MSW/Health and Well-Being Track
In the health and well-being track of Dominican’s MSW program, you’ll examine factors that impact health and well-being across the life span. This track prepares you to take a person-centered approach to health, to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team, and to advocate for access to equitable health care resources for underserved communities.
At Dominican, we believe social work professionals can play a positive role in reducing health and health care disparities, which impact communities of color especially hard. Social determinants of health, such as poverty, unequal access to care, stigma and racism, contribute to these inequities.
The health and well-being track is designed to prepare you to make recommendations for ending such disparities and empowering the communities of color that are most affected by them.
- Gain hands-on experience through field placements in health care and wellness settings
- Courses taught by leading faculty with real-world experience
Start advancing your career today. Request information today
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Social work professionals are an integral part of today’s complex, multifaceted health care systems and in the advocacy work surrounding health equity. At Dominican, you’ll prepare for both clinical and advocacy roles in the health care and wellness fields.
You’ll analyze and critique current social work frameworks, theories and interventions in health and mental health care with a focus on a holistic approach and trauma-informed care. The curriculum is designed to sharpen your analysis of the complexities of health disparities and social determinants of health.
The coursework includes options to explore areas such as substance abuse, crisis intervention and play therapy, which can be incorporated into your desired area of social work practice.
All courses are taught on campus and online by leading faculty who have real-world experience in medical, public health and clinical (behavioral health) social work settings. You’ll enjoy access to a variety of field placement options in health settings. You’ll be ready to provide competent service to this important population and to advocate for change. Read detailed course descriptions.
Required Courses
Students in the health and well-being social work track are required to take the following courses in addition to the general MSW curriculum:
- Social Work and Health (SWK630)
- Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (SWK631)
Gain Hands-On Social Work Skills through Field Placements
Our expansive network of field placement sites gives you the opportunity to choose from dozens of options, including hospitals, community health organizations, behavioral health and substance abuse clinics and more. Our director of field placement will work with you to explore options for placements.
Sample Field Placements
- Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
- Gottlieb Hospital
- Hines VA Hospital
- John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- Methodist Hospital of Chicago
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center
- Palos Community Hospital
- Rush North Shore Medical Center
- Rush University Medical Center
Explore more field placement options
WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOU EARN YOUR MSW AT DOMINICAN
The Dominican University experience is one that embraces unique viewpoints, values hands-on learning and fosters collaborative relationships—among faculty, students and the communities that we hope to influence through our values-centered degree programs. When you study for your Master of Social Work here, you’ll get the benefit of modern learning designed for working professionals as well as a relationship-focused atmosphere that will help you become a stronger leader in your field.
FINANCING YOUR DOMINICAN MSW
Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Social Work offers a variety of departmental scholarships for outstanding academic achievement and graduate assistantships for those who wish to work with faculty while pursuing their degree. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more. We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or finaid@dom.edu.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What can I do with an MSW in the health and well-being track?
Social work professionals are an essential component of the health care system. Your graduate-level training in social work at Dominican will enable you to provide culturally responsive service to individuals, families and communities. Beyond clinical practice, you’ll also be ready to play a role in advocating for better access to care for vulnerable populations.
What are the different roles of health social workers?
Social workers are found in settings across the health care spectrum, working in multidisciplinary teams alongside doctors, nurses and other care providers in hospitals, clinics and beyond. They play important roles in helping people navigate health care systems, manage anxiety and bereavement, and process trauma. Medial and health social workers also play an important advising and advocacy role in health care policy, services and legislative matters.
Ready to take the next step? Apply now online