Cecily Zamora
A dual degree in law and social work (JD+MSW) prepares graduates for a variety of roles. Students graduating from a dual MSW/JD degree program will be eligible to practice as social workers immediately and as attorneys after passing the bar exam. Graduates can work in settings including law firms, health services delivery organizations, correctional facilities, hospitals, care facilities, criminal justice facilities, and various governmental capacities. They can also work as negotiators, mediators, and with nonprofit organizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accreditation bodies | Council on Social Work Education for social work; American Bar Association for law |
| Accreditation benefits | Ensures schools meet educational standards; graduates have the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice in their field |
| Post-graduation goals | Desired client population and level of involvement; type of job, e.g. advocacy, litigation, management |
| Coursework | Provides knowledge, skills and insight to work with clients facing legal and social challenges; enhanced communication skills |
| Field placements | Social work students must complete 900 hours in foundational and concentration-based field placements; law internship hours vary from school to school |
| Career options | Social justice work, e.g. children, family, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights; court systems; child welfare; negotiators and mediators; health services delivery organisations; government agencies; correctional facilities; law firms; advocacy |
| Bar exam | Required to practice as an attorney |
| Credit sharing | Some courses from each discipline may count towards the other degree, varying by school |
| Course duration | Four to four-and-a-half years |
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What You'll Learn
Social work advocacy
Social workers are mental health professionals who generally work in private practice as therapists, social service agency caseworkers, or both. A social worker with a law degree can understand the legal system and use it to advocate for their clients. A law degree can help social workers understand societal issues and vulnerable communities, and prepare them to lead non-profit organisations.
A social worker with a law degree can work as a lawyer or attorney after passing the bar exam. They can also work as a mediator, skilled in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), or as a guardian ad litem, a court-appointed legal or mental health professional who looks after the best interests of a minor child, a person with a disability, or an older person. A social worker with a law degree can also work as a court-appointed parenting coordinator, helping resolve custody and other issues in high-conflict divorce cases.
A dual degree in social work and law can be completed in four to four-and-a-half years. Graduates of such programs are employed in the court systems (federal and state, children, family, criminal), child welfare and other human service systems, and for social welfare policy think-tanks and advocacy groups.
The dual degree prepares students to work with clients facing difficult legal and social challenges. It provides them with enhanced communication skills and a strong understanding of policy and advocacy. The degree can help social workers understand the intersection of law and social work and use it to advocate for vulnerable populations.
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Legal and institutional resources
A dual degree in law and social work can open doors to a variety of career paths that involve using legal and institutional resources to help individuals and communities. Here are some of the opportunities available to those with an MSW and Law degree:
- Court Systems: Graduates with a dual degree in law and social work can find employment in federal, state, and criminal court systems. They can work as negotiators, mediators, or advocates, using their legal knowledge to navigate the court system and their social work skills to support individuals or families navigating legal issues.
- Child Welfare and Human Services: Social workers with a legal background are well-equipped to work in child welfare and other human service organizations. They can advocate for policies and programs that protect children's rights and improve their well-being. They also help connect families with the necessary resources and support services.
- Correctional Facilities: Correctional social workers are employed in county, state, and federal correctional facilities. They identify the needs of incarcerated individuals and refer them to legal, educational, or health resources. They also provide individual and group therapy sessions, addressing mental health and substance use disorders. Correctional social workers collaborate with law enforcement and contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals into society.
- Policy and Advocacy: A dual degree in law and social work prepares individuals for careers in advocacy and policy development. They can work with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or special-interest groups to shape policies and programs that address social issues and improve access to resources for vulnerable communities. This includes advocating for local ordinances, state laws, or federal legislation that aligns with social justice goals.
- Legal Settings: Social workers with a legal background can find field work placements in legal settings, such as public defender's offices, legal aid societies, or court-related services. They can provide support to individuals facing legal issues, ensuring their social and legal needs are addressed.
- Health Services: Graduates can work in health services delivery organizations, managed care organizations, and hospitals. They can provide emotional support to patients and their families, connect them with resources, and address social determinants of health.
The combination of an MSW and a law degree enhances one's ability to navigate legal and institutional frameworks, making graduates well-suited for roles that involve advocating for and serving vulnerable populations.
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Social justice work
A dual MSW/JD degree can be a great pathway for those who want to pursue a career in social justice work. This degree combination can offer a unique set of skills and knowledge that can be highly valuable in this field.
