The Social Work MSW program was updated effective Fall 2025. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students admitted Summer 2025 and prior will follow the prior degree requirements outlined on the following prior bulletin pages:
- Social Welfare Joint M.S.W. (MACRO Concentration) and JD Program - Albany Law School (2024 Bulletin)
- Social Welfare Joint M.S.W. (Clinical Concentration) and JD Program - Albany Law School (2024 Bulletin)
The joint Master's in Social Work and Juris Doctor program (MSW/JD) combines a law degree with the MSW with an Advanced Generalist track. Students are able to earn both degrees in, at most, four years of full-time study, rather than the usual five. Recipients of the joint J.D./MSW degrees hold professional credentials for a broad range of careers in government, consulting, teaching, research, and law. Course work, a minimum of 123 credits (45-48 MSW credits and 75-78 JD credits), includes core and specialized courses in both schools and field placements in social work settings. The JD program requirements during the first and fourth years of study are completed at Albany Law School. The second year of study is completed at the School of Social Welfare and the third year combines courses from Albany Law School and the School of Social Welfare. The coursework leading towards this joint degree must begin at Albany Law School.
Each school's application procedures and admissions criteria are independent. Albany Law and the School of Social Welfare require that each student submit a complete application package and an application fee. Albany Law requires LSAT scores in addition to application material. Each university has an independent review process for the applications using their own criteria. Applicants are offered admission to each school independently. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into the other program.
Required Courses and Model Program
- Masters of Social Work – 45 to 48
- Juris Doctor – 75 to 78
- Total of 123 credits (over 4 years)
Year 1 - Full time at Albany Law School
- 32 Credits at Albany Law School
- 0 Credits at School of Social Welfare
Fall
- First Year Seminar Class (1)
- Contracts I (3)
- Introduction to Lawyering (3)
- Federal Civil Procedure (4)
- Torts (4)
- Professional Identity Formation (1)
Spring
- Contracts II (2)
- Property (4)
- Criminal Law (3)
- Introduction to Lawyering (3)
- Constitutional Law (4)
Year 2 - Full time at School of Social Welfare
- 30 Credits at School of Social Welfare
- 0 to 3 Credits at Albany Law School
Fall
- Ssw 550 Learning Community I (1)
- Ssw 604 Social Justice and Social Work (3)
- Ssw 605 ITP I: Foundations (3)
- Ssw 606 Integrated Theory and Practice II: Engagement and Assessment (3)
- Ssw 610 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
- Ssw 650 Field Instruction I (2)
Spring
- Ssw 551 Learning Community II (1)
- Ssw 600 Social Welfare Policy Practice (3)
- Ssw 607 Integrated Theory and Practice III: Action and Accompaniment (3)
- Ssw 611 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)
- Ssw 660 Integrated Theory and Practice IV: Research & Evaluation (3)
- Ssw 651 Field Instruction II (2)
- ALS Legal Profession/Professional Responsibility*
* May be taken during Spring or Summer
Year 3 -
- 15 to 18 Credits at School of Social Welfare
- 11 to 14 Credits at Albany Law School
Fall
- Ssw xxx Advanced Research (Area 3; 3 credits)
- Ssw xxx Advanced Practice Area 1 (6 credits)
- *Ssw Practice – Area 1 or approved ALS course (e.g. Family Law)
- Ssw 752 Field Instruction III (3)
Spring
- SSW 753 Field Instruction IV (3)
- Albany Law School Electives (one must be a course from the selected list of Albany Law courses approved by Social Welfare; 11 credits)
Year 4 - Full time Albany Law School
- 29 Credits at Albany Law School
- 0 Credits at School of Social Welfare
- Professional Responsibility* (3)
- Electives* (30)
*May be taken as a summer course
| Year | SUNY | ALS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32 | ||
| 2 | 30 | 3 | |
| 3 | 15 - 18 | 11 - 14 | |
| 4 | 29 | ||
| Total credits | 45 - 48 | 75 - 78 | 123 |
*** Notes:
1. 6 credits of ALS courses (from approved list) will be substituted for 6 credits from Social Welfare Advanced Practice Area 1
2. 9 credits of ALS courses (specifically Introduction to Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law) will substitute for 9 credits from Social Welfare Advanced Practice Area 2.
3. Approved list of ALS courses to substitute for Social Welfare Practice Area 2 may include: Critical Race, Civil Rights Liability Litigation, Client Interviewing and Counseling, Children, Juveniles and the Law, Family Violence Litigation, Immigration Law Clinic, and Family Law. Other courses to be identified by SSW or ALS upon review of ALS curriculum)
4. Albany Law requirements to complete the JD degree include: Con Law II, Evidence, upper level writing, 6 credits of experiential experiences, of which one must come from the clinic/field placement area.
5. xxx indicates course selected from approved lists as per advisement.
Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Social Work MSW program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Social Work MSW program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.
It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.