State University of New York at Albany

What you'll study

The curriculum is organized by year and mixes law and social work coursework:

• First year: Albany Law School core courses including First Year Seminar, Contracts I & II, Introduction to Lawyering I & II, Federal Civil Procedure, Torts, Professional Identity Formation, Property, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law.
• Second year: School of Social Welfare core courses such as Learning Community I & II, Social Justice and Social Work, Integrated Theory and Practice I–IV, Human Behavior and Social Environment I & II, Social Welfare Policy Practice, and Social Work Field Instruction I & II. Legal Profession and Professional Responsibility may be taken in the spring of year two or the summer between years two and three at Albany Law School.
• Third year: A mix of Albany Law School courses and Advanced Generalist coursework in the School of Social Welfare: Advanced Generalist concentration, two or three Advanced Clinical Practice courses, one Advanced Research course, plus Field Practicum III and IV.
• Fourth year: Albany Law School electives to complete JD requirements.

Field instruction includes two 500‑hour agency‑based practicums supervised by licensed social workers; most students complete each practicum by working about two days per week over two semesters. Potential practicum sites include addiction treatment centers, jails, child and adult protective services, criminal and family courts, advocacy organizations and homeless shelter agencies.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be separately admitted to both the Albany Law School JD program and the University at Albany MSW program. LSAT scores are required for the JD application; the GRE is not required for the MSW. Required application materials (for the MSW portion) include transcripts from all schools attended, a resume/CV, three letters of recommendation from professional or academic referees (not personal references), and a 3–5 page double‑spaced Statement of Background and Goals addressing self‑awareness, social justice values, and readiness for graduate social work education. Fall deadline: January 31 at 11:59 p.m. (other terms not available for consideration).

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to sit for the bar and to pursue New York State master social work licensure. Holding both JD and MSW licenses positions alumni for roles that bridge legal advocacy and social services: public legal aid, child advocacy, family court social work, victim assistance, disability law, juvenile justice administration, homeless services management, immigrant justice, elder abuse prevention, policy or litigation roles focused on social welfare, and academic or consulting careers.

Scholarships & funding angle

Tuition is set separately by Albany Law School and the University at Albany; the four‑year format reduces total time in school compared with completing the degrees sequentially, but applicants should budget for differing tuition rates between the two institutions. Consult each school’s financial aid office for institution‑specific scholarships, assistantship opportunities, and tuition details.