Business Administration/Social Work Dual Master’s Degree (MBA/MSW)

Program Description

KSU is committed to developing innovative programs that are responsive to the rapidly changing economic, social and political climate and to the interdependence of sectors (public, private and nonprofit). Therefore, KSU is offering the first dual degree MSW/MBA program in the state of Georgia.  “In recent decades, social work practitioners have increasingly been called upon to think entrepreneurially to seek private funding and to collaborate with nongovernmental organizations to provide social services and goods” (c.f. Lee, 2016, p. 209). Similarly, companies have become more socially responsible because of consumer demand, employee morale, potential to develop new markets, and a desire to create sustainable business practices that focus on triple-bottom line (preserve wellbeing of people and planet while making a profit).

The Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration (MSW/MBA) Program is a dual degree offered by the WellStar College of Health and Human Service and the Coles College of Business Administration to meet this need. The objective of the dual degree program is to create future leaders and change agents who create “social value” by focusing on the triple-bottom line and initiate purposeful “social change.” The competencies acquired through the dual degrees will be sought after by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) units in companies, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and large managed care organizations (behavioral and physical health) to name a few. Additionally, graduates can also launch their own social entrepreneurial ventures, social enterprises and private practices. Hence, graduates can be employed by organizations in all three sectors (private, nonprofit and public).

This program is a part of the Michael J. Coles College of Business .

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policy

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the dual degree program, the applicant must specify the option at the time of the application to the Graduate College. Students interested in applying for the dual degree option MSW/MBA Program should consult with the MSW and the MBA Program Directors with regard to admission requirements and course sequence. The following are program-specific requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

Admission to the KSU MSW/MBA programs is based on a competitive evaluation of pooled applicants using the following criteria:

• A GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale over the last 60 hours of undergraduate study, as indicated on official college or university transcript received directly from the degree-granting institution. Course work from all two- and four-year institutions should be submitted directly by the institutions.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree that reflects a broad liberal arts base in the social, behavioral or psychological sciences, human biology, the humanities or statistics. The baccalaureate degree should be from an institution accredited in a manner accepted by Kennesaw State University.
• Two letters of recommendation.
  • One from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic work. Note: if unable to locate an academic reference you may add one additional professional reference.
  • One professional reference from a former employer, field or volunteer supervisor.
• An autobiographical statement, maximum 1500 words, double-spaced, that includes the following:
  • Your experience in social work, including volunteer experience.
  • Life experiences that impacted your interest in social work.
  • Your personal qualities that will be useful in serving others as a social work professional.
  • Your values that will be useful in serving others as a social worker
  • Your career goals and how social work education will help you realize these goals.

• Nature and total years of full-time professional experience may also be considered. 

If at any point before beginning classes in the dual degree program, an applicant or admitted student submits an official GMAT or GRE score to KSU, the submitted GMAT or GRE score may be used for consideration of an admissions decision.

Admissions Requirements for Unique Cases

For the MSW/MBA program, additional information may be requested in order to better assess the candidate’s preparedness to enter the programs. For example, the program does not generally require standardized tests for admissions consideration, however, in certain cases the program may request candidates to take the GMAT or GRE exam in order for the admissions committee to assess their suitability for the programs.

Transfer Credit

No credit from outside institutions is accepted for this degree/certificate/endorsement/program.

Graduation Requirements

Each candidate must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements