Program Overview

Master of Social Work / Doctor of Law in Social Work / Juris Doctor

Program Overview

The combined Master of Social Work (MSW) and Juris Doctor (JD) program is offered jointly between the University at Albany and Albany Law School. This dual degree program enables students to earn both degrees in four years of full-time study, rather than five.

Program of Study

The program requires a total of 123 credits (45-48 credits for the MSW and 75-78 credits for the JD). The curriculum is divided into four years:

First Year: Albany Law School Courses

• First Year Seminar Class
• Contracts I and II
• Introduction to Lawyering I and II
• Federal Civil Procedure
• Torts
• Professional Identity Formation
• Property
• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law

Second Year: School of Social Welfare Courses

• Learning Community I and II
• Social Justice and Social Work
• Integrated Theory and Practice I-IV
• Human Behavior and Social Environment I and II
• Field Instruction I and II
• Social Welfare Policy Practice

Third Year: Mixed Law School and School of Social Welfare Courses

• Advanced Generalist course work at the School of Social Welfare
• Courses at Albany Law School

Fourth Year: Albany Law School Courses

• Albany Law Electives

Social Work Practicums

Field instruction through two 500-hour agency-based field practicums is a vital part of the MSW degree. Hundreds of social and human service agencies and community organizations in and around the Capital Region partner with the School of Social Welfare to provide these practicum experiences.

Career Paths

This rigorous dual degree program is designed for exceptional students who want to provide disadvantaged populations with legal assistance informed by social work practice or social services informed by legal practice.

Sample Job Titles:

• Family Court Social Worker
• Child Advocacy Program Supervisor
• Lead Victim Assistance Civil Specialist
• Social Security Disability Attorney
• City Homeless Shelters Manager
• Legal Team Mitigation Specialist
• Juvenile Justice Administrator
• Elder Abuse Prevention Director
• Public Legal Aid Staff
• Social Welfare Litigation Officer
• Director of Immigrant Justice Services
• LGBTQ Law and Policy Attorney
• Counsel for Human Rights Organizations

Accreditation

• The Master of Social Work program at the University at Albany is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Albany Law School’s JD program is accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.

Admissions and Tuition

• To enter the dual degree program, students must be independently admitted to the JD program at Albany Law School and the MSW program at the University at Albany.
• Tuition costs are determined by each institution.

Admissions Requirements

• Deadlines:
  • Departmental Assistantship Consideration: January 31 at 11:59pm (Fall), Not Available (Spring and Summer)
  • No Departmental Assistantship Consideration: January 31 at 11:59pm (Fall), Not Available (Spring and Summer)
• Required Application Materials:
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Resume/CV
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Background and Goals

Special Notes

• Must also apply to Albany Law.
• This program requires a practicum, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement.
• Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.