STG, Law, Juris Doctor / Master of Social Work

STG JD / MSW: Introduction

Overview

The Combined Degree Program (CDP): STG, Law, Juris Doctor / Master of Social Work combines the Faculty of Law's interdisciplinary teaching environment with its commitment to public interest law. The program is designed for students who wish to practise in the areas in which law and social work interact (for example, child welfare, mental health, social policy, human rights, Indigenous populations).

The CDP permits completion of both the Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees in four years rather than the five years it would take to acquire them independently.

Students in the following MSW fields who enter with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will be given advanced standing and are exempted from completing Year 1 of the MSW. They will complete Years 1, 3, and 4 of the CDP only, thereby completing the CDP in three years.

  • Children and Their Families;
  • Gerontology;
  • Health and Mental Health;
  • Human Services Management and Leadership;
  • Social Justice and Diversity.

The MSW field in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency does not have an advanced-standing option.

For a general description of CDPs, see General Regulations section 1.4.3.

Contact

Law, Juris Doctor / Master of Social Work
www.law.utoronto.ca/academic-programs/jd-program/combined-programs/jdmsw-social-work
socialwork.utoronto.ca/programs/msw/msw-combined-programs/

Juris Doctor Program
Faculty of Law
Email: law.admissions@utoronto.ca

Master of Social Work Program
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Email: michael.saini@utoronto.ca

STG JD / MSW: Application Process

  • Applicants must apply to the Juris Doctor (JD) program, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, and the CDP.

  • Applicants must gain independent admission to both the JD and MSW programs before they may be considered for admission to the CDP.

  • Applicants admitted to the JD and MSW must inform both programs of their status and request admission to the CDP.

    • Applicants may also be considered for the CDP while they are in Year 1 of the JD or MSW program. Interested students should contact the Faculty of Law or Faculty of Social Work about this before applying to the CDP.

STG JD / MSW: Requirements (fields: Children and Their Families; Gerontology; Health and Mental Health; Human Services Management and Leadership; Social Justice and Diversity)

Fields:
Children and Their Families;
Gerontology;
Health and Mental Health;
Human Services Management and Leadership;
Social Justice and Diversity

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the JD program, the School of Graduate Studies, and the MSW program.
  • Students with a BSW from a recognized university may be admitted with advanced standing.

Academic Path to Completion

Every CDP involves a specific combination of approved degree programs. The CDP requirements build on those of the two separate degree programs. Each CDP has a unique pattern of academic activity year by year.

YearProgressionSpecific Requirements
1
  • Year 1 JD program requirements.
  • Complete all Year 1 courses of the JD program at the Faculty of Law.
2
  • Year 1 MSW program requirements.
  • Alternatively, students who enter with a BSW (i.e., advanced standing) are exempt from Year 1 MSW requirements and may progress to the requirements of Years 3 and 4.
3 and 4
  • Complete JD credits and MSW program requirements.
  • Complete 32 JD credits including a moot, a perspective course, and an international/comparative/transnational (ICT) perspective course.
  • Complete all course requirements for one of the MSW fields chosen from:
    • Children and Their Families;
    • Gerontology;
    • Health and Mental Health;
    • Social Justice and Diversity;
    • Social Service Administration.
  • Complete the Year 2 MSW practicum (SWK4702Y) in Year 3 of the CDP. Advanced-standing students complete the Year 2 MSW practicum in Year 2 of the CDP.
  • Complete 6 JD credits or 1.0 FCE in integrated courses:
    • LAW345Y1 (3 JD credits) plus a directed reading project (3 JD credits) or a directed reading course (3 JD credits) or
    • integrated law and social work courses (1.0 FCE).

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

5 years

STG JD / MSW: Requirements (field: Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency)

Field: Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the JD program, the School of Graduate Studies, and the MSW program.
  • Students with a BSW from a recognized university may be admitted with advanced standing.

Academic Path to Completion

Every CDP involves a specific combination of approved degree programs. The CDP requirements build on those of the two separate degree programs. Each CDP has a unique pattern of academic activity year by year.

YearProgressionSpecific Requirements
1
  • Year 1 JD program requirements.
  • Complete all Year 1 courses of the JD program at the Faculty of Law.
2
  • Year 1 MSW — Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency field requirements.
3 and 4
  • Complete JD credits and MSW — Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency field requirements.
  • Complete 32 JD credits including a moot, a perspective course, and an international/comparative/transnational (ICT) perspective course.
  • Year 3: complete the following MSW courses: SWK4901H, SWK4111H, and SWK4517H.
  • Years 3 and 4: complete the following MSW courses: SWK4902H, SWK4903H, SWK4904H, and SWK4905H.
  • Year 3 or Year 4: complete the practicum SWK4703Y.
  • Complete 6 JD credits or 1.0 FCE in integrated courses:
    • LAW345Y1 (3 JD credits) plus a directed reading project (3 JD credits) or a directed reading course (3 JD credits) or
    • integrated law and social work courses (1.0 FCE).
  • Complete a law-related field practicum placement (8 law credits or suite of 8 to 12 courses).

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

5 years