Nov 30, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Dual Degree: Master of Social Work & Juris Doctor


Plan Description


The Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JD/MSW) dual degree program allows students to be admitted to both programs and to pursue the two degrees concurrently.

Pursued individually, the JD requires the completion of 89 credit hours and the MSW requires the completion of 63 credit hours. The dual MSW/JD degree would require the completion of 80 law credit hours and 54 social work credit hours, as 9 hours of law courses are accepted toward the MSW and 9 hours of social work courses are accepted toward the JD.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Applicants to the JD/MSW degree program must apply for, and gain admission to, both the Boyd School of Law JD program and to the School of Social Work MSW program, respectively. Admission requirements are the same as those listed under the regular JD and MSW programs.

While applications from current students in either program will be considered, students normally should seek and satisfy admission to enter both programs upon entering the university. However, petitions requesting admission to the dual JD/MSW program from students at more advanced stages in either program will be considered. Those interested are encouraged to submit a request for permission to participate in the program, along with applications for admission, at the earliest possible time. Contact the William S. Boyd School of Law at (702) 895-2440 and the UNLV School of Social Work programs at (702) 895-3311 for further information on admissions requirements.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Direct Practice Concentration


Total Credits Required: 134

Course Requirements 

Total Credits Required for the Social Work M.S.W.: 54

Required Courses – Credits: 27

SW 701 - Social Welfare Policy I 

SW 703 - Social Welfare Policy II 

SW 715 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I 

SW 716 - Social Work Research I 

SW 719 - Foundation Practicum I 

SW 720 - Foundation Practice Methods I 

SW 726 - Social Work Research II 

SW 729 - Foundation Practicum II 

SW 730 - Macro Theory and Practice 

Direct Practice Courses – Credits: 24

SW 707 - Contemporary Issues in Diversity 

SW 739 - Field Practicum I (DP) 

SW 740 - Direct Practice I 

SW 747 - DSM: Assessment and Diagnosis 

SW 749 - Field Practicum II (DP) 

SW 750 - Direct Practice II 

SW 776 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Social Work 

SW 785 - Special Topics in Advanced Policy 

Capstone Course – Credits: 3

SW 795 - Capstone Seminar 

 

Total Credits Required for the Juris Doctor: 80

Required Courses – Credits: 44

Free Electives at Law School – Credits: 24

Directed Electives at Law School – Credits: 12

Degree Requirements 

Complete course work with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Management and Community Practice Concentration


Total Credits Required: 134

Course Requirements 

Total Credits Required for the Social Work M.S.W.: 54

Required Courses – Credits: 27

SW 701 - Social Welfare Policy I 

SW 703 - Social Welfare Policy II 

SW 715 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I 

SW 716 - Social Work Research I 

SW 719 - Foundation Practicum I 

SW 720 - Foundation Practice Methods I 

SW 726 - Social Work Research II 

SW 729 - Foundation Practicum II 

SW 730 - Macro Theory and Practice 

Management and Community Practice Courses – Credits: 24

SW 707 - Contemporary Issues in Diversity 

SW 759 - Field Practicum I (MCP) 

SW 760 - Management and Community Practice I 

SW 765 - Financial Management and Resource Development 

SW 769 - Field Practicum II (MCP) 

SW 770 - Management and Community Practice II 

SW 775 - Advanced Policy Practice 

SW 776 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Social Work 

Capstone Course – Credits: 3

SW 795 - Capstone Seminar 

 

Total Credits Required for the Juris Doctor: 80

Required Courses – Credits: 44

Free Electives at Law School – Credits: 24

Directed Electives at Law School – Credits: 12

Degree Requirements 

Complete course work with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Plan Graduation Requirements


  1. Students cannot graduate from one portion of the dual degree until the requirements for both are met. Students must apply to graduate from both programs for the same semester.
  2. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  3. Successfully complete the capstone seminar.