Many social workers navigate the legal system as they provide services to their clients. Whether it is in the context of child welfare, mental health, probation and parole, substance abuse, youth and families, or any number of other specialty areas. Social workers benefit from having a working familiarity with how the legal system operates and how it can impact the lives of their clients. Many clients are court-involved in some way, and social workers often file reports with the court or testify on matters related to the clients they serve.

Knowing how legal professionals think, and understanding the systems in which they operate, enhances the social worker's ability to provide the best service to the client.

The Minor in Law through the School of Social Work requires a minimum of 17 credits and is open to any student enrolled in the school. Please note that courses required for the Minor in Law are not guaranteed to be offered in an online format. To achieve the minor, social work students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

Jobs

The possibilities are endless! For students enrolled in the School of Social Work, these opportunities are top of mind:

Social worker

Social workers may be asked to conduct assessments of both youth and adults and make recommendations regarding risk and treatment needs that serve as guides for decisions by judges. Many people receiving mental health or substance abuse treatment are mandated by a judge to receive assistance. Social workers who work at the agencies providing those services often must share their treatment outcomes with court personnel, and understand the systems involved. Social workers may also provide counseling and case management services for youth or adults who are trying to re-enter their communities after serving time in prisons or juvenile detention or residential facilities.

Child welfare worker

Child welfare workers typically attend court hearings, file reports with the court and testify before a judge or referee.

Juvenile probation officer or caseworker

These professionals work with youth who are involved with the juvenile justice system and routinely review court documents or generate reports for the court.

Real-life application

Curious about how the law and social work interact in the real-world? Read about two experienced social work practitioners who are members of the Wayne Law faculty. 

• Assistant Professor (Clinical) Kathryn Smolinski, director of the Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic
• Associate Professor of Law and Social Work Heather Walter-McCabe

Learn more

To declare the Minor in Law, contact Geoffrey Jones, Academic Services Officer II, at bt3545@wayne.edu.

For more information, visit the School of Social Work website.