Social Work/Law (MSW/JD)
Offered jointly with the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, this dual degree gives clinical skills and a broader understanding of the human concerns in legal interventions to practicing lawyers. Students in this program gain psychological and social perspectives that come into play when representing and advocating for children, families, women, and the elderly.
Related Programs
Curriculum
MSW/JD Dual-Degree Program
The MSW/JD combines courses offered by the School of Law's JD program with courses offered by the School of Social Work's MSW program. In the School of Social Work, students are required to complete all foundation courses. In addition, advanced practice courses are taken according to specialization area and electives.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JD Requirements | ||
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 152 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 190R | Basic Legal Research | 0 |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| LAW 210 | Evidence 1 | 4 |
| LAW 232 | Bar Exam Fundamentals 3 | 2 |
| LAW 270 | Business Organizations 1 | 4 |
| LAW 414 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| BCCR Elective 2 | 2-3 | |
| LAW Electives | 24-28 | |
| Law Experiential Learning Elective | 6 | |
| Law Perspective Elective 4 | 2-3 | |
| Law Rigorous Writing Elective 5 | 2-3 | |
| 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 6 | 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 Macro Practice 6 | 3 |
| or SOWK 681 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Micro Practice Specialization | 9 | |
| Advanced Clinical Practice Track | ||
3 Track Courses | ||
| See Course Options for the Advanced Clinical Track 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
This requirement only applies to students beginning their JDs in Fall 2023 or later.
- 2
This requirement only applies to students beginning their JDs in Fall 2022 or later. For students beginning their JDs in Fall 2023 or later, students must take this BCCR course before, concurrently with, or as part of their enrollment in any clinic or externship field placement.
- 3
Students who have a GPA below 2.9 after their second, third, or fourth semester of law school must complete “BAR EXAM FUNDAMENTALS” (LAW 232) in order to graduate. This class should be taken in the Fall or Spring of their third year for full-time students, and in the Fall or Spring of their fourth year for Weekend JDs.
- 4
2 or 3 credit hours in Spring semester of first year for full-time students; part- time students must take perspective elective after the first year.
- 5
At least one class with an RW designation after 1L year and before graduation. Prior completion of Legal Writing III will satisfy the RW requirement. A student cannot use their RW course to concurrently satisfy any other of their other graduation requirements.
- 6
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.
BCCR Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 107 | Illinois Litigation Racism, Injustice & Poverty | 2 |
| LAW 143 | Environmental Justice: Race, Class and the Environment | 2-3 |
| LAW 146 | Mass Incarceration | 2 |
| LAW 156 | Abolition and Movement Lawyering | 2 |
| LAW 166 | Education Law Practicum | 1-2 |
| LAW 179 | The Law of Jury Selection | 2 |
| LAW 193 | Diversity and Inclusion: A Professional and Social Responsibility | 2 |
| LAW 202 | Human Trafficking Seminar | 2 |
| LAW 209 | Law, Life and Jesuit Spirituality | 2 |
| LAW 212 | Civil Rights | 2 |
| LAW 214 | Race and the Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 215 | Domestic Violence Practicum | 1-3 |
| LAW 249 | Human Trafficking: Advancing Protections for Children Practicum | 1-2 |
| LAW 265 | Black Traditions in International Law | 1-2 |
| LAW 276 | Criminal Law Practicum | 1-3 |
| LAW 294 | International Human Rights | 1-3 |
| LAW 302 | Intellectual Origins of "Othering" in the Law of Nations | 2 |
| LAW 312 | Street Law | 3 |
| LAW 341 | Educational Advocacy Lab | 2 |
| LAW 358 | The Quest for Racial Justice in the Long 1960s | 3 |
| LAW 389 | Public Interest Law Seminar | 1-2 |
| LAW 402 | "Say Her Name:" Intersectional Feminism & Police Violence | 4 |
| LAW 408 | Restorative Justice Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 440 | Advanced Criminal Procedure | 2-3 |
| LAW 447 | Federal Indian Law | 3 |
| LAW 483 | Federal Tax Clinic I | 2-4 |
| LAW 486 | Federal Tax Clinic II | 1-2 |
| LAW 504 | Lawyers as Leaders | 2 |
| LAW 525 | Law, Politics, and Society | 2 |
| LAW 538 | Critical Race Theory | 2 |
| LAW 539 | Affordable Housing Law & Policy | 2 |
| LAW 555 | Children and the Law | 2 |
| LAW 590 | Victims and the Criminal Process | 2 |
| LAW 601 | Child, Family, and the State | 2 |
| LAW 606 | Legislation and Policy Clinic | 2-4 |
| LAW 608 | Juvenile Justice | 2 |
| LAW 620 | Civitas ChildLaw Clinic | 1-4 |
| LAW 730 | Health Justice Practicum | 3 |
| LAW 745 | Access to Health Care | 2-3 |
| LAW 755 | Health Justice Project | 3-4 |
Experiential Learning Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 166 | Education Law Practicum | 1-2 |
| LAW 173 | Advanced Education Law Practicum | 1-4 |
| LAW 215 | Domestic Violence Practicum | 1-3 |
| LAW 246 | Advanced Mediation Advocacy Practicum | 1-4 |
| LAW 249 | Human Trafficking: Advancing Protections for Children Practicum | 1-2 |
