Dual-Degree: Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work

Program: Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work
Cooperating Institution: University of Connecticut School of Social Work

The JD/MSW degree is designed for students who are interested in the social impact of the legal system upon individuals. Students pursue this degree to prepare for careers in fields such as public interest law, mental health law, elder law, women's rights, penology, juvenile advocacy, human services administration, community organizing and public policy and planning. The dual degree program is highly individualistic in nature in order to provide each student with the best possible combination of these two disciplines.

Admission Requirements and Course of Study: All students who wish to pursue a dual degree program must first be granted separate admission into both programs. A dual degree enrollment form, approved by each school will also be required. Students in the dual degree program may obtain both degrees in 4 years, compared with five years, if both degrees were pursued separately. Study is generally begun at the School of Law, where during the first year, students will complete a minimum of 33 credits of required curriculum study. During the second year, students will complete a minimum of 6 social work courses, their first year field placement and a minimum of 2 law courses. Year three will consist of a minimum of 3 social work courses, a law school clinical experience (which will satisfy the School of Social Work's second year field placement requirement), and 6 law school courses. During year four, students will take all remaining credits. Additionally, all students must comply with the rules regarding credit load limitations. When credits from both programs are combined, without prior approval from the Associate Dean, full time students may not exceed 16 credits and part time students may not exceed 11 credits per semester.

Completion Requirements: In addition to satisfaction of the requirements of both programs of study, dual degree candidates are required to complete these programs concurrently. The final award of transfer credit is contingent upon completion of both programs.

Transfer Agreement: The JD degree program requires completion of 86 credits (including all required first-year courses, a course in Legal Ethics and Responsibility, and an intensive, analytical paper which satisfies a writing requirement). The MSW degree program requires completion of 60 credits (including Social Work Basics, methods courses in the student's selected concentration, two field placements, electives). The School of Law will accept 12 credits from among a student's advanced MSW courses for transfer. The School of Social Work will accept 10 credits of clinical education credits earned at the School of Law when taken in conjunction with field placement at the School of Social Work. Additionally, the School of Social Work will accept 8 credits of non-clinical work earned at the School of Law.

Law Courses Acceptable for Transfer to the MSW Program:

  • Administrative Law
  • Civil and Political Rights
  • Center for Children's Advocacy
  • Clinic: Poverty Law
  • Elder Law
  • Employment Discrimination Law
  • Family Law
  • Health Care Law: Regulation and Financing
  • Juvenile Law
  • Law and Medicine
  • Law and Public Education
  • Mental Health Law
  • Street Law

MSW Courses Acceptable for Transfer to the JD Program (12 Credits):

  • The School of Law will accept 12 credits from among a student's advanced MSW courses for transfer.

Faculty Advisors

University of Connecticut School of Law
Professor Paul Chill
65 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
860/570-5201

University of Connecticut School Social Work
Catherine M. Havens, Associate Dean
1798 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
860/570-9141