Make A Difference In Your Community
How to become a social worker in Illinois
Advocacy is a calling. By becoming a social worker in Illinois, it can be your career.
Explore MSW Programs in Illinois
The Master of Social Work (MSW) experience is unlike any other. Degree specializations allow students to pick paths that put their talents to good use. And through fieldwork placements, students get the chance to hone their skills alongside experienced professionals.
But the best part of it is that Illinois is full of different types of MSW programs designed for students of all kinds.
Becoming a Social Worker in Illinois
In Illinois, the title of social worker is highly regulated and legally protected. A degree in social work is only one thing you’ll need to become one. You’ll also need to apply for a state-issued license, decide which type of license you need, and possibly pass a national exam. Social workers in other states can also apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Finding Your Niche: Social Work Specializations
Perhaps the best part of becoming a social worker in Illinois is the wide range of specializations you can explore. And as the world changes, the talents of compassionate social workers will be needed in new areas.
Like the world at large, Illinois is getting older. Estimates say about 22% of the state’s population is 60 years old or older. Gerontology social workers help this growing population navigate the emotional, social, physical, and financial challenges of aging. [Read more…]
Child welfare social workers are some of the most vital specialists in Illinois’ social service workforce. But while protecting children is the main goal, child welfare social workers are instrumental to supporting the entire family unit. [Read more…]
Criminal justice can be harsh and mechanical for victims and the incarcerated alike. Social workers keep human rights at the center of any court preceding and hold the system accountable for its actions. [Read more…]
Economic recessions and job market lulls affect everyone. Financial social workers help people through these trying times by connecting individuals with life-saving relief programs and advocating for systemic financial reform. [Read more…]
Government agencies, whether they’re local, state, or federal, are often the first line of defense for society’s most vulnerable people. They both provide services directly and connect people to more specialized community-based resources. [Read more…]
Whether you need emergency care or long-term treatment, America’s healthcare system can be emotionally, physically, and financially taxing. Healthcare social workers ensure patients have access to all the help they need and protect their rights. [Read more…]
Estimates say more than 10,000 people in Illinois experience homelessness at any given time. Social workers meet their complex psychosocial needs, help them find emergency and permanent housing, and assist people who are on the brink of living on the streets. [Read more…]
Even when it’s the best possible decision, moving a loved one into hospice care is never easy. As a hospice social worker, you’ll help patients and their families through some of the most complex and emotional moments of their lives. [Read more…]
For Illinois’ 1.8 million immigrants, the American Dream isn’t always so dreamy. The social workers who serve them do everything they can to help them succeed in their new home. [Read more…]
Because so many people battle mental illness and addiction, this type of social work is one of the field’s most central specialties. The professionals in it do everything from emergency crisis intervention to long-term treatment planning. [Read more…]
Government agencies don’t always have the resources to meet all their clients’ needs. Nonprofit organizations often fill that gap while also performing groundbreaking research, educating the public, and advocating for reform. [Read more…]
Individual attitudes, organizational policies, and even legislation often put Illinois’ underserved populations at risk. In the broad field of social justice social work, you’ll make sure tomorrow’s world is a much safer and more equitable place for everyone. [Read more…]
Social work professors and university-based researchers lay the groundwork for progress. But in many communities across Illinois, schools of social work also support the efforts of government and nonprofit agencies alike. [Read more…]
Learn About Social Work Careers and Salaries Across Illinois
From the banks of Lake Michigan to the shores of the Mississippi, every community in Illinois has its own needs. Those needs come with different job opportunities and salaries for social workers. Use our city career guides to map out your own path.
Chicago
As the biggest city in Illinois (and one of the biggest in the country), Chicago has the highest concentration of social workers in the state. This, along with the many issues densely-packed urban areas face, makes a social work career in Chicago both rewarding and challenging.
Aurora
While Aurora is located just outside Chicago, it’s a city all its own. Its three school districts, dozens of healthcare providers, and large social service network give social workers in the city unprecedented career flexibility.
Springfield
The Illinois state capitol may not be as big as Chicago, but with multiple state and regional social service providers headquartered in Springfield, it could be a fantastic place for frontline professionals and administrators alike to further their careers.
Naperville
Naperville consistently ranks high in resident satisfaction surveys and it's easy to see why. It has two award-winning school districts, a massive healthcare sector, and has earned the title of a Dementia-Friendly City. Social workers are pivotal to preserving and progressing Naperville’s culture of care.
Peoria
With its position on the Illinois River, Peoria has long been one of central Illinois’ most important cultural and commercial hubs. While Peoria’s social service workforce isn’t quite as large as other cities’, private, nonprofit, and government agencies alike work together to make this Prairie State city more equitable.
Resources for Students and Working Professionals
There may be a lot of reasons why earning an MSW doesn’t seem like an accessible option. But fortunately, Illinois needs social workers and plenty of organizations can help you become one.
Financial Resources
Social workers and other desperately-needed public servants often qualify for specialized financial aid and loan forgiveness programs, grants, scholarships, and fellowships. Find out how to qualify and where to look.
Resources for Veterans
Veterans and active duty service members are entitled to certain educational and financial benefits. Learn about your options, how to apply them to earning an MSW in Illinois, and about programs that make the transition home a little easier.
Continuing Education
To maintain your social work license in Illinois, you must earn a certain amount of continuing education credits every two years. Learn more about these requirements and where to find continuing education providers in Illinois.
Social Work FAQs: Helping You Plan Your Future
On all levels, becoming a social worker in Illinois is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. But as rewarding as it can be, it can also be intimidating. Explore our FAQs and follow your calling with more confidence.