Dual Degree Program Master of Social Work/Juris Doctor (MSW/JD)
Increasingly, social work and legal issues are intersecting in the private and public domains. In conjunction with the Western New England University School of Law, the Springfield College School of Social Work has developed a dual master of social work/juris doctor (MSW/JD) degree program that provides students to complete both degrees within four, rather than five, years. This program requires full-time study.
Equipped with social work and legal skills, students will be prepared to meet the multiple challenges found in many areas of practice such as child welfare, education, mental health, family mediation, criminal and juvenile justice, advocacy, and human rights.
Those interested in this program must apply to each program separately. You may contact the Springfield College Department of Social Work at (413) 748-3060 or the WNE School of Law on the web.
Master of Social Work/Juris Doctor Dual Degree Curriculum
Effective for the current year for Incoming Students. Returning students should refer to advising sheets found in Resources.
| Year One or Two (Springfield College School of Social Work) | |
| MSSW 601 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1 | 3 |
| MSSW 602 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 2 | 3 |
| MSSW 611 Social Policy 1 | 3 |
| MSSW 612 Social Policy 2 | 3 |
| MSSW 621 Research 1 (If needed) | 3 |
| MSSW 631 Social Work Practice 1 | 3 |
| MSSW 632 Social Work Practice 2 | 3 |
| MSSW 684 & 685 Field Practicum 1 (1st & 2nd half) | 7 |
| MSSW 674 Field Seminar 1 | .5 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 28.5 or 31.5 |
| Year One or Two (Western New England University School of Law) | |
| Introduction to Law | 1 |
| Constitutional Law I | 4 |
| Contracts | 4 |
| Criminal Law | 4 |
| Civil Procedure | 4 |
| Property | 4 |
| Torts | 4 |
| Legal Research and Writing | 4 |
| Introduction to the Legal Profession | 1 |
| Total | 30 |
| Year Three (Western New England University School of Law) | |
| Business Organizations | 3 |
| Income Taxation | 3 |
| Evidence | 3 |
| Electives and other requirements towards JD | 23 |
| Total | 32 |
| Year Four (SC SSW & WNE SoL) | |
| MSSW 603 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 3 | 3 |
| MSSW 613 Social Policy 3 OR MSSW 623 Research 2 (Formerly Research 3) | 3 |
| MSSW 633 Social Work Practice 3 | 3 |
| MSSW 634 Social Work Practice 4 | 3 |
| MSSW 686 & 687 Field Practicum 2 (1st & 2nd half) | 7 |
| MSSW 676 Field Seminar 2 | .5 |
| Electives in Law* | 12 |
| Total | 31.5 |
- *There is an approved list of elective courses that can be transferred from the Law School. A total of 12 credits are required.
- MSW/JD students must be full-time students and matriculated in both the Springfield College School of Social Work and the Western New England University School of Law. If accepted at the School of Social Work first, students have until mid-March of the first year at the School of Social Work to apply to the program at Western New England University School of Law. If accepted to the School of Law, students have until mid-March of the first year at the School of Law to apply to the program at Springfield College School of Social Work.
- MSW/JD students take courses in the Weekday Program at the School of Social Work.
- MSSW 621 Research 1 is a prerequisite in the dual degree program and will be waived without credit.
- Students will take either MSSW 623 Research 2 or MSSW 613 Social Policy 3. Students who take MSSW 623 Research 2 must take Law and Social services or Poverty Law as an elective course in the School of Law. Students who take MSSW 613 Social Policy 3 must take Advanced Research in Law or Law 951 or 952 as an elective course in the School of Law.
- Year 1 or Year 2 may occur at either the Springfield College School of Social Work or at Western New England University school of Law.
