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Navigating Law Toward Systemic Change
Our online Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work: Legal Studies Specialization program integrates the tenets of social work into the study of law to help demystify policies and laws that impact social work practices and the clients you wish to serve.
Through the Legal Studies Specialization online doctoral program, you will learn to be a champion for others in the legal system, pioneer regulatory change, and ultimately position yourself as an agent of systemic change for the benefit of the individual and community. You will study the legal process, family laws, child welfare laws, education laws, mental health laws, juvenile justice, immigration, social services, mediation, and more. Here, you’ll gain an understanding of the intersecting systems of judicial, administrative, and government policies and procedures for professional work in administration, consulting, teaching, research, and policymaking.
Integrative Legal Studies Specialization Job Outcomes
Upon completion of the Integrative Social Work online Ph.D. with a specialization in Legal Studies, you will have an enhanced skill set and deepened perspective to augment your current practice or, with the appropriate licensure, expand into other roles, including:
- University professor
- Legal advocate
- Clinical social worker
- Researcher
- Program director
- Politics and public policy
- Public welfare
- Nonprofits
- Juvenile/adult criminal justice
- Guardian ad litem for the courts
- Community health
Other Online Ph.D. Integrative Social Work Programs
Interested in another Ph.D. specialization in Integrative Social Work? We offer an additional online doctoral specialization that may align more closely with your goals.
Program Components
Admissions Requirements
To enter the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work: Legal Studies Specialization program, you must have completed a master’s degree in social work, or other relevant master’s degree, from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrollment. It is preferred that you have one to two years of professional experience prior to admission. You will be judged on your overall ability to do graduate work, including academic writing.
You must submit the following documents to apply to the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work: Legal Studies Specialization degree program:
- An official transcript(s) of accredited degrees, with a minimum expected grade point average (GPA) requirement of 3.0 from the last degree-granting institution, though exceptions may be made
- A personal statement
- Professional resume or CV
- An academic writing sample
- All applicants will be interviewed by a member of the Social Work faculty
Invest in Your Future
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work.
Sample Courses
Social Work and the Law
This three-credit course will introduce you to the often-invisible complex system of laws and procedures that shape and impact social work practice and the clients that social workers serve. You will gain an increased understanding of the purpose and scope of the law so that you are better able to identify issues, make informed decisions, and act.
Foundational Legal Skills
In this three-credit course, you will identify and distinguish sources of law, examine the differences between state and federal court systems, and research, analyze, and synthesize legal materials to write about issues, including the use of law as an instrument of social change.
Legal Process and Advocacy
This three-credit course will introduce you to the complex and intersecting systems of the judicial, administrative, and government policies and procedures at the local, state, and federal level that directly and indirectly impact your clients’ lives. You will explore the various avenues available to advocate for your clients as well as to seek systemic change.
Catalog
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work: Legal Studies Specialization program.
Career Outcomes
Saybrook University prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update
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University Learning Experience
Our Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work: Legal Studies Specialization program is a 100% online program. While the core of this program is completed asynchronously, there are some synchronous, online features designed to deepen your educational experience. We call this a Virtual Learning Experience (VLE). In addition to the VLE, you will begin your studies with a virtual Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a program orientation, are held online during the week before the start of Fall and Spring semesters. The in-person Community Learning Experience (CLE) is also available for you to explore. The CLE is held every odd-numbered year. It is optional and not required to complete the program.
Integrative Social Work Faculty
Saybrook’s Integrative Social Work faculty are practitioner-scholars dedicated to advancing their field through continued practice and comprehensive instruction. Meet one of our faculty members below.
Core faculty, Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program
- Extensive experience in social policy development, student retention, diversity, social justice, student equity, and more
- Conference presenter/panelist on issues such as African American male achievement, student athlete success, and graduation/retention
UNBOUND: Integrative Social Work
Advocate and lead with a person-centered, evidence-informed approach to social work and community well-being, where traditional principles meet holistic insights by earning your doctorate in social work or completing a social work certificate.
Profile, Students
Saybrook University Student Profile: Derek Kee-Haynes
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Career Resources
Master’s vs. Ph.D. in social work: What’s the difference?
Ready to pursue a graduate degree in social work? Discover the differences between a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in social work here.