Law & Social Work

Lawyers and social workers both work to serve individuals and communities through different disciplines. The Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work dual degree offered through the Saint Louis University School of Law and the College for Public Health and Social Justice allows you to combine those disciplines, equipping you not only with the training to practice law but with the in-depth knowledge of social conditions and the needs of individuals, groups and communities to promote well-being. 

• SLU's M.S.W. program is ranked in the top 20% of social work programs nationally and gives students the chance to hone skills in therapy, crisis intervention, veterans services, nonprofit administration and global social work.
• An M.S.W. gives a lawyer specialized insight into mental health, aging, homelessness, poverty, child welfare and many more issues. This insight is advantageous in practicing law of any kind, especially public interest law, family law and indigent defense. A lawyer can provide much needed legal tools to those most in need that a social worker alone cannot, such as representation in court and mediation in housing and unemployment disputes.
• Students complete their first-year core curriculum courses in the School of Law and then begin an integrated curriculum at both the School of Law and School of Social Work. Full-time students can complete the J.D./M.S.W. program in four years.

• Completed application​
• Undergraduate degree (most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better)
• Official transcript from a degree-granting institution
• Statement of purpose (about 500 words)
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• External reference recommendations (encouraged but not required)

Upon admission, a new student must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first term coursework.

• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

A J.D. and an M.S.W. allow graduates diverse career opportunities, including public defense, nonprofit management, public welfare administration, victim advocacy, service as a guardian ad litem, judiciary service and more. Other career paths include practice in family law, immigration law, health policy/health law, employment law, disability law, elder law, environmental law, or even corporate law while taking on pro bono cases as part of one's practice. A J.D. and an M.S.W. allow graduates diverse career opportunities, including public defense, nonprofit management, public welfare administration, victim advocacy, service as a guardian ad litem, judiciary service and more. Other career paths include practice in family law, immigration law, health policy/health law, employment law, disability law, elder law, environmental law, or even corporate law while taking on pro bono cases as part of one's practice.

Step 2: Set up your SLU Net ID

Step 3: Log into MySLU

Step 4: Check with your academic department

Step 5: Read the Saint Louis University Graduate Catalog

Step 6: Submit your immunization and health insurance forms

Step 7: Visit parking and card services to obtain your SLU ID card