10 Best Social Work and Criminal Justice Dual Degree Online

In today’s complex world, there is a growing need for professionals who understand both the social work and criminal justice fields. A dual degree in these areas allows students to develop skills to serve individuals, families, and communities impacted by crime and the criminal justice system.

Social workers and lawyers collaborate frequently, whether in child welfare cases, mental health courts, or advocating for incarcerated individuals. A dual degree provides knowledge of theory, policy, human behavior, law, and social work practices to promote justice and ethical service.InformationGuideNigeria

Online programs allow working professionals to earn their degrees flexibly around work and life demands. This article reviews the top 10 accredited online social work and criminal justice dual degree programs for those seeking to make a difference through an interdisciplinary skillset.

10 Best Social Work and Criminal Justice Dual Degree Online

1. University of Southern California

The online MSW/JD dual degree at the University of Southern California provides the curriculum and field experiences to address complex social justice issues.

Students complete 78 units of coursework over 3-4 years, including classes like Social Welfare Policy and Services, Criminal Law, and Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Nine credits focus on intersectional topics like Multiculturalism, Diversity, and oppression.

Hands-on training occurs through two field placements of at least 600 hours combined. Students individualize their education through elective courses across social work, law, and public policy.

USC also offers dual degree students unique networking and career development opportunities.

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2. Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers an online MSW/MA in Criminal Justice to provide advanced clinical social work and criminological theory skills.

The 60-credit curriculum includes courses like Research Methods, Social Work Interventions, Criminological Theory, and Diversity and Criminal Justice. Students complete two supervised field practicums.

Unique courses include Victimology, Forensic Social Work, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Electives allow students to customize their interests in areas like homeland security, corrections, or victim advocacy.10 Best Social Work and Criminal Justice Dual Degree Online

CSU also provides all students with access to career guidance, webinars, and social justice centers focused on human rights and inclusion.

3. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan’s top-ranked online MSW/JD program focuses on leadership and specialized practice.

Over three years of full-time study, students complete 108 credits across both disciplines. Core courses provide foundations in social policy, law, ethics, intervention, and human behavior. Students then individualize their studies through numerous electives.

Experiential learning occurs through two field placements. Students also complete capstone courses that integrate social work and legal frameworks to solve complex social problems.

Unique concentrations are available, including Interpersonal Practice and Health, and Law and Social Work with Older Adults. Small cohort sizes encourage networking with faculty experts across disciplines.

4. University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s online MSW/JD emphasizes social justice and public service for marginalized communities.

The 90-unit curriculum spans three years of full-time study. Students take core courses in clinical social work, policy analysis, constitutional law, and programming for diverse populations.

Through fieldwork and clinics, students gain practical skills in advocacy, mediation, and human services delivery alongside legal training. Electives allow students to customize their interests; options include criminal practice, mediation, and poverty law.Best Taxi Apps in Nigeria

This program focuses on developing leaders to create social change through direct services, policy reform, and community empowerment. Students also network with social justice centers at one of the nation’s top public universities.

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5. Boston College

Boston College integrates social work’s commitment to human rights with law’s focus on justice in its online MSW/JD program.15 Best Business Schools in the World

Over three or four years, students complete 110 credits across both disciplines. Core classes provide foundations in social work theory, practice, and policy. Law courses build skills in legal analysis, reasoning, and specialized fields.

Students individualize their training through diverse electives and two field placements. The capstone project integrates both disciplines to address a complex social issue.

Small cohort sizes, clinical placements, and research centers provide specialized attention from faculty. Students emerge prepared to lead through direct practice, advocacy, and policy development.

6. Fordham University

Fordham University’s online MSW/JD brings together social work’s person-in-environment perspective with the law’s focus on rights and justice.105 Good Morning My Love Messages

The 108-credit curriculum spans three years of full-time study. Students build foundations in social work’s missions, theories, policies, research, and practice skills alongside an understanding of legal systems, policies, and critical analysis skills.

Specialized fieldwork experiences and clinics emphasize interdisciplinary integration. Students also complete capstone projects addressing complex social justice issues by applying social work and legal frameworks.

Electives allow students to customize their interests. Small cohorts encourage specialized faculty attention at this prominent Jesuit university.200 Romantic Message for Her

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7. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky offers an online MSW/JD to prepare students to lead change across both fields. The program takes three years to complete full-time.

