S.J. Quinney College of Law

Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (MSW)

The S.J. Quinney College of Law and the College of Social Work propose the following program to enable students to pursue both a JD degree and an MSW degree simultaneously.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING (PLEASE READ):

• • • Applying to both programs at the same time - If you are accepted into both programs at the same time, we HIGHLY encourage you to defer for one year (Fall and Spring semesters) from the MSW program to complete your first year of law school. The College of Law will not give law credit for an MSW course unless the applicant has first successfully completed the required first-year law courses at the College of Law. 
    • Current JD students applying for the MSW program - We encourage you to set up appointments with both program advisors to make sure you understand the expectations of both programs.
    • Current MSW students applying for the JD program -  Please be aware by completing courses in the MSW program before completing the first-year of law school, we now cannot accept any courses that would have met the 12 cross-over credits. Once you are accepted in the JD program, you MUST take a leave of absence from the MRED program to complete your first-year of law school.
    • Applicants interested in both programs must submit separate admission applications. Each program has its own independent admission standards, and admission to one program does not ensure admission to the other.

CREDIT HOUR BREAKDOWN

Year 1: College of Law first-year courses 31 credits
Year 2: College of Social Work foundation courses (including practicum) 30 credits
Years 3 & 4: Completion of College of Law requirements and advanced Social Work classes

Because the overall credit requirements for both degrees are reduced by 22 credit hours, a student enrolled in the dual degree program full-time should be able to complete the program in 8 semesters.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CROSS-OVER COURSE CREDIT

To earn academic credit towards a law degree for coursework completed in the MSW program:

• • • an MSW course must be pre-approved by the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or be included in a list of pre-approved courses list, which the Associate Director of Student Activities & Advising manages.
    • the course must be a graduate-level course; and
    • the student must receive a grade of 3.0 (“B”) or higher in each course.

Pre-approved College of Social Work Courses that may be counted towards JD Requirements shall include up to four (4) credits for completion of the SW 6522 - Specialist Field Practicum II, provided the practicum is completed in a pre-approved placement site and meets all requirements for the law school clinic and the MSW field placement.

To earn academic credit towards the MSW degree for coursework completed in the College of Law:

• • • a College of Law course must be pre-approved by the College of Social Work Academic Advisor
    • the course must be a graduate-level course; and
    • the student must receive a grade of 3.0 (“B”) or higher in each course.

In addition to the courses that are pre-approved under this provision, the following College of Law courses have been approved for MSW degree credit and can be substituted for MSW courses otherwise required for the MSW degree:

• • • A College of Law seminar (LAW 7800) will exempt the student from the MSW requirement of Advanced Social Work Policy (3 credits; SW 6231/41/51/61) and AdvancedSocial Work Research II (2 credits; SW 6432/42/52/62). The student must coordinate with the College of Social Work Faculty Advisor to ensure that the College of Law seminar project includes a social policy research focus.

ENROLLMENT ONLY IN COLLEGE OF LAW OR MSW COURSES

A student in the JD/MSW Dual Degree Program who during any semester is enrolled in only one program alone MUST notify the JD Academic Advisor and/or MSW Academic Advisor of that fact. If you do not notify them you could be discontinued from the program in which you are not enrolled in during that semester.

COMPLETION OF BOTH PROGRAMS

A student enrolled in the JD/MSW Dual Degree Program must complete all requirements of both programs before either degree will be awarded. In the event a student elects to pursue a single degree after being accepted into the dual degree program, both the law school and the business school must be notified and all of the requirements of the elected program must be met.

Upon completion of both programs, the student earns two separate degrees, a JD degree awarded by the College of Law and an MSW degree awarded by the College of Social Work.