Of the types of Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in Illinois, online MSW degree programs offer the greatest flexibility. Whether you’re seeking an online clinical social work degree, online advanced standing program, or an online MSW that offers advanced training in a specific specialization, Illinois Universities offer options to suit your career goals.
The National Center for Education Statistics’ recent data regarding postsecondary education nationwide showed that roughly 1.8 million postbaccalaureate students were enrolled in at least one distance education course in fall 2021. Of those graduate students, 1.3 million took distance education courses exclusively.
Even after college campuses reopened in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns, 56% of graduate-level students were enrolled in at least one distance learning course. These students, based on the NCES definition of distance learning, received instruction via one or more technologies that allowed them to interact with their instructor synchronously or asynchronously.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Aspiring social workers have options when it comes to their education. There are eight accredited master of social work programs in Illinois and six accredited bachelor of social work degree (BSW) programs in the state.
Online degree programs allow students to tailor their education to their unique needs. Whether you’re a full-time employee making a career change, a parent going back to school, a professional in the social services looking to advance your career, or any of the many nontraditional students in the United States today, you can receive your MSW and become a licensed social worker (LSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Illinois.
Online MSW Programs and Main Campus Locations
- Aurora University – Aurora
- Chamberlain – Addison
- Dominican University – River Forest
- Erikson Institute – Chicago
- Loyola University Chicago
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana
- The University of St. Francis– Joliet
Online BSW Programs and Main Campus Locations
- Aurora University – Aurora
- Greenville University – Greenville
- National Louis University – Chicago
- Trinity Christian College – Palos Heights
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Urbana
These programs offer online clinical social work degrees and generalist degrees with specializations, such as child welfare, addictions, and school social work, that provide students with the same rigor as traditional on-campus programs while allowing them the flexibility to complete their studies within the parameters of their unique circumstances.
Aurora University
The School of Social Work at Aurora University offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that prepare students for generalist clinical practice and specialized social work, including addictions, child welfare, forensics, gerontology, health care, leadership administration, military and veterans social work, or school social work.
The 60-hour online MSW program can be completed in less than three years and 600 field placement hours.
The school also offers an online Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Social Work endorsement program for professionals who hold an MSW degree and want to work in Illinois schools, an online MSW/MBA dual degree, and an online MSW/MPA dual degree. The dual degree programs take about four to five years to complete and comprise 84 credit hours.
Students who have completed Aurora University’s BSW program are eligible for the MSW advanced standing program, a 1-year MSW program that includes 30 semester hours.
Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University’s Online MSW program is a 36- to 60-hour program that can be completed in about two years. The program is fully online and prepares students for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
The program offers an advanced standing option to students who have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years or BSW degree holders who earned their degree more than five years ago but have a social work license that’s active and in good standing.
Dominican University
The online MSW program at Dominican University in Illinois offers the following specialization tracks:
- Aging, Adulthood, and Gerontology
- Children, Youth, and Family
- Global Social Work Practice for Immigrants and Refugees
- Health and Well-Being
- Military
- School Social Work
Full-time, part-time, and advanced standing options include 60 credit hours of coursework and 1,080 hours of fieldwork and practicum courses.
Erikson Institute
The part-time, full-time, and 100% online MSW program options from the Erikson Institute offer clinical concentrations in children, adolescents and adults and infant and early childhood mental health. An advanced standing option is available.
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola’s online MSW degree program is offered as a part-time, fully online program that includes 49 credit hours of coursework completed in eight consecutive semesters, including summer terms. Specialized study options include leadership, mezzo, and macro practice (LMMP) and micro practice.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
This fully online 60-hour MSW program includes 30 hours of advanced curriculum in one of the following two concentrations: health/mental health or children, youth and families. People applying to the program may do so as regular two-year, online, or advanced standing students.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ranked in the Top 10% of Best Schools for Social Work by U.S. News and World Report, The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s iMSW Program offers advanced standing and traditional program options with concentrations in leadership and social change and advanced clinical practice.
In advanced clinical concentration’s focus areas include:
- Mental Health
- Schools
- Health Care
- Children, Youth, and Family Services
Students in the traditional program will complete 16 hours of core coursework, 32 hours of advanced coursework, and a two-semester field internship.
The University of St. Francis
The online MSW program at The University of St. Francis offers full-time, part-time, and advanced standing enrollment options for students who are interested in school social work and obtaining a professional educators license (PEL) endorsement and for advanced generalist students who want to specialize in one of the following social work areas:
- Aging/Gerontology
- Child Welfare
- Criminal Justice
- Developmental Disabilities
- Domestic Violence
- Forensics
- Health Care
- Immigration
- International Concerns
- Legal Systems
- Mental Health
- Schools
- Substance Use
GRE requirements vary by university, so refer to the admissions requirements section on the program website for information about GRE scores.
All Illinois online MSW programs require a number of field education hours based on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards, which state that field education is the signature pedagogy of social work. Contact the field director of your chosen program for information on your field practicum or internship placement options.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online MSW Program
When selecting an online MSW program, you’ll want to think first about your long-term career goals and your preferences regarding your learning environment. Are you comfortable with an asynchronous learning format? Are you able to attend mandatory virtual class meetings if they are required?
You’ll also need to consider the program costs and your financial limitations. How will you pay your tuition? Will you need financial aid? Do you qualify for a scholarship?
Once you’ve answered those questions, you can consider the program-specific factors, including:
- Enrollment type
- Length of program and advanced standing
- Faculty experience
- Concentrations and specialized study options
- Curriculum and coursework, including study of micro, macro, and mezzo levels
- Field placement partners
- Admission requirements
- Illinois licensure requirements for social workers
- Career services for students and alum
- Employment outlook for social work professionals
Of course, you must choose a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Is an Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree Worth it?
In Illinois, the path to licensure, whether an LSW or LCSW license, starts with a master’s degree in social work.
Licensed social work professionals have more career options, including clinical practice opportunities and the potential to work with specific populations, such as military members, geriatric clients, children and families, immigrants, people with substance use disorders, LGBTQ+ youth and adults, and the homeless.
The potential for career advancement and salary growth is also higher for social workers who have an MSW.
This is what makes the online MSW degree option appealing to so many professionals. Earning a master’s degree at any stage of your career is possible with the support and expertise of program staff and faculty that understand the needs of online students and the demands on their time and energy.
Salaries and Career Outlook for Social Workers with an Online MSW Degree in Illinois
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for social workers in the United States was $55,350 in 2022.
And the NASW’s 2017 survey of social work graduates indicated that salaries for MSW holders were more than $14,000 higher than salaries for social work professionals who had BSW degrees.