Dual Degrees

Explore Dual Degrees

In an effort to offer as many opportunities as possible, Rutgers School of Social Work offers graduate dual degrees. Please note that students must apply to the MSW on-campus program to take part in the options below.

Questions? admissions@ssw.rutgers.edu

Comparison Chart

Eligible Programs
Years to Complete

Camden:
MSW/JD

Newark:
MSW/MA in Criminal Justice | MSW/JD

New Brunswick:
MSW/MPH | MSW/MPP | MSW/Ph.D. | MSW/M.Div.*

*MSW/M.Div. Open to students currently enrolled in the Princeton Theological Seminary

2 years:
MSW/MA in Criminal Justice

3 years:
MSW/MPH | MSW/MPP | MSW/M.Div.

4 years:
MSW/JD | MSW/Ph.D.

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

The School of Social Work, in collaboration with Rutgers School of Law-Camden and School of Law-Newark, has established an accelerated dual degree program in law and social work through which a student can obtain the JD and the MSW degrees. With the accelerated program, a full- time student can expect to complete the requirements for the two degrees in four years rather than the five years normally needed to complete both degrees separately. A student wishing to receive the two degrees will need to satisfy the admissions requirements of the School of Social Work and one of the Law Schools, and then needs to meet the academic standards of both programs throughout the course of study.

Eligible programs: Traditional- Newark and Camden
How to apply: New applicants to the school will complete the MSW/JD dual degree graduate application and the Rutgers Law School application. Approval from both schools is required to participate in the dual degree.
Years to complete: 4 years

Currently, the Graduate School of Social Work program is a two-year, sixty-credit program or a four-year part-time program. The Camden Law School and Newark Law School programs are three-year 84-credits programs. Each program will award a student in the dual degree program 12 credit hours for course work in the other program, for a total of twenty-four credit hours. The Law School will give credit toward the JD degree for the following Social Work three-credit courses: Evaluation of Social Work Practice and Programs; Advanced Contemporary Policy Requirement; Clinical Social Work I; and Clinical Social Work II. The Graduate School of Social Work will recognize any four advanced Camden or Newark Law School three credit courses (2nd or 3rd year courses) as meeting the twelve credits of electives now required. The dual degree program is appropriate for students in Social Work Nonprofit and Public Management (NPPM) or Clinical Social Work concentration who desire a legal foundation which will enhance their ability to function within the contemporary social service and social policy environments. The dual degree program is appropriate for law students who anticipate careers in the social service and social policy sectors of our society.

Application Information

Students will need to apply for admission to the Graduate School of Social Work and to either the School of Law-Camden or the School of Law-Newark. If interested in beginning the degree in the Law School, plesae contact the Camden School of Law Admissions Office or the Newark School of Law at admissions@law.rutgers.edu for application information. The program is open to new graduate applicants, as well as current students in their first year of study in either of the Law Schools or the School of Social Work. The application deadline for the School of Social Work is February 15, the deadline for Rutgers Law School in Camden and Newark is March 15th.

Course Scheduling

The courses required for the dual degree program must follow a specific sequence. You may choose one of two ways to complete your requirements. The first option is to begin at the School of Law and the second is to begin at the School of Social Work. Sample Schedule (PDF)

Combined MSW/Ph.D. Program

The School of Social Work offers a combined MSW/Ph.D. program. Students begin the first year in the MSW program and then begin integrating more advanced Ph.D coursework in subsequent years. The MSW/Ph.D program is highly competitive, with one or two students admitted annually. You may apply to the program by selecting the MSW/Ph.D. dual degree program on the graduate application. Current Rutgers MSW students may also apply in the first year as a matriculated student in the MSW Program. If you are a current MSW student interested in the dual degree, please speak with your academic advisor about applying.

Eligible programs: Traditional- New Brunswick
How to apply: Complete the dual degree MSW/Ph.D. graduate application (more information below)
Years to complete: 5-6 years
Admissions contact: Uri Yarmush at uyarmush@ssw.rutgers.edu

Application Information

The School of Social Work offers a Combined MSW/Ph.D. Program. Applicants may apply to the dual program as they begin their application for the School of Social Work, or they may apply in their first year as a matriculated student in the Rutgers MSW program. Current MSW students who wish to apply to the dual degree should speak with their academic advisor. Deadline for combined MSW/PhD application is December 15th.

All applications for the dual degree must go through the Graduate School New Brunswick application process. Application requirements for dual degree are (for new applicants to the School of Social Work):

Application to the combined MSW/Ph.D. program (you will select this dual degree option on the Graduate application)
Three letters of reference (at least one should be from a professor who can speak to your intellectual abilities and potential)
Two personal statements - one targeted at MSW degree and one at the Ph.D. program
Official Transcripts (sent directly from your University)
Submit a $70 application fee (this is for one application only)

It is anticipated that enrollment will be 1 or 2 highly qualified MSW students per year.

Students in the Combined Program must be registered full time. They will take a block practicum learning placement in the summer following completion of their foundation year in the MSW program, and begin taking Ph.D. courses in the Fall of their second year. The selection and sequencing of Ph.D. courses will be made in consultation with the Ph.D. Program Director and the student's faculty advisor.

For more information contact Uri Yarmush, Program Coordinator, uyarmush@ssw.rutgers.edu.