Students complete core courses in social work practice, human behavior, social policy, and law. Specialized electives and field placements allow students to focus on direct practice, community development, or policy change.

Unique courses bring both disciplines together, including Mental Health Law, Family Law, and Poverty Law. Students complete 90-91 credit hours.

The UK also provides dual degree students with summer experiential residencies, interprofessional simulations, and education abroad opportunities. Graduates emerge skilled in systems change through practice, law, and policy.

8. Rutgers University

Rutgers University provides an online MSW/JD focused on social justice, human rights, and ethical service.

Over three years, students complete 115 credits across social work skills like policy, research, and practice and legal analysis, reasoning, and specialized topics. Signature experiential learning experiences emphasize interdisciplinary integration.

Areas like criminal law, poverty law, and family law bridge the disciplines through practice-focused courses. Custom electives allow students to focus on direct practice, community change, or leadership.

Small cohort sizes encourage networking with faculty mentors and experts. Graduates are prepared to address injustice and marginalization through an interdisciplinary skillset.

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9. University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee offers an online MSSW/JD blending social work’s strengths perspective with the law’s focus on rights and justice.

The 118 credit hour program takes three years of full-time study. Students build competencies in social work interventions, human behavior, policy, law, legal research, and specialized legal fields.

Experiential capstones, fieldwork, and clinics emphasize practical skills to address complex social problems. Electives allow students to focus on areas like children and families, healthcare, or mental health.

Small cohort sizes encourage personalized faculty mentoring. Graduates emerge skilled in providing ethical services and leading systems change.NYSC Portal

10. University of Southern California

USC’s online MSW/JD emphasizes social work’s strengths-based approach alongside legal analysis and reasoning skills.

Over three years, students complete 78 credits across both disciplines. Core social work classes build competencies in practice, policy, research, and human behavior. Law classes provide foundations of legal systems, policies, and critical thinking.

Field experiences emphasize interdisciplinary integration. Students also complete specialization courses in criminal justice, healthcare, or mental health that bridge social work and legal frameworks.

USC provides robust career support through residencies, mentorships, and networking with faculty and alumni across disciplines. Graduates are prepared to address injustice through an interdisciplinary lens.

Licensing Requirements

As a dual degree, these programs prepare graduates to pursue licensure in both social work and law.

To become a licensed social worker, students must complete their MSW from an accredited program and accumulate supervised clinical experience. They must then pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) master’s or clinical exam. Licensing requirements vary by state.

To practice law, graduates must pass the bar exam in the state where they wish to be licensed. Each state has its own bar exam and criteria for eligibility. Dual-degree students can sit for the bar exam without additional education in most states after completing their JD curriculum and passing an ethics exam.JAMB Portal

Read Also: 15 Best Online Colleges for Criminal Justice

Career Paths

A dual MSW/JD opens diverse career opportunities spanning both social work and law. Some common paths include:

• Mental health lawyer: Represent and advocate for individuals with mental illness in courts and healthcare settings.
• Child advocacy lawyer: Work for legal advocacy nonprofits protecting vulnerable children’s interests in custody, education, and welfare cases.
• Public defender: Provide legal representation for individuals who cannot afford it in the criminal justice system.
• Forensic social worker: Provide assessments, testimony, and interventions for courts in criminal and civil proceedings.
• Policy advocate: Analyze and reform policies related to social welfare, healthcare, juvenile justice, and education access.
• Clinical social worker: Provide therapy, assessments, and interventions informed by a legal perspective to vulnerable populations.

However, the interdisciplinary skillset allows professionals to address complex social issues through direct practice, law, policy advocacy, and reform leadership roles.

Conclusion

A dual degree in social work and criminal justice allows professionals to understand critical perspectives from each field. Online programs provide flexible access for working adults seeking to create change.

Also, the schools profiled offer accredited integrated curricula emphasizing justice, human rights, policy reform, and clinical practice skills. Small cohort sizes encourage personalized faculty mentoring. Practical experiences allow students to apply their interdisciplinary knowledge.

However, as social and legal systems grow increasingly complex, professionals with dual training are prepared to ethically serve vulnerable individuals and communities. These online social work and criminal justice programs empower graduates with the knowledge and skills to lead reform across both fields.

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