Master of Social Work/Master of Library and Information Science

Gain a Unique and Valuable Perspective on Two Interconnected Fields

Dominican’s dual degree graduate program in social work and library and information science is one-of-a-kind. You’ll be uniquely prepared for a rewarding career helping to reimagine the way we serve and lift up our diverse communities. At Dominican, we recognize our strengths in the areas of social work and information management and the usefulness of combining our Master of Social Work and Master of Library and Information Science degrees.

Our MSW/MLIS program requires a reduced number of hours for each degree—allowing you to earn both degrees in a shorter period of time and at a lower cost than if you completed them separately. The degrees complement each other, and you will explore the growing importance of information management in social services and the expanding role of libraries in providing social services.

Upon completion of the program, you will earn two degrees: an MSW from Dominican’s School of Social Work and an MLIS from our School of Information Studies. Our SSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and our SOIS offers an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree. You must apply and be admitted to both schools.

Needed

Years to Complete as a Full-time Student

100%

Online Study Option

Best Value School (U.S. News and World Report)

Program Overview

Complete in as little as three years as a full-time student or four years studying part time (less if you are eligible for advanced standing)
All requirements in this combined-degree program must be completed within six years
This program is not open to students who have already earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree
Your required clinical experiences in social work will be done in libraries
Gain valuable—and different—perspectives from the faculty and students in the two schools
Classes are offered at our campus in River Forest, which is just 10 miles west of downtown Chicago and all it has to offer
Option to study 100% online, with a first-weekend residency in-person at Dominican or online to launch your graduate experience; available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin

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Expand Your Network

Our classes are small and learning is team-based, so you will get to know your professors as well as your fellow students, and they will become vital members of your professional network. Your network will also include alums in key positions in the Chicago area and beyond.

During my undergraduate internship at a homelessness prevention agency, I discovered the interconnectedness of social work and librarianship. I found myself working with clients in a library, recommending that they use their local library to apply for social service programs. It opened my eyes to the fact that these two professions are not just related, but they also share the same teachings and framework when working with people in need. This realization inspired me to pursue Dominican’s dual degree program.”

Lazerric Hartzog

Dominican University Graduate Student

The Dominican Difference

Dominican’s School of Social Work is committed to truth and compassionate service. Our mission guides us to advocate for human rights and social and economic justice for all persons, including socially excluded populations, and to promote human and community well-being.

The School of Information Studies empowers professionals to connect individuals and communities to the world of information and learning with reason, compassion and a commitment to service.

Accreditation

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

The Master of Library and Information Science program is accredited by the (ALA). On January 20, 2023, ALA's Committee on Accreditation voted to continue the Dominican MLIS's full accreditation status for another seven-year term. The next comprehensive review will take place in 2029. View the 2022 MLIS program presentation (pdf opens in a new window).

Chicago's Only iSchool

Dominican University is also a member of the , dedicated to advancing the information field. As Chicago’s only , Dominican’s School of Information Studies has long been a presence on Chicago’s higher education landscape, first offering library science programs in the 1930s. See what sets us apart.

For more information,
please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission

Enrollment Management

gradinfo@dom.edu