Women's Studies and Gender Studies (MA)/Social Work (MSW)
Loyola University Chicago is one of a very few institutions offering a dual degree in Social Work and Women's Studies and Gender Studies. Earning both an MA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies and an MSW in Social Work together allows students to complete these degrees more quickly by taking courses that carry credit in both fields. This dual degree program enables women's studies students to utilize their course work in an applied setting and allows social work students to enhance their capacity to work with women in social work settings after graduation.
Students interested in the dual degree in Social Work and Women's Studies and Gender Studies must apply to each school simultaneously and be admitted based on the criteria for admission to each school.
Related Programs
Curriculum
The Dual Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies and Master of Social work requires 18 credit hours in Women's and Gender Studies as well as the 49 credit hours required for the MSW curriculum. The MSW program requires two internships totaling 1,000 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MA in WSGS Course Requirements | ||
| Women's Studies and Gender Studies Required Courses | ||
| WSGS 401 | History of Feminist Thought | 3 |
| WSGS 402 | Foundations of Women's Studies | 3 |
| Global Feminisms Course 1 | 3 | |
| Global Feminisms | ||
| Migration, Identity, Sexuality | ||
| Select Three (3) 400-Level WSGS Electives 2 | 9 | |
| MSW Course Requirements | ||
| Generalist MSW Courses | ||
| Community Immersion Program (1-Week Community Immersion Program) | 0 | |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice 4 | 3 |
| or SOWK 504 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice | |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Specialized Courses | ||
| Courses Required of All Students | ||
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo and Macro Practice 4 | 3 |
| or SOWK 681 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Specializations & Tracks | 9 | |
| All students must choose a Specialization and Track. | ||
| Micro Practice Specialization | ||
| Schools/Professional Educator's License (PEL) Track | ||
| The Exceptional Child | ||
| School Social Work Policy and Practice I | ||
| School Social Work Policy and Practice II | ||
| Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors (CADC) Track | ||
| Clinical Practice in Addiction | ||
| Substance Abuse Treatment in Groups | ||
| Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders | ||
| Migration Studies Track | ||
| Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy | ||
| Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants | ||
| Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights | ||
| Advanced Clinical Practice Track | ||
3 Track Courses | ||
See Course Options for the Advanced Clinical Track 3 | ||
| Leadership, Mezzo & Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization | ||
| Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP) Track | ||
| Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations | ||
| Organizations, Program Development, and Evaluation | ||
| Community Organizing and Policy Practice | ||
| Electives | ||
| All students will choose to take two electives. Any 600 or 700-level course may be considered an elective. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
The third core requirement is a course that explores feminism in a global dimension; a number of different courses can satisfy this requirement.
- 2
Some graduate level electives are offered through other departments, including English, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Theology, Communications, Law, and Social Work. Electives recommended for students in the MA/MSW program include WSGS 480 Queer Theory, SOCL 426 Sociology of Gender, and THEO 480 Seminar in Christian Ethics.
- 3
- 4
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
Specializations & Tracks Options
The Master of Social Work program have the following specialization and track options:
- Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization
- Micro Practice Specialization
Social Work Internship
Students in the dual degree program must complete two social work internships, one each year, which involve a focus or some aspect that focuses on issues of gender or sexual orientation This means that the internships must provide students with experience in modalities of treatment or opportunities for program development that are focused on or relate to gender and/or involve students in advocacy activities in areas of concern that are gender related. While there are some agencies that clearly meet these criteria by virtue of their focus and service population, other agencies may be considered if at least 50% of the student's activities in these agencies meet the required criteria. All internships must be supervised by LCSW or MSW with 2 years post Master's experience.
Capstone Requirement
The required SOWK internships fulfill the required WSGS capstone experience for dual-degree students, but you must take WSGS 599 Capstone Presentation, the zero-credit-hour course that corresponds with the final capstone presentation, during your final semester. Upon completion of the program, all WSGS students do a capstone presentation, reflecting on the culmination of their work in the program as well as future applications of their WSGS curriculum, at the biannual WSGS capstone ceremony and celebration. Along with the capstone presentation, students are required to submit a brief synthesis paper and annotated bibliography of ten sources in Women’s Studies and Gender Studies that have been influential to their work.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Micro Practice Specialization
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| WSGS 401 | History of Feminist Thought | 3 |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS 402 | Foundations of Women's Studies | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Global Feminisms Course | 3 | |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK Track Course | 3 | |
| SOWK Elective | 3 | |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SOWK Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 1 | 3 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SOWK Track Course | 3 | |
| SOWK Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| WSGS 401 | History of Feminist Thought | 3 |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS 402 | Foundations of Women's Studies | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Global Feminisms Course | 3 | |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK 650 | Leadership & Supervision in Service Organizations | 3 |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice 1 | 3 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK 652 | Organizations, Program Development, and Evaluation | 3 |
| SOWK 653 | Community Organizing and Policy Practice | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SOWK Elective | 3 | |
| SOWK Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
Dual Degree Programs
Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduating from this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior. (MSW)
- Engage diversity and difference in practice, including promoting social and economic justice. (MSW)
- Engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. (MSW)
- Analyze major influences within key historic feminist/gender studies movements in a global landscape. (MA)
- Explain how women’s studies and gender studies are distinct and fundamental fields of study intimately connected to each other and other interdisciplinary academic disciplines across the university. (MA)
- Examine the intersections of identities (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, nationality, etc.) and the ways in which they contribute to instances of privilege and power dynamics across global cultures, space, and time. (MA)
- Understand their own relationship within their communities and that actions (or inactions) and cultural competencies are integral to addressing inequalities. (MA)
- Conduct research by privileging Feminist, Queer, and/or other Gender Studies theories and methodologies through both an intersectional and social justice lens. (MA)