Graduates with a dual MSW/JD degree often find employment in various sectors, including the court system, child welfare services, human service systems, and non-profit organizations. They may also work as negotiators and mediators, or advocates, using their legal knowledge and understanding of social issues to contribute to the common good.
For example, with a strong basis in the legal system, graduates can advocate for their clients' rights and navigate complex legal challenges. This understanding of the legal system can be particularly useful when working with vulnerable communities and addressing societal issues. Additionally, enhanced communication skills gained through the program can better equip graduates to work with clients facing difficult legal and social challenges.
The dual degree can also provide a strong foundation for those interested in policy-level work. Graduates can find opportunities in social welfare policy think-tanks and advocacy groups, where they can contribute to the development and implementation of policies that promote social justice and protect the rights of marginalized communities.
When considering a dual MSW/JD degree, it is important to keep in mind the additional time and financial investments required. The program typically takes four to four and a half years to complete, adding one to two years to standard post-graduate education. Additionally, the financial cost of pursuing a law degree can be significant, and it may not be feasible to recoup this investment through a social worker's salary. However, for those passionate about making a difference in the world and bridging the gap between law and social work, the dual degree can offer a unique and rewarding career path in social justice work.
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Administration of human services
A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares graduates to help clients in need to achieve more stability and safety in their daily lives. Social workers help their clients in two key ways: direct service and clinical work. Direct service social workers understand the array of social services available, interview clients, assess their needs, and develop an action plan to connect them with vital services. Clinical social workers, on the other hand, function as counselors, helping clients cope with their emotions and adapt to their environment more effectively.
An MSW degree can also lead to administrative roles in human services. Human services professionals work as program managers, administrators, and directors. Their responsibilities include managing staff and daily activities, coordinating with other agencies, researching target populations, identifying strengths and weaknesses, recommending improvements, and adjusting programs to meet community needs.
A law degree, or juris doctor (JD), on the other hand, is a graduate degree in law that allows individuals to practice as lawyers or attorneys after passing the bar exam. A law degree provides knowledge, skills, and insight to work with clients facing legal and social challenges. It enhances understanding of policy and advocacy, as well as communication skills.
Combining an MSW with a law degree can offer a unique skill set for administration in human services. Graduates with this combination may work as social service administrators, public welfare administrators, juvenile court representatives, family court personnel, mediators, or public policy officials. They can effectively navigate the legal and social aspects of human services, advocating for clients and driving social change.
The salary and career outlook for individuals with an MSW/JD combination vary depending on the position and organization type. Working for a service-based nonprofit may offer a lower salary, while private law firms tend to provide higher earnings. Government jobs often fall in the mid-range salary-wise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for social workers is predicted to grow by 13% between 2019 and 2019, outpacing the average job market growth.
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Correctional social work
One of the key aspects of correctional social work is helping prisoners with their transition to post-prison life. Social workers in this field support individuals after their release, ensuring they have the necessary resources and education to successfully reintegrate into society. This work can include providing referrals and connecting individuals to community resources, with the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism and breaking the cycle of incarceration.
While it can be a demanding field, correctional social work offers the opportunity to make a tangible difference. Social workers in this area need to be resilient and persistent in challenging the system to bring about positive change. It is a career path that requires a strong understanding of both the legal and social work systems, making it a suitable choice for those with an MSW and law degree who are passionate about advocating for and improving the lives of those within the correctional system.
The pay and benefits for correctional social workers can vary depending on the location and specific position. Some sources indicate that correctional social work positions tend to offer good compensation and job security, with the added advantage of union representation in certain cases. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks, such as long commutes, inflexible schedules, and challenging work environments, when considering a career in correctional social work.
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Frequently asked questions
The MSW and Law degree is a dual degree program that combines a Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a Juris Doctor (JD) program. Students graduate with a master's in social work and a law degree.
Having an MSW and Law degree can provide a strong understanding of the legal system, which can be beneficial for those working in social work. It can also enhance communication skills and provide knowledge and insight to work with clients facing legal and social challenges. Additionally, it can prepare graduates for careers in advocacy, administration of human services, and various arenas of social welfare and social policy.
Career options with an MSW and Law degree include working in law firms, health services delivery organizations, managed care organizations, regulatory agencies, and various governmental capacities. Graduates may also work in court systems, child welfare, human service systems, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and social justice work.
The requirements for obtaining an MSW and Law degree vary depending on the specific program and institution. Generally, students are required to complete a significant number of credits, including electives and internship hours. Some programs may allow courses from one discipline to count towards the other degree. It is important to ensure that the program is accredited by the respective bodies, such as the Council on Social Work Education and the American Bar Association.
