Program director
Kimberly Freeman

Loma Linda University's motto, "To make man whole," provides a powerful context for integrated practice. Both social work and criminal justice—within a behavioral health framework—emphasize recovery, healing, and restoration.

A multidisciplinary approach considers the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of victims, offenders, and communities, and provides a deeper understanding of crime and the struggle of the modern criminal justice system in a behavioral health context. This combined degree program offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in working in settings such as mental health court, detention centers, forensic inpatient programs, and forensic outpatient behavioral health systems.

Mission

The mission, program goals, and objectives build on elements from the M.S.W and M.S. in criminal justice degrees. Please refer to each of these programs for this content.

General overview

The combined M.S.W./M.S. in criminal justice program is a seven-quarter, full-time curriculum that begins with the social work core coursework required for all students. Coursework during the first year of study includes the generalist practice curriculum, which is grounded in the liberal arts and the person-in-environment framework. Within this framework, students learn to promote social well-being, and build on the strength and resiliency of all human beings through a range of prevention and intervention practice methods when working with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. During their second year, students complete a clinical practice specialization along with specialized courses and practicum in forensic behavioral health. Students choosing this area will focus on the needs of individuals in the criminal or juvenile justice systems who experience severe mental illness and who may also present with co-occurring substance use. Students will gain knowledge and skills in treatment programming. In addition, students will be prepared to assess and provide expert testimony regarding continued institutionalization versus readiness for community treatment.

Students gain knowledge and skills in treatment programming within a forensic mental health framework. This context prepares students to assess and provide expert testimony regarding continued institutionalization versus readiness for outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation, including the development and implementation of recovery and resiliency-informed treatment plans. An integrated practicum and seminar class in criminal justice typically begins in the Summer Quarter of the second year.

The combined degrees emphasize a thoughtful reflection about integrated issues in both social work and criminal justice, providing students with a deeper understanding of practice issues affecting the field.

Liberal arts preparation

M.S.W. and criminal justice curricula are built on a liberal arts perspective. Individual applicants whose undergraduate degree does not reflect this perspective may be asked to enroll in additional courses, which must be completed before advancement to candidacy (prior to beginning the advanced curriculum).

Unit values are stated as quarter units. Content from multiple courses may be used to meet most requirements. 

Program options

Alternate program options have been designed to address the varying needs of students: namely, a full-time, two-year option; a three-year, part-time option; and a four-year, part-time option. 

Due to the use of online and hybrid teaching formats, visas are not available to international students; therefore, international students cannot not be accepted into the M.S.W./M.S. Criminal Justice Program. 

Laptop Computer

Students are required to have a laptop computer. For computer specifications, see the department website.

Admission requirements

Students wishing to take the dual degree must be admitted to both the M.S.W. and the M.S. in Criminal Justice programs separately.  Applicants should refer to the admissions criteria for each program.

The 90-unit curriculum for the M.S.W. and M.S. degrees in Criminal Justice provides a mix of academic, experiential, and research activities essential for practice. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale (a letter grade of B) in order to progress successfully through the program and complete the degree. In addition, students must meet the knowledge, skills, and professional performance competencies outlined by the program. Students must meet both course and cumulative G.P.A. standards and course repeat expectations set by the School of Behavioral Health in the general regulations section of this CATALOG.

Generalist curriculum
SOWK 510Diversity Theory in Practice and Research3
SOWK 513Human Behavior in a Culturally Diverse Environment4
SOWK 514Social Welfare History and Policy4
SOWK 517Practice I: Individuals4
SOWK 518Practice II: Groups3
SOWK 519Practice III: Organizations and Communities3
SOWK 520Practice IV: Families 13
SOWK 548Research Methods5
SOWK 574Practice V: Administration, Management, and Supervision3
SOWK 578Field Orientation 10
SOWK 585Legal and Ethical Aspects in Health and Behavioral Health Services3
Required cognates
RELR 540Wholeness and Health3
Core criminal justice courses
CRMJ 515Crime and Society3
CRMJ 517Criminal Procedure and Rules of Evidence3
CRMJ 519Expert Testimony: Procedure and Practice2
CRMJ 574Theories of Crime and Restitution3
Clinical specialization and forensic behavioral health
CRMJ 620Forensic Mental Health3
SOWK 584Special Topics in Social Work2
SOWK 613DSM: Diagnosis, Diversity, and Differences4
SOWK 617Social Justice and Global Practice3
SOWK 620Psychopharmacology in Clinical Practice2
SOWK 647Integrated Behavioral Health Practice3
SOWK 648Co-occurring Processes and Interventions3
SOWK 659Recovery in Behavioral Health2
SOWK 661Psychodynamic Therapies4
SOWK 662Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies4
SOWK 663Crisis and Trauma Interventions3
SOWK 681Behavioral Health Policies and Systems2
Degree completion options6
Non-thesis option: 6
Advanced Research Methods
Advanced Research Methods
Advanced Research Methods
Thesis option: 2
Applied Research
Thesis
Practicum and seminar 5
Advanced Professional Practicum and Seminar
Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7
Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7
Generalist Practice Consultation 3,7,8
Clinical Practice Consultation 4
Clinical Practice Consultation 4
Clinical Practice Consultation 4
Total Units90
1

Not eligible for waiver.

2

Thesis option is available for students meeting program criteria.

3

Hours: 160 + 20; Not eligible for waiver

4

Hours: 200 + 20

5

700-numbered courses are not calculated into the total didactic units required for the degree.

6

SOWK 695 ABC is equivalent to SOWK 695.

7

SOWK 678 substitutes 757ABC for Advance Standing students with approval of the program

8

Students not passing the Qualifying Review at the completion of SOWK 757C must take SOWK 595.

Normal time to complete the program

Seven (7) academic quarters (includes didactic courses and practicums) — based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted