What is the Master of Social Work/Juris Doctor?
The MSW/JD is a dual degree program designed specifically for students who want to obtain both MSW and JD degrees. The program is structured to enable a student to obtain an MSW and a JD degree a full year sooner than if the student had chosen to pursue the degrees independently. Applicants who hold a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) can obtain an MSW and a JD in 3 years while applicants with an Honours degree in a related discipline can obtain the degree in 4 years. The course sequencing is planned so that students can gain experience in the two professions simultaneously, including two specialized courses that integrate law and social work knowledge, perspectives and professional identity.
MSW/JD graduates will be well positioned to serve the diverse and complex needs required of employers in the legal and/or human services. Children's Aid Societies, Office of the Children's Lawyer, and Legal Aid providers are possible employers of graduates from this program.
Please note this program is full time, held in person at the Univesity of Windsor campus.
Advanced Standing Three year program (students with a BSW)
Year One: Students complete their first year of Law courses in the Fall and Winter terms and they begin Social Work courses during the first summer of the program (May to August).
Year Two: Students take MSW advanced courses and Law courses including a specialized MSW/JD course in research and policy analysis (There are no courses the second summer).
Year Three: Students complete the MSW advanced coursework, Law electives and a second specialized MSW/JD course in Professional ethics and identity. Students also complete their MSW advanced practice internship for the completion of the MSW and JD degrees.
Regular Track Four year program (students without a BSW)
Year One: Students complete the first year foundation courses in the MSW program including a full-time foundation year practicum in the summer (May to August) that is social work specific.
Year Two: Students complete their first year of Law courses (Fall and Winter. There are no courses the second summer).
Year Three: Students take MSW advanced courses and Law courses including a specialized MSW/JD course in research and policy analysis. Year Four: Students complete the MSW advanced coursework, Law electives and a second specialized MSW/JD course in Professional ethics and identity. Students also complete their MSW advanced practice internship for the completion of the MSW and JD degrees.
Students must meet the admission requirements for both the MSW and JD programs.
MSW Admission requirements:
- Bachelor of Social Work degree (for Advanced Standing)
- Four year Honours degree in a related discipline (for Regular Track)
- Minimum grade point average of 73% based on the last two years of the qualifying Honours degree
- 1 statistics course related to Social Sciences
- 1 research methods course related to Social Sciences
JD Admission Requirements:
- OUAC/OLSAS Application
- University of Windsor Personal Profile
- All Official Transcripts
- Current official LSAT score report; LSAT scores written in the previous six years
- Two (2) letter os reference (one academic and one non-academic) on the forms specifically provided for this purpose (available on the OLSAS website)
Please note that you must apply to each program individually if you wish to be considered for admission to the MSW program or JD program only.
Applicants who apply separately for the MSW and JD programs will receive separate notifications of their acceptance into the individual programs. Being accepted or rejected by the MSW and JD programs independently will not automatically ensure acceptance or rejection into the MSW/JD program.
For additional information on Admissions, please contact:
MSW
Jasmine Mahmood
Graduate Secretary School of Social Work
519 253-3000 Ext: 6096
gradsw@uwindsor.ca
Law
Tess Sheldon (519 253-3000 Ext: 2943)