MLIS and Master of Social Work Dual Degree

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.

Earn both master’s degrees faster and at lower cost than earning them separately. The program can be completed fully online in as little as three years for eligible students with a bachelor’s in social work.

You will experience the best of our nationally recognized programs in social work and library and information science. The Master of Library and Information Science program at Dominican’s iSchool has been accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) for more than 80 years. And our MSW has earned the prestigious accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

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What You’ll Learn

Through our combined MLIS/MSW program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become a leader in two disciplines that share values of equity, welfare, empowerment and social justice. You’ll be at the center of an innovative and emerging area of social work practice that extends the reach of critical services. At the same time, you’ll gain hands-on experience in the exciting world of today’s most forward-thinking libraries, which have become community hubs of discovery, civic engagement and essential services.

You’ll graduate prepared to make ethical, value-centered decisions, facilitate user learning, organize knowledge systems, and make evidence-based decisions. You’ll gain hands-on social work field experience in a library setting. View course listings on the University Bulletin for the MLIS and MSW programs.

Needed

Credits Needed to Earn Your MLIS-MSW Dual Degree

Different Ways to Study: Online, Hybrid or In-person

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

The Dominican Difference

Our Chicagoland location means you’ll be studying in a setting full of internship, practicum and employment opportunities in the field. And, you can study in a format that works for you.

Online, in-person or hybrid options
Asynchronous and synchronous course options
Can be completed in 3 years as a full-time student, or faster if you have a bachelor’s degree in social work and qualify for advanced standing. Take up to 6 years if needed.
Complete practicums and internships that build real-world skills

Required clinical experiences in social work will be in libraries
Connect to a strong alumni network of library and social work leaders around the world
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and American Library Association (ALA) accredited

I chose Dominican University’s MLIS and MSW dual degree program because I’m passionate about equitable access to information and resources, especially for marginalized communities. Public libraries are community anchors, and I recognize that many patrons who visit these institutions are experiencing complex social challenges like housing insecurity, trauma or mental health struggles. By combining library science with social work, I am better equipped to support those needs holistically.”

Savannah Derrig

Dominican University Graduate

MLIS Concentrations and Certificates

Add a certificate to your MLIS degree in an area of study that suits your long-term career goals. We offer a wide range of concentrations in in-demand areas. Also check out our Special Study Certificate, uniquely designed for retooling and refreshing skills in specified areas.

Archives and Cultural Heritage Resources and Services

Data and Knowledge Management

Digital Curation

Digital Libraries

Health Informatics

Informatics

Web Design

Youth Services

What to Expect as You Earn Your MLIS/MSW

At Dominican, we pride ourselves on the hands-on experiences and personal attention our students receive. Whether you study online or in person on campus, you’ll get the benefit of a collaborative learning environment that will expand your knowledge, deepen your understanding and prepare you as a leader and advocate in social work and library and information science.

Field Placement Options

Your MSW degree requirements include 1,080 hours of fieldwork and related field practicum courses. Many libraries are seeking social work interns, and the network of connections established by our MLIS faculty and alumni means you’ll have an expansive range of options for completing your field placement at top libraries and information centers.

Nationally Recognized Faculty

Our professors have a broad range of experience, and our small class sizes allow them to get to know you—and become the foundation of your professional network.

Areas of MLIS faculty expertise include:

Areas of MSW Faculty Expertise

Child welfare services
Schools
Developmental disabilities programs
Domestic violence-prevention services
Health/mental health services
Human trafficking prevention Substance abuse facilities
Private practice International community development

First Weekend Residency

As a requirement of the MSW degree (either on campus or online) you’ll meet with your cohort in person at Dominican during your first weekend in the program. This sets the stage for a close-knit graduate experience that helps build critical career connections with your peers. They, and our 850 alums, all will become key members of your professional network—helping you lead social change with organizations in Chicago and beyond.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I do with a dual MLIS/MSW degree?

Combining a master’s in social work with a degree in library and information science gives you a unique set of skills and insights for leadership roles in the critical areas of need where these two fields overlap. Libraries today are at the center of strong communities, preserving access to books and knowledge, but also providing a staggering range of services and programming that would look familiar to any professional social worker. Those range from workshops on subjects like finding careers and understanding technology to connecting patrons with resources on issues like mental health and homelessness, and hosting large-scale community events and forums.

Many libraries are now hiring full-time staff social workers to better serve the diverse needs of patrons and the broader community. A dual MLIS/MSW degree from Dominican’s respected iSchool and School of Social Work will position you perfectly for such roles all allow you to benefit from a great degree of career mobility in both fields. By earning both degrees concurrently in Dominican’s one-of-a-kind MLIS/MSW program you’ll gain valuable perspectives that are unique to this integrated dual-degree approach. You’ll also save time and money over pursuing these two degrees separately.

How can I pay for my degree?

Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the School of Information Studies offers a variety of departmental scholarships, depending upon your area of study. You can also explore our social work scholarships. Contact our Office of Financial Aid to learn more.

We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or finaid@dom.edu. Additionally, a 20% tuition discount available to Dominican University alumnae/i gives you more reasons to come home.

How do I apply?

Students can apply to our MLIS/MSW program with a single online application, but must meet the admission requirements for both schools. Students must also submit a personal statement and official undergraduate transcripts. GRE or MAT scores (taken within the last five years) may also be required for applicants with a GPA below a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Before you apply, make sure you review our full application and admission requirements.

Ready to take the next step? Apply now online

Prepare for a Career Where You Can Make a Difference

School librarianship is a complex and impactful profession that makes learning curricula exciting and dynamic, fosters a lifelong love of learning and teaches students to become discerning and effective users of information and technology. Be a part of something meaningful and in-demand. Be part of Dominican.

Accreditation

The Master of Library and Information Science program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association (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.

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.

Chicago's Only iSchool

Dominican University is also a member of the iSchools consortium, dedicated to advancing the information field. As Chicago’s only iSchool, 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.

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please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission