Social Work/Children's Law and Policy (MSW/MJ)
The School of Law at Loyola offers the Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) degree to professionals working in the field of child welfare who do not want to practice law but who wish to seek a deeper understanding of the laws affecting children and families. This program focuses on the complex social and legal issues affecting children and families in child welfare.
This program allows those seeking leadership positions in child and family welfare and advocacy to earn their MSW in tandem with their MJ degree. The MJ degree is offered 100% online. The Social Work courses are offered in-person with daytime and evening options, and some courses are offered online. Both degrees can be earned in a total of three years for full-time students.
Related Programs
Master's
Certificate
Combined
Curriculum
The MSW/MJ in Child and Family Law program blends coursework from both the School of Social Work and the School of Law. MJ students may receive a dual MJ/MSW degree in three years of concentrated study rather than the four years it would take if each degree were pursued separately. Students must apply and be accepted by both programs.
Instead of the 49 required MSW credit hours and 30 required MJ credit hours, dual degree students are required to complete a total of 49 MSW credit hours and 21 MJ credit hours. For the MJ portion of the program, students are still required to take 4 of the required foundational courses from the MJ program (LAW 665 Introduction to the Study of Law and Legal Systems, LAW 667 Introduction to Children's Law, Policy and Practice, LAW 668 Leadership Development), and LAW 677 ChildLaw Thesis/Capstone.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSW Requirements | ||
| Generalist MSW Courses | ||
| Community Immersion Program (1-Week Community Immersion Program) | 0 | |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice 1 | 3 |
| or SOWK 504 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice | |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Specialized Courses | ||
| Courses Required of All Students | ||
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo and Micro Practice 1 | 3 |
| or SOWK 681 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Specializations & Tracks | 9 | |
| All students must choose a Specialization and Track. | ||
| Micro Practice Specialization | ||
| Schools/Professional Educator's License (PEL) Track | ||
| The Exceptional Child | ||
| School Social Work Policy and Practice I | ||
| School Social Work Policy and Practice II | ||
| Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors (CADC) Track | ||
| Clinical Practice in Addiction | ||
| Substance Abuse Treatment in Groups | ||
| Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders | ||
| Migration Studies Track | ||
| Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy | ||
| Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants | ||
| Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights | ||
| Advanced Clinical Practice Track | ||
3 Track Courses | ||
| See Course Options for the Advanced Clinical Track 2 | ||
| Leadership, Mezzo & Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization | ||
| Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP) Track | ||
| Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations 2 | ||
| Organizations, Program Development, and Evaluation | ||
| Community Organizing and Policy Practice | ||
| Electives | ||
| All students will choose to take two electives. Any 600 or 700-level course may be considered an elective. | 6 | |
| MJ Requirements | ||
| LAW 665 | Introduction to the Study of Law and Legal Systems | 2 |
| LAW 667 | Introduction to Children's Law, Policy and Practice | 2 |
| LAW 668 | Leadership Development 2 | 4 |
| LAW 677 | ChildLaw Thesis/Capstone | 4 |
| MJ Course Electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 70 | |
- 1
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
- 2
LAW 668 Leadership Development fulfills requirements of SOWK 650 Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations.
Specializations & Tracks Options
The Social Work/Children's Law and Policy (MSW/MJ) program have the following specialization and track options:
- Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization
- Micro Practice Specialization
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization
Full-Time MSW/MJ Student Template
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| LAW 665 | Introduction to the Study of Law and Legal Systems | 2 |
| LAW 667 | Introduction to Children's Law, Policy and Practice | 2 |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 668 | Leadership Development | 4 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 2 | 3 |
| SOWK | Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 652 | Organizations, Program Development, and Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 653 | Community Organizing and Policy Practice | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| LAW 677 | ChildLaw Thesis/Capstone | 4 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 650 | Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations | 3 |
| SOWK | Elective | 3 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 70 | |
- 1
Option to pursue a summer internship or fall-spring or spring-summer internship in year 2
Total MJ Hours: 21
Total MSW Hours: 49
Total Dual Hours: 70Please note: This is a sample course schedule and may depend on course availability.
- 2
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
Micro Specialization
Full-Time MSW/MJ Student Template
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| LAW 665 | Introduction to the Study of Law and Legal Systems | 2 |
| LAW 667 | Introduction to Children's Law, Policy and Practice | 2 |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 668 | Leadership Development | 4 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| LAW | MJ Course Elective | 3 |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | 3 |
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK | Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 677 | ChildLaw Thesis/Capstone | 4 |
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SOWK | Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 70 | |
- 1
Option to pursue a summer internship or fall-spring or spring-summer internship in year 2
Total MJ Hours: 21
Total MSW Hours: 49
Total Dual Hours: 70Please note: This is a sample course schedule and may depend on course availability.
Reminder: MJ students must consult with both their law school thesis advisor and social work instructor to ensure their research practicum meets the requirement for both schools.
- 2
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
Dual Degree Programs
Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.