual degree program by completing the MSW research sequence. The curriculum that utilizes the MAHS research sequence can be found in the Holistic Health Studies: MAHS/MSW section of this catalog.
Advanced Standing MSW/MAHS with MSW Research Sequence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required MAHS Courses | ||
| HHS 6700 | Foundations of Holistic Health and Wellness | 2 |
| HHS 6720 | Complementary/Alternative Approaches to Healthcare | 2 |
| HHS 6730 | Culture as a Resource in Health and Healing | 2 |
| HHS 6740 | Spiritual Wellness | 2 |
| HHS 6760 | Ecology and Health | 2 |
| HHS 6820 | Movement, Relaxation and Health | 2 |
| HHS 7500 | Core Concepts in Mind/Body Interactions | 2 |
| HHS 7520 | Women and Holistic Health | 2 |
| HHS 7710 | Alternative Approaches to Nutrition | 2 |
| HHS 8920 | Practicum and Integrative Seminar | 2 |
| Additional MAHS electives | 9 | |
| Required MSW Courses | ||
| GRSW 5000 | History and Philosophy of Social Work | 3 |
| GRSW 6030 | Methods of Clinical Social Work I | 3 |
| GRSW 6040 | Methods of Clinical Social Work II | 3 |
| GRSW 6070 | Field Practicum and Seminar III | 4 |
| GRSW 6080 | Field Practicum and Seminar IV | 4 |
| GRSW 6250 | Social Policy and Advocacy Practice | 3 |
| GRSW 6450 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| GRSW 6500 | Clinical Supervision and Program Management | 3 |
| GRSW 6810 | Social Work Practice Research | 3 |
| GRSW 6952 Independent Study or HHS 8980 (HHS 8980 by special approval) | 2 | |
| GRSW Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 63 | |
Regular Standing MSW/MAHS with MSW Research Sequence
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required MAHS Courses | ||
| HHS 6700 | Foundations of Holistic Health and Wellness | 2 |
| HHS 6720 | Complementary/Alternative Approaches to Healthcare | 2 |
| HHS 6730 | Culture as a Resource in Health and Healing | 2 |
| HHS 6740 | Spiritual Wellness | 2 |
| HHS 6760 | Ecology and Health | 2 |
| HHS 6820 | Movement, Relaxation and Health | 2 |
| HHS 7500 | Core Concepts in Mind/Body Interactions | 2 |
| HHS 7520 | Women and Holistic Health | 2 |
| HHS 7710 | Alternative Approaches to Nutrition | 2 |
| HHS 8920 | Practicum and Integrative Seminar | 2 |
| Additional MAHS electives | 8 | |
| Required MSW Courses | ||
| GRSW 5000 | History and Philosophy of Social Work | 3 |
| GRSW 5010 | Theory and Practice of Social Work I | 3 |
| GRSW 5020 | Theory and Practice of Social Work II | 3 |
| GRSW 5050 | Field Practicum and Seminar I | 3 |
| GRSW 5060 | Field Practicum and Seminar II | 3 |
| GRSW 5400 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment | 3 |
| GRSW 5800 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| GRSW 6030 | Methods of Clinical Social Work I | 3 |
| GRSW 6040 | Methods of Clinical Social Work II | 3 |
| GRSW 6070 | Field Practicum and Seminar III | 4 |
| GRSW 6080 | Field Practicum and Seminar IV | 4 |
| GRSW 6250 | Social Policy and Advocacy Practice | 3 |
| GRSW 6450 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| GRSW 6500 | Clinical Supervision and Program Management | 3 |
| GRSW 6810 | Social Work Practice Research | 3 |
| GRSW Clinical | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 78 | |