Letter From the Director

I invite you to explore Dominican University’s School of Social Work website to learn more about our progressive social work program. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, our school offers a challenging, globally focused, family-centered program that will provide you with the skills you need to make a real impact on society. 

Founded in 2001, the School of Social Work is committed to offering students a wide range of local, national and international field placement opportunities. Past students have served internships at Chicago area social service agencies, hospitals, advocacy groups and geriatric centers as well as with programs in India, South Africa, Mexico, Ecuador and Guatemala. Our students are truly making a difference all over the world.

Dominican’s School of Social Work has an excellent, supportive faculty dedicated to advancing the social work discipline and encouraging students to excel in this dynamic field. Many of our faculty members are doing exciting research in gerontology, domestic violence, human trafficking and the impact of educational opportunities on immigrant/migrant families; they bring real-world experience into the classroom.

If you are considering a career in social work or are interested in enhancing your current career, now is a great time to explore our programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for all social workers is expected to increase by 16 percent through 2026. Opportunities in geriatric social work, a specialty of the School of Social Work, are especially promising due to the aging of baby boomers.

As dean, I am committed to strengthening Dominican's innovative social work program. My own career has focused on clinical practice with older adults and their families. My research includes Alzheimer's disease and caregiving. Social work is a powerful and rewarding profession and it is exciting to support students as they move into this career.

I encourage you to learn more about the school's efforts to prepare social workers dedicated to the creation of a more just and humane world for all.

Julie Bach, Ph.D, LCSW

Dean and Associate Professor