Tulane School of Social Work to launch new online degree option

The Tulane University School of Social Work will soon offer a dual degree program that will enable online master of social work students to also earn a master of science degree in Disaster Resilience Leadership.

The five-semester program will begin in the fall of 2020, with online MSW students learning about disaster preparedness, disaster management, assessment of psychosocial and health factors and infrastructures to support individuals and communities.

“Immediately after and for years post-event, disasters  impact the behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities,” said Patrick Bordnick, dean of the Tulane School of Social Work.

"All of our graduates lead by example and can expect to achieve leadership and upper-level management positions."

Reggie Ferreira, director of the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy at Tulane

“The MSW/MS-DRL combines the school’s top-tier clinical and community-based practice curriculum of our MSW degree with interdisciplinary knowledge in disaster preparedness and management to prepare students to be leaders in their communities, locally and around the globe.”

In addition to providing direct knowledge, leading experts in their fields will share their experiences from living and working in New Orleans, providing insight applicable to a wide range of communities and populations.

Field education is part of the degree, and online dual degree students will gain real-world social work practice within their own communities. They will spend three days a week in field instruction for three consecutive semesters after their first semester. MSW/MS-DRL field placements are in agencies that provide social work supervision in a disaster preparedness or response setting.

The online MSW/MS-DRL degrees prepares students to develop, evaluate, and implement disaster preparedness, management, and recovery programs and policies, provide services and resources to enhance well-being and equitable treatment, and instill resilience in the face of future crises and disasters.

“Our alumni work in communities that are affected by and vulnerable to disaster destruction and disruption as well as organizations that focus on all phases of disaster management, including preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction,” said Reggie Ferreira, director of the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. “All of our graduates lead by example and can expect to achieve leadership and upper level management positions.”

For information on the online dual degree, visit the Tulane School of Social Work website or email onlinemsw@tulane.edu. Those interested in the certificate only may  email msw@tulane.edu.