Dec 27, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JD/MSW)


 

The Juris Doctor and Master of Social Work (JD/MSW) dual degree program is a four-year program. Students are required to complete 121 units of course work, including 76 units in the Gould School of Law and 45 units in the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work .

To earn the JD, all students (including dual degree students) must complete 37 numerically graded law units at USC after the first year. The associate dean may make exceptions to this rule for students enrolled in law school honors programs. Students must apply to both programs prior to matriculation. The program of study is as follows:

First and Second Years: Complete both the first year JD program of study and the first year program of study in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, which includes the required courses outlined in the Master of Social Work (Integrative Social Work) section of the catalogue. Students will take their remaining MSW units in specialized courses in the third year of the dual degree. Students will be advised into the appropriate courses. 

Third Year: Complete MSW coursework and resume JD coursework, per advisement.

Fourth Year: Complete the JD program.

The law school gives credit for the third semester in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, while the latter recognizes a law course as a substitution for the elective/special topics course requirement.