After serving in the US military, many veterans struggle to figure out where to focus their career efforts. After all, the focus and dedication required of active duty service members leaves little room to think about the next phase of life. Upon completing their service, many veterans wish to remain connected to their military community, and equally many hope to find ways to channel their experiences in the armed forces toward their future career pursuits.
Becoming a military social worker can be the perfect way for veterans to stay engaged with the causes and community closest to them.
Fortunately, Illinois-based veterans and active duty military members have numerous excellent social work program options to choose from as they plot the next steps of their career. Take a look at the guide below to get an overview of the state’s top social work programs, as well as learning more about how to become a social worker in the military and ways you can make Illinois veterans benefits work for you.
A Career in Social Work Can Be the Perfect Next Chapter for Veterans
Social work and the military have long gone hand in hand, as the field has developed to address the needs veterans face upon returning to civilian life. These issues can range from emotional and psychological ailments to practical concerns such as securing housing and work. In fact, in working up close to veterans, social workers have helped illuminate the key struggles veterans face as a population, providing insights that have reshaped supportive services for the better.
Veterans can do amazing work as social workers for military members and fellow veterans, bringing their personal experiences to the table to provide deep understanding and compassion.
Many veterans find military social work jobs to offer a meaningful and fulfilling way of bringing their military experiences into their present-day life. For their clients, meanwhile, it can be a great source of comfort to work with a practitioner who can draw from their own life histories to offer empathy and assistance.
Your Social Work Career Starts With Your Education
If you’re wondering how to become a social worker in the military, the process is fairly simple. In order to become a licensed social worker in Illinois (as well as most of the United States), you must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
When taken on a full-time schedule, MSW programs typically take two years to complete, including your field work internship (also known as a practicum). Depending on which license type you’d like, you may either be ready for licensure exams upon graduation or may need to complete additional field work before qualifying for licensure.
You can enroll in an MSW program as long as you hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject. If you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree, your first step will be to obtain one. If you’re certain you wish to pursue a career in social work, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is your best option, as it will qualify you for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which are taken on an accelerated schedule, allowing you to launch your career as quickly as possible.
Thanks to the arrival of online education options, it’s now easier than ever to pursue your social work degree, as there are many schools offering remote or hybrid delivery models, allowing students a maximum of flexibility while pursuing their studies.
Taking Advantage of Your Military Benefits Can Eliminate Your Educational Costs
As you review the programs in the guide below, you may notice that many of them come with a fairly high sticker price. This is because many of these programs are private, and consequently have significantly higher tuition costs. However, as a veteran or military member, you may be able to reduce these costs greatly by using your military benefits.
Federal and state military and veterans benefits are expressly designed to support your career development, including your education.
In Illinois, state benefits are distributed by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Their offerings include Illinois veterans grants, scholarships, and work/study opportunities that are designed to help active duty service members and veterans (and in some cases, their families) pursue their goals. The VA can also offer career counseling for military veterans in Illinois, helping you navigate these programs.
There are also numerous federal benefits to support veterans’ education, including the GI Bill and other large initiatives supporting military members. Additionally, military-friendly schools can participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, taking on additional tuition costs to support veteran students.
Index of Social Work Programs (A-Z)
The following guide includes a list of top social work degree programs in Illinois. These include programs at both the BSW and MSW level. Not all schools offer both degree pathways, nor do all schools offer the same concentration pathways for MSW students, so it’s important to do careful research to be sure the schools on your list meet your specific goals.
Note: As it happens, the schools in this guide happen to primarily be close to the Great Lakes-area military bases. However, there are several other affordable options that are in proximity to other military bases in Illinois, in locations such as Peoria and Springfield.
Chamberlain University
Location: N/A
Nearby military bases: N/A
Website
Master of Social Work
Program delivery: Online
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $41,700
MSW specializations:
- Medical Social Work
- Crisis and Response Interventions
- Trauma
DePaul University
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work
Dual degree MSW/MA in Women’s Studies
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $66,704
MSW specializations:
- Community Practice
- Forensic Social Work
Dominican University
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: River Forest
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work
Dual Degree MSW/MBA
Dual Degree MSW/Library and Information Sciences
Dual Degree MSW/MA in Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Program delivery: On-campus, online
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $51,000
MSW specializations:
- Aging, Adulthood, and Gerontology
- Children, Youth and Family
- Global Social Work Practice for Immigrants and Refugees
- Health and Well-Being
- Military
- School Social Work
Erikson Institute
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus, online (part-time only)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $61,800
MSW specializations:
- Children, Adolescents, and Adults
- Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
Loyola University Chicago
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Aurora
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work (English/Spanish bilingual program)
Dual Degree MSW/MJ of Children’s Law and Policy
Dual Degree MSW/Juris Doctor (Law)
Dual Degree MSW/MPH
Dual Degree MSW/MA in Social Justice
Dual Degree MSW/MA in Women’s Studies
PhD. of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus, online (part-time only)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $51,205
MSW specializations:
- Micro Practice
- Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice
Northeastern Illinois University
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $27,811
MSW specializations:
- Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
- