S.J. Quinney College of Law

The S.J. Quinney College of Law and the College of Social Work offer a joint JD/MSW pathway, enabling students to pursue both degrees simultaneously.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING (PLEASE READ):

Applicants must submit separate applications to the College of Law and the College of Social Work. Admission standards for each program are independent, and admission to one does not guarantee admission to the other.

• • • 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 MSW program to complete your first-year of law school.

REDUCTION IN OVERALL CREDIT REQUIREMENT

Due to the complementary nature of law and social work, dual degree students may count:

• • • Up to 12 credit hours of College of Law coursework can count toward the 60 credit-hour MSW degree requirements.
    • Up to 12 credit hours of MSW coursework can count toward the 88 credit-hour JD degree requirements.
    • The overall credit requirement is reduced by 24 credit hours, allowing students to complete both degrees in approximately eight semesters of full-time study.

Students must complete all requirements for both degrees before either degree is awarded.

PREREQUISITE: COMPLETION OF FIRST YEAR AT THE COLLEGE OF LAW

To apply MSW coursework toward the JD degree, students must first successfully complete their first year of law school.

• • • Students starting with MSW coursework must postpone taking any MSW courses they wish to count toward the JD degree (up to 12 credits) until after completing their first year of law school.
    • Given the demanding nature of the first-year law curriculum, the College of Law strongly recommends against enrolling in MSW courses during this period. Students are encouraged to consult their MSW Academic Advisor to discuss potential deferment options.

ENROLLMENT IN THE JD/MSW DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM

Students admitted to both programs must:

• • • File a Joint Degree Enrollment Form with the College of Law Registrar.
    • Meet with academic advisors in both programs to understand and plan for all degree requirements.

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE APPROVALS

• • • For MSW Courses Counting Toward the JD Degree:
      • • Must be pre-approved by the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Please reach out to the JD Academic Advisor to inquire if any MSW courses have already been pre-approved.
        • Must be a graduate-level course, not part of the MSW first-year curriculum.
        • A grade of 3.0 (“B”) or higher is required.
    • For JD Courses Counting Toward the MSW Degree: To begin the approval process for JD courses to count toward the MSW degree, please coordinate with the MSW Academic Advisor.

ENROLLMENT NOTIFICATIONS

• • • Students taking only MSW courses during a semester must inform the College of Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and JD Academic Advisor.
    • Students taking only law courses during a semester must inform the MSW Academic Advisor.

DEGREE AWARD

Both degrees must be completed to receive credit for cross-over courses and to be awarded the JD and MSW.