Private College Student Loan

Are there benefits to a dual MSW/JD degree? Is it worth the time and cost?

I am 23 with a Bachelors in Psychology. I can't get a job in an field that I am remotely interested in without some sort of masters degree or PhD. I was accepted to NYU and Hunter for their MSW programs about a year and a half ago but talked myself out of going because I would have to take out so much more in loans to fund the education and in the end you don't make very much in social work and I would be struggling to pay them off. I recently learned about a federal loan forgiveness program in which your federal student loan debt is forgiven after working in public service for 10 years. So I'm re-opening the door and considering going back to school for social work but I'd like to give myself a competitive edge and also be more versatile so if I get burned out in one area of social work I can transition into something else. I'm considering a dual MSW/JD program but the time commitment and amount of debt I would take on is scary. By the time I finished the program I would be 29 years old (because I still have to take the LSAT and apply to these law schools which will take time and then the programs are 4 years long). I'm interested in the possibility working within the family court system, specifically acting as a Law Guardian for children. Is there anyone out there that can comment on the practicality of a dual MSW/JD or what types of jobs I would qualify for with that type of degree. I feel like having both degrees would open more doors because I would have perspective on both sides of the spectrum.

Public Comments

1. I would say that it isn't worth the time and cost. Social Work and Law are two completely different fields. You wouldn't be able to work both at the same time. The kind of career you are interested in, working as a Guardian Ad Litem (representing the child's interests in family law cases), rarely requires more than a Master's degree in Social Work. It depends on the state you live in, so I would look at local requirements for that position for where you live. By working the job and getting experience, you would learn enough about the law to be able to adequately perform your job. You don't need law school for that. Law school is for people who want to be practicing attorneys. I think you would be better off just going the MSW route and getting licensed in your state. As far as loans go, I would actually contact the family court office of your state and ask them about it. Many state and government agencies have some type of program where they help you out with your loan. Where I live, I believe they will pay up to 50% of your loan if you sign a contract to work with them for a certain number of years. Ultimately, I think you also need to contact the family court office to figure out what steps you need to take getting a career as a Guardian Ad Litem. I don't know how much information there is about this online, and you would be better off hearing the requirements from a reliable source.