The Brown School’s Master of Social Policy program has expanded to include a new dual-degree partnership with Hebrew University.
The two universities have had a longstanding partnership – the expansion of their collaboration will open new opportunities for students to obtain dual degrees with study in the U.S. and Israel, and provide further cross-country opportunities for faculty exchange and shared research initiatives.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Washington University Chancellor Andrew Martin and Brown School Dean Mary McKay on behalf of WashU Oron Shagrir, Vice President of International Affairs, and Dean Mona Khoury-Kassabri signed for Hebrew University of Jerusalem and its School of Social Work and Social Welfare.
“Especially in the midst of a global health crisis, it’s exciting that our universities are responding through innovative and impactful opportunities for policy-driven and passionate students,” said McKay, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School. “The shared degree program offerings by the Brown School and Hebrew University will offer students unique transdisciplinary perspectives, skills, and networks for an ever-increasingly global world.”
Khoury-Kassabri said: “Building on ongoing collaborations between the universities including faculty exchange, joint research and more. The jointly offered program gives students valuable coursework and extensive experience in the field where they get to know different and diverse social organizations and government offices.”
English-speaking students will have the opportunity to complete a dual-degree Master’s program in Nonprofit Management and Leadership in Jerusalem, and Social Policy in St. Louis in two years. Students with proficient Hebrew and English language abilities may also complete the Master of Social Policy in conjunction with Hebrew University graduate programs in Social Work, Early Childhood Studies, or Non-Profit and Community Organization Management.
Students apply to both universities separately, and will typically begin their study at Hebrew University for their first year and complete their second year at the Brown School. Recruitment for the program is already beginning ahead of the 2021-2022 academic year. The dual-degree approach builds on similar, successful degree partnerships with top universities in China led by Shenyang Guo, Frank J. Bruno Distinguished Professor of Social Work Research.
In addition to the degree partnerships with leading global universities, the MSP is open to students enrolled in the Brown School’s MSW or MPH programs as well as anyone who has previously completed a graduate degree from an accredited U.S. university.