This degree program is offered by the Law School and the School of Social Work. The program offers students the opportunity to work toward both the JD and the MSW (Master of Social Work). The program is designed so that all requirements can be completed in four to four-and-a-half years. 

Students obtaining a dual degree in Law and Social Work often choose a career in social justice work. Some areas of interest include children, family, immigration, labor, LGBTQ, women, or human rights work. Graduates of the program are employed in the court systems (federal and state, children, family, criminal); child welfare and other human service systems; work as negotiators and mediators; work with nonprofit organizations; and for social welfare policy think-tanks and advocacy groups.

Students must take the complete sequence of first-year courses in one school during the first year of enrollment, and the complete sequence of first-year courses in the other school during the second year of enrollment. Each school will apply its own deferred admissions standard to students who elect to begin the program at the other school. At the outset, students are encouraged to work closely with their Social Work adviser, as well as keep in close contact with the Law School.

Information contained herein is valid as of 2/26/19 and is subject to change.

Contact the applicable admissions office or dual degree resource for more information.

Requirements

  • JD Requirements

    Students entering the Law School must complete the required first-year law curriculum. Students must take one elective course of three or four credit hours during their second semester. All students must complete the following before graduation: at least one international or comparative law course of two or more credit hours, at least one upper-level course with a rigorous writing component, one statutory or regulatory course of three or more credit hours, one course in professional responsibility of two or more credit hours, and two credit hours of experiential learning. Separate courses must be taken to fulfill the upper-level course with a rigorous writing component, the professional responsibility course, and the experiential learning course.

    The JD requires a minimum total of 83 credits earned between Law School courses and courses through the School of Social Work. Students must earn at least 71 credits toward the JD through courses taken in the Law School. 

    Twelve (12) credit hours may be taken from the satisfaction of requirements for the MSW. If you are admitted to the School of Social Work, you must notify both the Law School’s Office of Student Records and Office of Student Life.

  • MSW Requirements

    The MSW requires a total of 60 credit hours, including foundation and concentration requirements.

    Fifteen (15) credit hours may be satisfied by appropriate courses taken in the Law School.

  • Additional Requirements

    Applicants must gain separate and independent admission to both the Law School and the School of Social Work, and should contact the Law School Admissions Office and School of Social Work Office of Student Services for application and admission information. If you are enrolled in a graduate program in another school or department at the University, the Law School will accept a valid GRE, GMAT, or MCAT score in lieu of an LSAT score; otherwise, a valid LSAT score is required.

    Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school, and should consult with advisers in each school for the precise graduation requirements for each degree and for information about course offerings. Law School courses are not offered in the summer term. Students will not receive credit toward the JD for non-law coursework taken prior to matriculation at the Law School. Students should consult with the adviser at the companion school concerning credit toward the MSW for Law coursework. 

    During the third and fourth years of the program, students are permitted to elect courses in both schools. Tuition will be assessed at either the Law School or the School of Social Work rate, whichever is higher, when courses toward both degrees are taken in one term.

    At the beginning of their final year of study in the combined program, students should consult with both their School of Social Work academic adviser and the Law School’s Office of Student Records regarding forms that need to be completed prior to graduation.

    The combined degree is not open to those who have already earned either the JD or the MSW. Students who are registered in the first or second year at the Law School or the first year at the School of Social Work may apply for admission to the dual degree program.

  • Please Note

    Any JD who enrolls concurrently in another degree program will be awarded the JD degree after completing all of the requirements for the dual, joint, or combined degrees. (As a practical matter, this means that the student will receive the JD degree either after or at the same time as they receive the degree(s) in the other program(s).) This policy will not affect the student’s class year for purposes of the Law School’s commencement ceremony or alumni events, and it will not apply if a student discontinues the other degree program(s). A law student who believes that they will experience some hardship as a result of this policy may petition the Associate Dean for Academic Programming for an exception.

    JD courses traditionally have a later grading deadline than other degree programs. On some occasions, this later JD grading deadline may affect a student in their final term if another degree program desires all of the student’s grades prior to the JD grading deadline.

Contact Information

Law School Admissions Office
University of Michigan Law School
Jeffries Hall, Suite 2200
701 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-1215

Phone: 734.764.0537
Email: law.jd.admissions@umich.edu 
 

Office of Student Life (dual degree programs)
University of Michigan Law School
316 Hutchins Hall
625 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-1215

Phone: 734.764.0516
Email: law.dual.degrees@umich.edu


Office of Student Records
University of Michigan Law School
300 Hutchins Hall 
625 S. State Street 
Ann Arbor, MI  48109-1215

Phone: 734.763.6499
Email: lawrecords@umich.edu


School of Social Work
Office of Student Services
1080 S. University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.936.0961

Email: ssw.msw.info@umich.edu
Website: ssw.umich.edu/admissions/msw/apply