JD-Master of Social Work
Practice at the Intersection of Law and Social Work
When it comes to advocating for vulnerable populations, the law is your greatest ally. Our JD/Master of Social Work dual degree combines the knowledge and skills from the legal and social work fields.
Vital Curriculum
Lawyers and social workers serve individuals and communities through different disciplines. As a JD/MSW student, offered through the WVU College of Law and the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, you’ll combine these disciplines to practice law with a deep understanding of social conditions and community needs. Our program integrates the study of law with the latest knowledge and practice of social work.
Courses include:
- Social Work Policy Analysis, Advocacy and Deliberation
- Social Welfare Policy and Programs
- Advanced Integrated Practice: Families and Groups
- Advanced Integrated Practice: Organizational Administration and Leadership
Competitive Career Opportunities
Our JD/MSW offers attorneys specialized insight into issues like mental health, poverty, homelessness, aging, and child welfare, creating a unique advantage. With legal training, they can provide court representation and mediation that social work alone cannot.
Career Pathways
- Public interest law
- Family law
- Immigration law
- Health policy and law
- Employment law
- Disability law
- Elder law
- Indigent criminal defense
- Environmental law and justice
- Nonprofit management
- Public welfare administration
- Victim advocacy
- …And more.
How to Apply
Students interested in the JD/MSW program must apply and be admitted separately to Eberly College’s School of Social Work MSW program and the College of Law’s JD program. Each applicant is responsible for completing all standardized tests required for admission and for completing all requirements for graduation for each degree.