Law and Social Welfare Graduate Certificate

At least three (3) graduate credit hours for the certificate must be earned outside of the requirements of the degree(s) and other certificates.

Law Doctrinal Requirement: At least three credit hours from among the following courses:

LAW 848 – Civil Rights Actions
3 Credit Hours
Police practices and constitutional rights of persons charged with crimes: arrest; search and seizure; identification; interrogation and confessions; electronic eavesdropping; and right to counsel.
Litigation to vindicate constitutional rights in private actions against the government and its officials, as well as rights protected by other civil rights legislation: elements of cause of action under 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983; actions against federal government officials under the Bivens doctrine; institutional and individual immunities; relationship between state and federal courts in civil rights actions; and remedies for violations of constitutional and other civil rights.

LAW 854 – Investigatory Criminal Procedure
3 Credit Hours
Police practices and constitutional rights of persons charged with crimes: arrest; search and seizure; identification; interrogation and confessions; electronic eavesdropping; and right to counsel.

LAW 855 – Adjudicatory Criminal Procedure
3 Credit Hours
Pre- and post-trial procedures in criminal case: bail; preliminary hearing; grand jury; prosecutorial discretion; discovery’ speedy trial; plea bargaining; jury trial; and double jeopardy. Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

LAW 862 – Family Law
3 Credit Hours
Survey of laws affecting formal and informal family relationships: premarital disputes; ante nuptial contracts; creation of common law and formal marriage; legal effects of marriage; support obligations within family; legal separation, annulment, divorce, alimony, and property settlements; child custody and child support; abortion; illegitimacy.

LAW 933 – Elder Law
3 Credit Hours
Offers a holistic, real world practical approach to introduce the practice of elder law. Students, through the use of case studies unique to each student, develop a cohesive client plan, which requires the student to consider issues surrounding health care benefits, insurance coverage, real and personal property ownership, estate and tax planning, advanced care planning, and levels of care. Will discuss ethical and cultural issues impacting the elderly, including end of life issues, the effects of dementia on decision-making, removal of rights of incapacitated persons, and how race, age, gender, ethnicity and religious affiliation affect long term care for seniors.

LAW 990 – Special Topics and other courses as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Social Work Doctrinal Requirement: Students will take ONE three credit course chosen from:

SOWK 503 – Introduction to Interpersonal Social Work Practice
3 Credit Hours
A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab, which covers micro and mezzo practice, specifically with individuals, families, and small groups. Introduces the profession of social work, its history, ethical code, and theories related to interpersonal practice with an emphasis on social justice, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional practice. Will allow students to compare and contrast evidence-based interventions and models of social work practice with clients/client systems in the context of social work values, attention to all forms of diversity, and professional engagement with clients.

SOWK 511 – Introduction to Macro Social Work Practice
3 Credit Hours
A required generalist course covers systemic macro practice, specifically communities, organizations, and leadership roles. A range of methods, strategies, and skills applicable to diverse macro settings are examined. Taking into consideration the historical and contemporary relevance of macro practice, students will explore issues of social justice, inequality, and systemic oppression.

Students must also take at least three credit hours from among the following courses:

SOWK 510 – Social Welfare Policy and Programs (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 515 – Human Development in Context: Pre-Natal to Adolescence(3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 531 – Trauma Theory (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 535 – School Social Work (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 538 – Social Justice and Anti-oppressive Practices (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 545 – Resource Development and Management (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 564 – Substance Use Disorders (3 Credit Hours)
SOWK 573 – Forensic Social Work (3 Credit Hours)

Other College of Social Work courses as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in consultation with the MSSW Program Director

Law Experiential Requirement: At least six credit hours from among the following courses:

LAW 905 – Advocacy Clinic (6 Credit Hours)
LAW 908 – Mediation Clinic (3 Credit Hours)
LAW 911 – Family Law Mediation Clinic (6 Credit Hours)
LAW 951 – Domestic Violence Clinic (3 Credit Hours)
LAW 953 – Wills Clinic (4 Credit Hours)
LAW 948 – Public Defender Externship (6 Credit Hours)
LAW 992 – Field Placements (up to 6 Credit Hours) as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
LAW 982 – Semester in Residence Placement (10 Credit Hours) as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Law Skills/Perspective Requirement: At least one credit hour from among the following courses:
LAW 914 – Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 Credit Hours)
LAW 929 – Interviewing and Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
LAW 906 – Expungement Mini-Clinic (1 Credit Hour)
LAW 990 – Issues in the Law (3 Credit Hours)
LAW 993 – Directed Research Paper (1 Credit Hour) as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
LAW 994 – Independent Study (1 Credit Hour) as approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs