Program Overview

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Social Work and Law, M.S.W. & J.D.

Joseph F. Rice School of Law

College of Social Work

Achieve a unique and powerful skill set designed to help you make an incredible difference in the lives of vulnerable populations and legally address the social issues facing disadvantaged communities.

Take your commitment to serving the community to the next level. Offered through the School of Law and the College of Social Work, this combination degree program prepares you for social justice work and advocacy using the tools and language of the legal system. You'll have a range of opportunities to contribute to the common good.

Program Highlights

• Advanced Knowledge

Emerge with not only the legal knowledge but also the capacity to understand societal issues and vulnerable communities.

• Leadership Trajectory

Prepare for a career leading a nonprofit organization or taking on a different leadership role after you complete this program.

• Career Options

Find opportunities in advocacy and public policy in areas such as child welfare, mental health, criminal justice and immigration.

• Prime Location

Enjoy access to state government and governmental agencies through our location in the capital city.

What You’ll Study

Learn to fight oppression and discrimination, and protect and promote the development of all people. Become an attorney with clinical social work skills, and be prepared to discover and understand the special needs of people who are disadvantaged. Train as a social worker with legal skills to advocate more effectively for clients within the legal system.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Advocacy

Promoting or defending a cause or issue often using awareness, education and policy change

• Critical Thinking

Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

• Evaluate Policies

Examining their impact and effectiveness in achieving specific goals or objectives

• Networking

Building relationships and making connections with others to advance personal or professional goals

• Communication

Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression

• Problem Solving

Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Attorney
• Public Analyst
• Social Worker
• Community Advocate
• Nonprofit Leader

Workplace Settings

• Social Services
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Public Policy
• Legal Services

Testimonial

I chose to pursue the dual MSW/JD degree program because I felt that the MSW program would provide me with a deep understanding of people and systems theories that will help me to best serve my clients as an attorney.

Claire Griffiths