Does a Dual Degree Make a Difference in Social Work

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed method study was to examine the professional integration of religion and spirituality by two groups of MSW level graduates from a large midwestern private research university with a joint degree program. The Dual Degree group consisted of all graduates with a second master's degree in religion/divinity. The second MSW-only group was a random sample matched by gender and year of graduation with the Dual Degree group. Survey questionnaires were mailed to 124 graduates with a response rate of 65%, or 81 graduates. Forty-five respondents were Dual Degree graduates while 36 had only the MSW. Obtaining advanced university or seminary education in religion is correlated with different perspectives on social work practice. Dual Degree graduates are more likely to ask about client religious views and to have a richer context for practice in this domain.