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2020-2021 University Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Master of Social Work
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 Return to: School of Social Work
Dominican University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students for the competent practice of globally focused, family-centered social work. Consistent with the mission of Dominican University, the graduate-level social work program seeks to educate students for service to individuals, families, groups, communities, and the profession.
Students can complete the MSW in two years of full-time study, or in three years with our flexible part-time tracks. In addition, an advanced standing option allows students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution to complete the MSW in as little as nine months.
Courses may be taken at either our campus in River Forest, Illinois, or at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. In addition, some courses are offered online.
An MSW from Dominican University will mark you as a well-prepared, practiced, and compassionate professional in the field of social work.
Globally Focused, Family-Centered
Our students gain a global perspective in both classroom study and fieldwork alongside expert faculty, with numerous opportunities for local, national and international field placements and externships.
Our program also focuses on the nature of families in terms of culture, community, the life cycle and the components and dynamics of family systems.
Curriculum
In our progressive program, you’ll take courses in social work fundamentals such as community analysis, human behavior and social welfare as well as elective courses to help you focus your course of study in an area of your interest. We also offer students the option to focus their coursework in the in-demand areas noted below.
Our field placements provide students with hands-on experience to build their careers in social work. Optional 10-week international field placements offer the chance to work in multiple countries such as Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico or South Africa.
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Degree Requirements
The Master of Social Work degree requires students to complete 60 semester credit hours (20 courses). This number includes:
- Required coursework in family-centered, community-based, and global social work, mental health, human behavior, and diversity
- Elective courses (which may include required courses for option areas of focus noted below)
- A total of 1,080 hours of supervised practice and fieldwork experience in partnering social service agencies
- Related field practicum courses
Time to Completion
Full-time students in the full MSW program can expect to complete the 60 credit hour requirements for the degree over 4 continuous semesters (2-years).
Part-time students in the full MSW program should anticipate 3-4 calendar years to complete the 60 credit hour requirements.
Change in status (from full-time to part-time) is permitted. Sample plans of study for full-time and part-time students are available from the School of Social Work.
Advanced Standing Option
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program may be eligible for advanced standing. The advanced standing program requires of 30 credit hours of required and elective coursework (10 courses), including a minimum of 20 hours of fieldwork (per week) and related field practicum courses.
Full-time advanced standing students can expect to complete the 30 credit hour requirements for the MSW in 9 months.
Part-time advanced standing students can expect to complete the 30 credit hour requirements for the MSW in 2 years.
Areas of Specialization
Students can choose to add a specialization to their MSW degree in one of three burgeoning fields: gerontology, military social work or school social work.
Gerontology
The School of Social Work is among the 16 accredited social work programs in the United States to receive a grant from the Council of Social Work Education to implement a gerontology certificate program to prepare the professionals needed to address the concerns, challenges and complex needs of aging adults. The certificate program is available to both MSW students as part of their studies and as a post-master’s certificate for those who already hold the MSW.
Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the biological, physical, psychological, sociological, spiritual and economic aspects of aging. The gerontology program produces social workers professionally trained to provide services to the older adult population.
Requirements:
- SWK 611 and SWK 651 (taken concurrently with field placement)
- 2 approved Electives. The list of approved electives eligible for the certificate program may vary from year to year. All assignments in non-aging related electives must focus on older adults.
The completion of the two-semester field placement should be primarily with older adults at the local, national, and/or international level.
As soon as the student expresses intent to graduate with an MSW and a Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Aging Care, the student should turn in an application form. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the relevant courses are taken with input from the adviser. Electives should be completed prior to graduation.
Military Social Work Concentration
There is a well-documented need for military personnel, veterans, and their families to receive appropriate social services. However, not all helping professionals are familiar with military culture and the unique issues they and their families face, which may result in the inadequate provision of services. Harm may inadvertently result due to the professional’s lack of understanding of the unique issues faced by our service members, veterans, and their families.
Dominican University and its School of Social Work (SSW) recognize the sacrifice our service members and their families make and feel it is crucial to provide them with quality care when they need help. SSW now offers to all MSW students a concentration to prepare professional to work with the military and their families. The military social work concentration will train MSW students in the knowledge and skills necessary to work with service members, vets, and their families.
Completion of the military courses will take place in the student’s concentration year. The successful completion of the military concentration allows agencies, organizations, and all others who work with service members, veterans and their families know that SSW students are competent to provide evidence-based clinical services to military service members, veterans and their families.
Current MSW candidates who have completed their foundation year in the SSW program will be able to enroll in the military concentration classes. In addition to completing the following courses, students are required to complete both field placements at an agency that provides services to military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Social Work in Schools Certification
Current MSW students have the option to complete required courses and work in schools for their internships. Prior to their internship semester (typically their last semester), students must complete the Illinois Licensure Testing System Requirement outlined below. The Department of Professional Regulation in Illinois issues the license upon completion of requirements noted below as well as completion of required paperwork.
Our Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work Program (formerly Type 73) is designed to help qualified individuals gain the endorsement needed for social work positions in Illinois public schools K-12. Applicants must be currently enrolled in our MSW program or have already earned a MSW from another accredited CSWE program.
Illinois Licensure Testing System Requirement
Each person in the State of Illinois who is seeking a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work Program must take and pass either:
- The Test of Academic Proficiency (formerly called the Basic Skills Test). Go to the Illinois Certification Testing System web page for complete information such as test dates, fees and registration.
OR
- ACT/SAT in lieu of Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP). The student must have received a composite ACT Plus Writing score of at least 22 and a minimum 19 in combined English/Writing; or a composite (mathematics and critical reading) SAT score of 1030 and a minimum 450 in writing. The writing portion must have been taken for each test.
Students must also take and pass the School Social Work Content exam. Both requirements must be met before the student can start the internship.
Internship Requirements
Current MSW students
- Complete your first-year supervised field internship with a minimum of 480 contact hours. (Supervisor must have a master’s degree or higher.)
- Complete your second-year supervised internship with a minimum of 600 contact hours in a P-12 school setting for the academic year (two semesters) through June. Supervisor must possess a master’s degree or higher and have a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work (formerly Type 73 Certificate)
Post-MSW Students
- Perform a minimum of 600 contact hours in a K-12 school setting for the academic year (two semesters) through June. MSW Post Master’s students are highly valued and sought after. Most schools are willing to negotiate a lessening of hours during the week for the Post MSW student. Some schools have specialized placements for the Post MSW students (reduced hours).
- Your supervisor must possess a master’s degree or higher in school social work and hold a Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work (formerly Type 73 Certificate)
- Your internship schedule will be agreed upon by the host school and Dominican’s director of field placement.
Please note:
- Students must acquire a B- or better in all courses except field and practice, which require a B or better grade
- Based on the State of Illinois, students who have a C- or lower in any course will not be eligible for the Professional Educator License Endorsed in School Social Work
- Content-area test: A candidate shall pass the content-area test prior to beginning the last semester or term of his or her internship.
Getting the Certificate
Upon successful completion of the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ACT/SAT, required courses, school internship and criminal background check, all candidates must complete and successfully pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) 184 School Social Worker Test.
Once the student passes the ILTS 184, the student must contact the Director of Field Placement. The Director of Field Placement will send a letter to Dominican’s Licensure Officer, indicating that the student successfully completed all requirements. The Director of Field Placement will also provide the student with Dominican’s Licensure Officer’s contact information. The student must follow up with the Certification Officer to complete the process.
Requirements for All Graduate Degrees
- Maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Complete the degree within six years.
- Submit an application for graduation to the Office of the Registrar by the filing deadline for the semester when requirements will be completed.
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Return to: School of Social Work
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