Social Work
Prepare to become an agent of change
Now more than ever, social workers are needed to address society鈥檚 most pressing issues. By joining Dominican鈥檚 Bachelor鈥檚 of Social Work Degree program, which launches in the fall 2025 semester, you鈥檒l be prepared to meet the demands of one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing professions.
You鈥檒l work to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities and you鈥檒l learn how to help marginalized and vulnerable people overcome challenges they face in everyday life. In small class sizes, you鈥檒l collaborate closely with caring professors on original research and study policy frameworks that promote human and community well-being. You鈥檒l also dive into the complexities of oppression and privilege while adopting ethical social work practice that engages anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
海角社区's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education鈥檚 (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Pre-candidacy for a baccalaureate or master鈥檚 social work program by the BOA indicates that it submitted an application to be reviewed for candidacy and received approval of its Benchmark 1 from CSWE accreditation staff to move forward for a candidacy review within 1-year.
A program that has attained pre-candidacy status has not yet been reviewed by the BOA nor verified to be compliant with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Students that are admitted to pre-candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain candidacy and initial accreditation.
Your gateway to amazing opportunities
As a student at Dominican, you鈥檒l prepare for roles of great meaning in a wide range of social service settings, including hospitals, schools, senior centers, substance abuse facilities, private practice and many other professional venues.
Dominican鈥檚 social work program will open doors for changemakers ready to push boundaries and create a profound impact on society. In the state of Illinois, the bachelor's in social work is the recognized degree for entrance into human service and social work positions. By earning a bachelor's in social work, you鈥檒l find a wide range of career paths to choose from.
You鈥檒l also find high-impact opportunities such as an outreach worker, research assistant, child welfare specialist and many other professional roles. Furthermore, after three years of supervised professional experience, graduates of the social work program can apply to become Licensed Social Workers (LSW) without taking the licensing exam in Illinois. Additionally, students who complete the Bachelor of Social Work program may move seamlessly into Dominican鈥檚 Master of Social Work degree program.
More ways to learn, on campus and beyond
Practical experience is built into Dominican鈥檚 social work curriculum. You鈥檒l complete a required practicum placement experience that will draw on Chicago鈥檚 wide-ranging research and social service resources.
At Dominican, we make our connections your connections, so you can test-drive your dream job in the real world. Our faculty will work closely with you to prepare your work for presentation at our spring research expo or even at conferences of professionals in the industry. Through Dominican鈥檚 community-based learning program, you鈥檒l combine in-depth academic study with civic engagement in community organizations, in Chicago and beyond. In addition, the university offers a choice of study-abroad programs on four continents.
Dee Alverio
海角社区 graduate
"I would recommend 海角社区 to any student who is pursuing a career in social work. They have quality classes, quality resources and the professors are not professors, they are professionals in the field that they teach."
Second degrees and minors
Many areas of study and areas of industry cross paths with social work. If you are interested in building cross-functional skills that can elevate your career, you may complete the Bachelor of Social Work along with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology or a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology or Criminology. All degree requirements must be completed from both disciplines within 4 years.
The BSW degree requires students to select a minor in a recommended discipline such as sociology, psychology and criminal justice. If you pursue a dual degree, however, you will not be required to select a minor.
Complementary minors
Prepare for a life of service and achievement
A survey of U.S. employers by Hart Research Associates found that 93% of bosses say that 鈥渁 job candidate鈥檚 demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems鈥 is the most important factor in hiring decisions. That is the essential skill set of our social work graduates. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you for lifelong intellectual and professional competence. Our alumni work in countless industries, and they know what they鈥檙e doing. They鈥檙e thoughtful, persuasive, open to new ideas, skilled at active listening and written expression, and able to adapt and thrive through long and meaningful careers. They have earned their way into leadership positions in the professions of their choice.