FAQ

How do I Apply to the Program?

Before being considered for admission to the JD/MSW program, candidates must apply and be admitted to both Gonzaga School of Law and the Eastern Washington University School of Social Work. Candidates must meet all of the admissions criteria for each school individually and apply via each school's normal admissions process.

It is conceivable that a candidate for the dual-degree program will be admitted to either the Law School or the School of Social Work, but not both, or will be admitted separately to both schools, but not to the dual-degree program. In that case, the student must decide whether to attend the Law School, the School of Social Work, or both, but will not be able to complete both degrees under the auspices of the dual-degree program.

Candidates for admission to the dual-degree program must indicate on their applications to the respective schools that they are applying for admission to the dual-degree program.

What is the Application Deadline?

Candidates for the JD/MSW Dual Degree must comply with the admissions deadlines of the respective schools. Candidates who have been admitted to both Gonzaga School of Law and the Eastern Washington University School of Social Work will be notified of their acceptance into the dual-degree program on or before May 1st.

Do I Have to Take the LSAT?

Yes. Candidates must meet all of the requirements for admission for each school. This includes taking the LSAT and achieving a score that supports your admission to Gonzaga Law School.

Who do I Contact First?

For information about admission to the dual-degree program, candidates should simultaneously contact the admissions offices of both Gonzaga Law School* and Eastern Washington University School of Social Work* and go through the admissions process for each school.

*Contact numbers are located in the right-hand panel 

How Many Students Will be Accepted?

A maximum of four (4) students per year will be accepted into the program.

What is the Tuition?

Students will pay tuition at the normal rate charged by Gonzaga Law School for law-school classes, and at the normal rate charged by Eastern Washington University for classes at the School of Social Work. Financial aid for dual-degree program students will be administered by Gonzaga University.

How Many Years Does the Program Take?

For most dual-degree students, the program will be completed in four years, including coursework taken over the summers. Some dual-degree students who meet Eastern Washington University’s requirements for “Advanced Standing” may complete the program in three years, including coursework taken over the summers. Students who have “Advanced Standing” and wish to apply for the dual-degree must do so prior to beginning their studies at Eastern Washington University.

Do I Attend Both Schools at the Same Time?

Typically, students in the dual-degree program will spend their first year of study entirely at the Law School or the School of Social Work. Students must take and complete the entire first year of the law school curriculum as an intact unit; therefore, students who spend their first year of study at the School of Social Work will then spend their entire second year at the Law School. Students will split their time between the Law School and the School of Social Work during their third and fourth years of the program.

Who Will Teach in the Program?

The curriculum will be taught by faculty members of the School of Social Work and the Law School. Practicum experiences that take place outside the confines of the Law School and School of Social Work will be supervised by faculty members from the respective schools.

How Does the Credit Transfer Between the Institutions Work?

Gonzaga Law School will accept the equivalent of 10 semester credits from the School of Social Work, provided the student receives a grade of “C” or higher in the classes. The School of Social Work will accept 12 semester credits from the Law School. The Law School transcript will not contain the grades or names of courses taken at the School of Social Work, and the transcript from the School of Social Work will not contain the grades or names of courses taken at the Law School. Each transcript will merely reflect that credit was given for classes taken at the other institution.

Who Will be the Primary Administrator of the Program?

The program will be jointly administered by the Law School and the School of Social Work. At the Law School, the primary faculty contacts for the program are Associate Profs. George Critchlow and Vickie Williams. At the School of Social Work, the primary faculty contact will be Maria Hernandez-Peck, MSW Program Director. 

• Professors Critchlow and Williams can be reached at (509) 323-3700
• Professor Hernandez-Peck's number is (509) 359-6479

What Job Placement Assistance Will be Available for Graduates?

Students and alumni of the dual-degree program will have the same career services resources available to them that are available to students and alumni of the Law School and the School of Social Work.

Top of Page