VMD | Master Social Work
Veterinarians can further develop their ability to manage the emotional responses that arise in human-animal relations by combining a VMD with a Master of Social Work. The skills developed by graduates of the VMD | MSW program can help them facilitate difficult and involved conversations, and console and inform upset clients.
A veterinarian social worker has unique perspectives and insights into the strains placed on their colleagues. This perspective can then inform the development of meaningful therapeutic programs and policy planning.
Why Combine a VMD With a Master in Social Work?
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | Master of Social Work (VMD | MSW) program is a dual-degree opportunity offered in conjunction with Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2). This program allows students to earn both degrees in five and a half years.
In addition to learning outcomes associated with each individual degree program VMD/MSW dual degree students learn the expertise to:
- Recognize and articulate needs that can be addressed by a veterinarian with social work training — including needs of clients, as well as needs and wellness of veterinarians and other members of the veterinary profession.
- Organize and assess responses to needs that are appropriate to the expertise developed in the program.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate across disciplines and engage in inter-professional practice and action
Curriculum and Program Structure
Through cross-counted electives and field placements that also fulfill veterinary school clinical electives, students will be prepared to understand the symbiotic relationships between humans, their pets, and livestock. A total of up to eight courses can be cross-counted between the two degrees, and the advanced year of MSW field placement will fulfill at least two clinical elective requirements for the VMD degree. This integration enables students to complete both degrees in five years, plus one additional summer.
- In the first two academic years of the dual degree, students will be enrolled as Penn Vet students. Four of their core experiences can fulfill MSW requirements and electives, and students have the option to complete one MSW requirement over the summer.
- In the third and fourth academic years, students will be enrolled in Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice and will fulfill all their field education requirements in full. Their advanced field placements will be in animal- or health care-focused sites.
- VMD | MSW students will begin clinical training in the summer after their second year and continue that training in the summer between their third and fourth years.
Finally, students will return full time to the veterinary school in the fifth year, after completing their MSW program. They will finalize their clinical training in the summer after their fifth year, officially graduating in December.
Course Grid
You can review an example of a course of study below. Please note that specific course listings and requirements may evolve over time.
| Year | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
Penn Vet | Vet first year curriculum | Vet first year curriculum | Vet related experiences and/or MSW summer course |
| Year 2 Penn Vet | Vet second year curriculum with two Vet courses counting towards MSW requirements. | Vet second year curriculum with two Vet courses counting toward MSW requirements | Vet clinical rotations |
| Year 3 Penn School of Social Policy and Practice | MSW first year curriculum with Field Placement | MSW first year curriculum with Field Placement | Vet clinical rotations |
| Year 4
Penn School of Social Policy and Practice | MSW second year curriculum with Advanced Field Placement in Animal or Health care-focused site | MSW second year curriculum with Advanced Field Placement in Animal or Health care-focused site | Vet clinical rotations |
| Year 5
Penn Vet | Vet clinical rotations and electives | Vet clinical rotations and electives | Vet clinical rotations or electives, if necessary Graduate with VMD|MSW |
Application Details
Separate applications and acceptances are required for both the MSW and VMD degrees. Students interested in the dual degree option will be required to articulate their interests and career aspirations in a separate essay and interview that will be evaluated in conjunction with all application material provided to Penn Vet, by the VMD | MSW advisory group.
Prospective dual degree students may contact Ameena Atif at onehealth@vet.upenn.edu.
Financial Aid
All Dual degree students are eligible for scholarships and financial aid as per policies associated with their home schools.