Dual Social Work and Law Degree Program
Program Description
Many of the problems of social injustice may be effectively addressed through interdisciplinary
efforts, particularly cooperative activities between the professions of law and social work.
Increasingly, social workers have been enrolling in law schools to add to their knowledge and
competence, and lawyers have been expanding their interests and activities in the social service
field.
The Dual Degree program offered by MSASS and the University's School of Law makes it
possible for full-time students to pursue an integrated program of studies and receive the M.S.S.A.
and J.D. degrees. This program allows completion of both degrees within four years rather than the
normal five years.
Dual Degree students develop an understanding of the methods, language, knowledge base,
research, and ethics of law and social work. Students prepare for careers in public interest or
family law, administration, supervision or direct provision of services, public policy, and
individual and family practice.
Program Structure and Requirements
Students have the option of beginning their studies at either the School of Law or MSASS. The
first-year course of study is completed at the school of the student's choice. The second year is
spent completing the first year of study at the cooperative school. During the third and fourth
years, the required courses in each discipline and fieldwork component are completed.
The School of Law allows 12 hours of credit for selected MSASS courses to be credited
toward the J.D. degree. MSASS allows 12 hours of credit for selected law courses at the School of
Law to be credited toward the M.S.S.A. degree. Although not required, applicants are encouraged
to apply to both schools simultaneously, since students who apply to the second school during the
first year of study will not be assured acceptance into the dual degree program. To be considered
a dual degree student and receive the benefits of cross-credit allowance, a student must
follow a curriculum that pursues both degrees simultaneously and receive a C grade or better to
receive cross-credit for the courses.
Applicants must comply with the application procedures, requirements, and deadlines for each
school. In addition to the LSAT requirement for the School of Law, MSASS requires a Miller's
Analogies Test or GRE score only for applicants whose grade point averages are below 2.7 on a 4.0
scale.
Field Education
Each student is required to complete four semesters of field education. The first two semesters
(601 and 602) are completed during the first year in the MSASS program. The advanced (603 and 604)
placement is completed during the third or fourth year of the program. For the advanced placement,
efforts are made to place the student in a human service setting embracing problem-solving
processes with legal implications.
For additional information, please contact:
Sarah Andrews, M.S.S.A.
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-7164
(216) 368-2327
ssb4@case.edu
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