The goal of the J.D./MSW Dual Degree Program is to prepare students with combined skills in both social work and law for professional practice with complex social and legal issues, in areas where social work and law converge. Although graduates of this program will be particularly well-prepared to work with clients having problems in the area of mental health, children and youth, family relations, and the elderly, they will also possess the knowledge and skills necessary to work in any area where the legal system interacts with the social services delivery system (e.g., criminal and juvenile justice administration, legal services to disadvantaged persons, housing and community development). The program curriculum meets all applicable American Bar Association and Council on Social Work Education accreditation guidelines.

Every effort will be made to place students in field education settings that will contribute to their individual goals in the Dual Degree Program. Field education training opportunities are available through a variety of agencies, programs, and services offered at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

Program details and current information can be found in the J.D./MSW Dual Degree Program link at www.washburn.edu/msw.

Admission

Students must separately apply to and be accepted by both academic programs. Students are asked to indicate to each program, at the time of application, that they are applying to the J.D.-MSW Dual Degree Program.

Degree Requirements

If pursued separately, the two-degree programs would require a total of 153 credit hours (i.e., 90 hours for Law and 63 hours for Social Work). However, in the Dual Degree Program, certain courses are accepted for credit by both schools. Each program will accept two 3-credit courses (total of 6 credits) from specified courses completed successfully in the other program. For an advanced standing student with all course waivers, this reduces the total number of credit hours to 111 (a reduction of 12 credit hours across both programs). For a regular standing student, the total number of credit hours required is reduced to 144 (a reduction of 12 credit hours). Students will typically complete most of their course work in the MSW Program before beginning the J.D. Program, although it is possible for a student to start in the Law School, complete most of the J.D. requirements, and then begin and complete the MSW degree requirements.