Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 University Bulletin 
    
2024-2025 University Bulletin

Dual Master’s Degree Programs


To help our students meet specific career goals, Dominican University offers a series of combined-degree programs. This approach allows students to complete work on both degrees in less time than it would take to complete each separately. Dual degree students are simultaneously enrolled in both programs. Upon successful completion, students receive two distinct degrees.

Admission Process

Students must apply to each program separately and be accepted by both.

Application for admission to the combined program may be made at any time while students are enrolled in either program. No advance assurance can be given that such admission will be granted.

MLIS and MSW


Dominican’s School of Information Studies and the School of Social Work offer a program leading to two degrees:

  • Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)

Requirements

  • A total of 78 semester hours is required for these two degrees. All requirements in the combined-degree program must be completed within six years.
  • A minimum of 30 semester hours must be taken in the School of Information Studies.
  • A minimum of 48 semester hours must be taken in the School of Social Work.
  • This program is not open to students who already have earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree or a Master of Social Work degree.

MBA and MSW


Dominican University recognizes that an individual who possesses the skills and knowledge of both a social worker and a business professional is exceptionally well prepared to lead an organization, whether it is non-profit, for-profit, or governmental. To accommodate students who want to attain this level of professional preparation, Dominican’s School of Social Work and its Brennan School of Business have developed a dual degree program that allows students to complete two degrees in a shortened period of time.

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)

Requirements

  • Students with a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited BSW program will be able to complete the MSW/MBA dual degree in two years as a full-time advanced standing student and those without a BSW will be required to complete the dual program in three years as a full-time student.
  • A candidate for the MBA degree will normally need to complete 12 to 18 courses. The total number depends on the candidate’s undergraduate coursework, academic performance and GMAT test score, which may result in the waiver of up to six foundation courses. Foundation courses required for degree programs may be waived if students have successfully completed equivalent course work at another accredited institution as part of their previous studies. In order to be eligible for waivers, students must have achieved a grade of B or better in an equivalent three-credit course. Depending on waivers, a student in the dual MBA/MSW program will need to complete a minimum of 30 to 36 credit hours for the MBA degree.
  • A minimum of 48 semester hours must be taken in the School of Social Work.
  • This program is not open to students who already have earned a Master of Business Administration degree or a Master of Social Work degree.