MSW/Master of Business Administration
The social work and business fields are converging in exciting ways. For social workers, a business degree from Dominican allows you to become skilled in the business roles—such as human resources management and budgeting—that you’ll need for leadership and consultancy positions. For business professionals, a social work degree equips you to advance your company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, launch your own social enterprise and much more.
With strong values-centered approaches in both disciplines, Dominican is uniquely prepared to offer a dual MBA/MSW degree program that will expand your career opportunities and prepare you to make a difference.
- Choose from online, evening and daytime classes to suit your schedule; online option for the social work courses is available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin
- Get personal attention in small classes of about 16 students
- Graduate from a respected CSWE- and AACSB-accredited program (AACSB accreditation is achieved by only 5% of business schools worldwide)
- Focus your program with in-demand concentrations in both disciplines
Start advancing your career today. Request information today
What You’ll Learn
Dominican University recognizes that if you possess the skills and knowledge of both a social worker and a business professional you will be exceptionally well prepared to lead organizations of all types in the public and private sectors. Social service organizations need supervisors and leaders with business knowledge. And in the business world, companies of all sorts are seeking professionals with an ability to drive social and community engagement efforts, liaise with government and nonprofit agencies, and avoid decisions that can harm communities.
Dominican’s MSW Plus MBA Degree at a Glance
- Time to complete: Three years as a full-time student (including summers), or two years if you already have a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work
- Coursework alternates between the business and social work schools each year, so you can focus on one area at a time
- Reduced number of hours required for each degree
- CSWE- and AACSB-accredited
Focus Your Business Courses With Market-Trending Electives
Along with taking foundational MBA courses, you’ll be able to customize your business and social work degree experience toward a specific field that fits your career goals. Choose from Dominican’s MBA program concentrations (requiring 9 credit hours) in topics like: accounting, data analytics, finance, healthcare administration, international business administration, leadership or marketing. Looking to earn a standalone MBA? Learn about our MBA program
Gain Hands-On Social Work Skills through field placement
We will connect you with our expansive network of 350 agencies in the Chicago area that offer hands-on research and clinical opportunities. And, if you’re studying remotely, we’ll guide you through the process of securing field placements local to you. We also offer placement options abroad for those interested in international social work.
What to Expect as You Earn Your MSW/MBA Degree
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 MSW/MBA degree 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.
Top-Ranked MBA Courses in our Brennan School of Business
Dominican’s Brennan School of Business is recognized for providing high-value, rigorous, relevant business education in a supportive, small-classroom setting. We welcome you to email Dave Aron to learn more about the MBA degree and certificate programs at Brennan. See what sets us apart
Values-Centered Curriculum in our School of Social Work
Dominican University’s School of Social Work challenges you to change the world by helping you gain the skills to make a difference. Our programs prepare professional social workers for globally focused, family-centered practice. Our mission guides us to advocate for human rights and social and economic justice and to promote human and community well-being. See what sets us apart
Financing Your MSW/MBA Degree
Along with opportunities for financial aid through loans and grants, the Brennan School of Business 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 to learn more.
We can be reached at (708) 524-6809 or finaid@dom.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can I do with a dual degree in business and social work?
An MSW/MBA degree might seem like an unusual combination but, like any field, social work is in need of leadership. Combining your MSW with a top-ranked business education will prepare you to take on supervisory and executive leadership positions in settings ranging from social welfare organizations and hospitals to philanthropic foundations, government agencies and corporate human resources departments. An MBA also gives you the skills to pursue consultancy work.
Increasingly, too, professionals in the business world are recognizing the need to develop the skills social workers bring to the job. For example, small and large companies alike now look for leaders to take on specialized roles in maintaining strong community relationships, partnering with nonprofit organizations, and ensuring that decisions don’t negatively impact communities or the environment. Many corporations now have entire departments dedicated to corporate social responsibility, or CSR, initiatives.
How do I apply?
In order to apply, you will need the following materials:
- Optional GMAT or GRE exam score
- Official transcripts from universities showing all degrees earned
- Two recommendations (one academic and one professional)
- Personal statement
- If eligible for MSW advanced standing, please complete advanced standing application
Ready to take the next step? Apply now online