MSW & JD Social Work and Law at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

Achieve a unique and powerful skill set designed to help you make an incredible difference in the lives of vulnerable populations and legally address the social issues facing disadvantaged communities. Take your commitment to serving the community to the next level. Offered through the School of Law and the College of Social Work, this combination degree program prepares you for social justice work and advocacy using the tools and language of the legal system.

Faculty: College of Social Work / Joseph F. Rice School of Law | Duration: 135 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

Learn to fight oppression and discrimination, and protect and promote the development of all people. Become an attorney with clinical social work skills, and be prepared to discover and understand the special needs of people who are disadvantaged. Train as a social worker with legal skills to advocate more effectively for clients within the legal system.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Attorney, Public Analyst, Social Worker, Community Advocate, Nonprofit Leader.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): The College of Social Work and the School of Law participate in a combination degree program that allows individuals to complete both the Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor degrees in less time than completing the two degrees separately. Application to the M.S.W. Program is made through the USC Graduate School and application to the J.D. Program is made through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Application reviews, including required supplemental application materials required by the programs, and admission recommendations are made independently by the College of Social Work and by the School of Law. Official notification of admission into the M.S.W. Program will be made by the Graduate School. Students enrolled in both Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor courses in any term may be subject to fees for both programs. Students enrolled in either the M.S.W. or J.D. Program...

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific and listed per programme on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements pages.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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