Social Welfare Joint M.S.W. (Clinical Concentration) and JD Program - Albany Law School

The joint Master's in Social Work and Juris Doctor program (MSW/JD) combines a law degree with the MSW with a concentration in Clinical or MACRO. 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 125 credits (51 MSW credits and 74 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 – 51
Juris Doctor – 74
Total of 125 credits (over 4 years)

Year 1 - Full time at Albany Law School
            31 Credits at Albany Law School
0 Credits at School of Social Welfare

Fall  
Legal Methods (1)
Contracts (3)
Property I (3)
Introduction to Lawyering (2)
Introduction to Civil Procedure (3)
Torts (4)

Spring
Contracts (3)
Property II (3)
Criminal Law (3)
Introduction to Lawyering (2)
Constitutional Law (4)

Year 2 - Full time at School of Social Welfare
31 Credits at School of Social Welfare
                 0 Credits at Albany Law School

Fall
SSW 600 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)
SSW 610 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
SSW 620 Micro Practice in Social Work I (3)
SSW 630 Macro Practice in Social Work I (3)
SSW 650 Field Instruction I (3)

Spring
SSW 611 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)
SSW 621 Micro Practice in Soc Work II (3)
SSW 631 Macro Practice in Soc Work II (3)
SSW 660 Introduction to Research (3)
SSW 651 Field Instruction II (4)

Year 3 - 20 Credits at School of Social Welfare
10 Credits at Albany Law School

Fall
SSW 7xx Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
SSW 7xx Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
SSW 7xx Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
SSW 661 Evaluation of Clinical Practice (3)
SSW 752 Field Instruction III (4)

Spring
SSW 753 Field Instruction IV (4)
Albany Law School Electives (10)

Year 4 - Full time Albany Law School
33 Credits at Albany Law School
0 Credits at School of Social Welfare 

Professional Responsibility* (3)
Electives* (30)

*May be taken as a summer course

Overview:  Year by School by Credit

Year	SUNY	ALS
1		31
2	31
3	20	10
4		33
Total credits	51	74	125

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.