Master of Social Work / Doctor of Law

Social Work / Juris Doctor

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Improve the Lives of Individuals and Communities with Legal and Social Work Interventions

Get the education you need to work in areas where law and social work regularly intersect such as child welfare, family law, mental health, services for disabled persons or the elderly, family violence, and corrections.

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

As an MSW/JD student, you will develop in-depth knowledge of human and organizational behavior, and social welfare and legal institutions. You will be prepared to implement, promote and advocate for change at individual, community and policy levels.

Program of Study
Field Placement
Career Paths
Accreditation
Admissions and Tuition
Admissions Requirements
SSW Home

Program of Study

This dual degree requires a total of 125 credits (51 credits for the MSW and 74 credits for the JD). The curriculum breaks down as follows.

First Year: Albany Law School Courses

Legal Methods
Contracts I and II
Property I and II
Introduction to Lawyering I and II
Introduction to Civil Procedure
Torts
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law

Second Year: School of Social Welfare Courses

Social Welfare Policy and Services
Human Behavior and Social Environment I and II
Micro Practice in Social Work I and II
Macro Practice in Social Work I and II
Social Work Field Instruction I and II
Introductory Research Methodology

During the second year, macro concentration students also take Legal Profession and Professional Responsibility at Albany Law School, usually over the summer.

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

Choose either the Macro or Clinical Practice Concentration at the School of Social Welfare

Macro Social Work Concentration

Research Methods in Social Work Management
Human Service Organizations in a Changing Environment
Community Building
One course in advanced macro social work
Macro Social Work Field Instruction III and IV

Clinical Social Work Concentration

Evaluation of Clinical Practice
Three courses in advanced clinical practice
Clinical Social Work Field Instruction III and IV

Albany Law School Coursework (all students)

Electives (students in the MSW macro practice concentration must take at least one course in finance)

See the Graduate Bulletin for details about the dual MSW/JD with macro concentration or clinical concentration.

Fourth Year: Albany Law School Electives

Macro concentration students: 29 credits
Clinical concentration students: 30 credits and Professional Responsibility (3 credits)

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, call 518-442-5320 or email sswhelp@albany.edu.

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State and the institution has not made a determination regarding the educational requirements for any other state.

Social Work Field Placement

Field instruction through two 500-hour internships 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 field placement internships where learning, training and service occur simultaneously.

During your first internship (Social Work Field Instruction I and II) you participate in a broad range of social work activities allowing you to develop a foundation understanding of the context of social work practice and relational skills. Your second internship provides you with professional experience related to your area of concentration (Macro or Clinical Social Work Field Instruction III and IV). Potential internship locations include: addiction treatment facilities, jails, child and adult protective service agencies, criminal and family courts, and advocacy organizations.

In both placements, you are supervised by a trained field instructor who is an experienced and licensed social worker. Most students complete each internship by working two days a week over the course of two semesters.

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.

As a graduate, you will be ready to take the bar exam and obtain master social work licensure in New York State.

As a registered attorney and licensed social worker, you will be in an excellent position for a broad range of careers in government, consulting, teaching, research and law.

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

MSW PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

The Master of Social Work program at the University at Albany is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which meets the education qualification for master and clinical social work licensure in New York State. Learn more about the master’s in social work at UAlbany.

JD PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

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. Learn more about the law degree curriculum at Albany Law School.

MSW/JD Admissions and Tuition

To enter the dual degree program, you must be independently admitted to the JD program at Albany Law School and the MSW program at the University at Albany.

While you’re not required to submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores to be admitted to the master’s in social work program, you must submit valid Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores with your application for admission to the Juris Doctor program. Learn more about Albany Law School admission requirements.

Tuition costs are determined by each institution. Although you’ll save money by finishing both degrees in four years, be sure to plan ahead for differences in tuition rates between Albany Law School and UAlbany.

Two students studying in the Dewey Library

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: January 30
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: January 30
Spring: Not Available
Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Personal Statement
Please write a three to four page statement (double spaced, 12 point font) reflecting on the definition of social work and the School’s mission: “The School of Social Welfare advances baccalaureate, masters, doctoral and post-graduate education that develops social work leaders, generates knowledge through research, and furthers social and economic justice. Located in a public research university, our diverse faculty, staff and students collaborate with local, national and global partners to enhance human well-being.”

In addition to reflecting on the definition of social work and the School’s mission, be sure to address the following items:
- Describe your reasons for pursuing a career in social work.
- How does your work and your volunteer experience prepare you for starting a professional degree program in social work?
- Given the mission of the School of Social Welfare, explain why you think you are a good fit for this school.
CV/Resume

Available information for International Applicants.

Special Notes

Must also apply to Albany Law.

Additionally, this program requires an internship, 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. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.