| LAW 276 | Criminal Law Practicum | 1-3 |
| LAW 341 | Educational Advocacy Lab | 2 |
| LAW 470 | Immigration Law Lab | 2 |
| LAW 483 | Federal Tax Clinic I | 2-4 |
| LAW 486 | Federal Tax Clinic II | 1-2 |
| LAW 493 | Adult Guardianship Project | 3 |
| LAW 518 | Advanced Mediation and Courthouse Practicum | 1-3 |
| LAW 540 | Community Law Center Clinic III | 2 |
| LAW 554 | Family Law Practicum | 1 |
| LAW 584 | Mediation Certification & Courthouse Practicum | 4 |
| LAW 586 | Community Law Center Clinic Veterans Practicum | 2-4 |
| LAW 595 | Community LawCtr Clinic I | 4 |
| LAW 596 | Community Law Center Clinic II | 3 |
| LAW 599 | Externship Intensive Field Placement | 1-3 |
| LAW 606 | Legislation and Policy Clinic | 2-4 |
| LAW 617 | Policy Practicum: Issues in Childlaw | 1-3 |
| LAW 620 | Civitas ChildLaw Clinic | 1-4 |
| LAW 730 | Health Justice Practicum | 3 |
| LAW 745 | Access to Health Care | 2-3 |
| LAW 755 | Health Justice Project | 3-4 |
| LAW 757 | Advanced Health Justice Project | 2-4 |
| LAW 825 | Business Law Center Clinical & Seminar | 2-4 |
| LAW 826 | Business Law Clinic II | 1-3 |
Perspective Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 127 | Law and Psychology | 2-3 |
| LAW 185 | Business and the Law | 2 |
| LAW 208 | Advanced Criminal Law | 2 |
| LAW 262 | Genetics Law and Policy | 2 |
| LAW 265 | Black Traditions in International Law | 1-2 |
| LAW 294 | International Human Rights | 1-3 |
| LAW 319 | Jurisprudence I | 3 |
| LAW 339 | Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management | 2 |
| LAW 341 | Educational Advocacy Lab | 2 |
| LAW 348 | Law & Poverty | 3 |
| LAW 388 | Global Access to Medicine: A Patent Perspective | 3 |
| LAW 459 | Intro to English Legal Profession | 1 |
| LAW 461 | Education Law and Policy | 2-3 |
| LAW 522 | Election Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 525 | Law, Politics, and Society | 2 |
| LAW 538 | Critical Race Theory | 2 |
| LAW 558 | Comparative Freedom of Speech | 1-2 |
| LAW 564 | Animal Law and Policy | 2-3 |
| LAW 597 | The Use of Force in International and Domestic Law | 2 |
| LAW 601 | Child, Family, and the State | 2 |
| LAW 608 | Juvenile Justice | 2 |
| LAW 745 | Access to Health Care | 2-3 |
Rigorous Writing Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 145 | Gender Based Violence: Law, Practice, and Policy | 2 |
| LAW 146 | Mass Incarceration | 2 |
| LAW 176 | International Trade Law | 1-3 |
| LAW 194 | Bar Exam Writing Skills | 1-2 |
| LAW 293 | Advanced Writing for Legal Practice | 1-3 |
| LAW 302 | Intellectual Origins of "Othering" in the Law of Nations | 2 |
| LAW 361 | Insurance Law | 2 |
| LAW 407 | Immigration Litigation: Admin Law Challenges to Immigration Policy | 2 |
| LAW 417 | Advanced Business Law | 3 |
| LAW 419 | Business Skills in Sports and Entertainment Law: The Introductory Skill Set | 2 |
| LAW 455 | Appellate Advocacy-Intellectual Property | 2 |
| LAW 516 | Prisoner Constitutional Rights Litigation | 3 |
| LAW 556 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 2-3 |
| LAW 712 | Legal Writing for Medical Malpractice Trial: The Expert | 2 |
| LAW 739 | Health Information Privacy and Technology | 1-2 |
Specializations & Track
The Social Work/Law (MSW/JD) program has the following specialization and track option:
- 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.
The following course templates offer a guide on how to complete all course requirements within four years:
Full-Time MSW/JD Student Template
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 152 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| Perspective Elective | 2-3 | |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| Law | Law Elective (optional) | 0-2 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Law | Law Electives | 4 |
| Law | Rigorous Writing Elective | 2-3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| LAW 414 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| Law | LAW Electives | 5 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| Law | LAW Electives | 8 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Law | LAW Electives | 8 |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| Law | LAW Internship | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Law | Experiential Learning Elective 1 | 4 |
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Law | LAW Electives | 4 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SOWK | Track Course | 3 |
| Law | LAW Electives | 9 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| Study for Bar Exam in June and July | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- JD = 77 Credit Hr. Required (Plus 9 hrs. transfer in from MSW to equal 86 JD hours)
- MSW = 49 Credit Hr. Program (43 MSW credits on template, plus 6 hrs. transfer in from JD equals 49 MSW hours)
- This template is only a suggestion, but the order and the semester in which courses can be taken can vary. Please consult with MSW Advisor and JD liaison to the School of Social Work before making changes.
- Child Law Fellows need to work with their child law advisors to determine required Law classes and schedule.
- Any Law students seeking a specialization certificate need to meet with an administrator from the specialization program to determine required courses and schedule.
- 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.
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.