How to Apply

School of Social Work (SSW) students have an opportunity to pursue the MSW as a full-time or part-time student. In addition, students who hold a bachelor's in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can enter the program as an advanced standing student, enabling them to complete the program in nine months as a full-time student or over a two year period as a part-time student.

We also offer the Social Work in Schools Licensure (Formerly Type 73 Certification) for those students interested in becoming school social workers.

To reach a broader student base, we also offer a MSW program at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with you to achieve your academic and professional goals while challenging you to change the world.

Application Process

Apply Online

The School of Social Work at Dominican University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, political orientation, sexual orientation or diverse lifestyle in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships, loan programs or any other program administered by the university.

• A completed online application for Dominican’s School of Social Work.
• Students applying for advanced standing (bachelor's in social work required) must complete the advanced standing application.
• Personal Statement: Please refer to the attached (pdf)
• Resume
• An official transcript documenting a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and an official transcript from each college where graduate credit was earned
• A minimum 2.75 grade-point average is required for general admissions and a 3.0 is required for advanced-standing admission.
• Two letters of recommendation: at least one letter from an academic reference and one from a professional reference. In the event that a prospect is unable to provide an academic reference, an additional professional reference may be submitted, granted it reflects the prospect’s experience in some human services or social services capacity.
• Interviews are used selectively.

GRE or GMAT are not required for the MSW program.

Application Dates and Deadlines

Early application prior to the dates listed below is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Priority for scholarships will be given to students who apply by the priority deadlines. Full-time students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline in order to secure internships, which usually open in February/March. Late applications will continue to be reviewed following these dates as space allows.

Priority Deadlines

• Summer II Term: Priority deadline April 11 (full-time students)
• Fall Term: Priority deadline April 11 (full-time and part-time students)

Final Deadlines

• Full-time application deadline: May 12

Applications for full-time students will continue to be reviewed until May 12; however, if an applicant is accepted into the program and unable to secure an internship, their status must be changed to part time. Part-time students who do not complete an internship in their first year will therefore begin their internship in their second year. Internships can not be guaranteed to students who apply to the program after May 12. Part-time applications are open and will be reviewed until August 11.

Deadlines also apply to students applying for Advanced Standing. Short Term Approval applicants have a deadline of May 1

International Students

International students must complete the general admission application and additional application and visa requirements. International (F-1 and J-1) students may not apply for the online version of this degree. They may only opt for the in-person version. F-1 and J-1 students must follow the plan of study in consultation with and devised by the academic advisor for this degree exactly as outlined. Any deviation may result in the student’s inability to maintain status, causing termination in SEVIS.

International students must be accepted by the following deadlines:

*All documents needed for an I-20, such as Financial Statement, bank statement, copy of passport, and in some cases copy of visa, previous I-20, etc. must be submitted before the deadline date for an I-20.

For more information, please visit International Student Admission.

Transfer Credit Policy

If you are admitted to the program prior to completing a bachelor’s degree, your admission will be conditional until we receive the final transcript from your undergraduate institution. 

Students who have taken graduate courses at another accredited institution may transfer up to six semester hours of credit toward the MSW. A minimum grade of B is required for transfer credit. Transfer credit requests are subject to review and approval by the director of the School of Social Work and should be submitted prior to admission.

BSW credits considered for transfer to the advanced-standing program must be from a CSWE-accredited institution and be completed within six years of matriculation. In no case will credit be given for life experiences.

Students-at-Large

Individuals seeking to take MSW courses at Dominican University can take a maximum of four courses as a Student-at-Large.

Admission as a Student-at-Large does not guarantee admission into the MSW program, but credit earned as a Student-at-Large can be later applied to Dominican’s MSW program upon admission.

Students must abide by the University’s and School of Social Work policies and procedures. Students-at-Large are not eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid or Scholarships.

Please submit the following for admission as a Student-at-Large:

• Completed online application
• Official transcripts from undergraduate institution verifying earned bachelor’s degree and if applicable, official transcripts from any master level coursework.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact us at gradinfo@dom.edu.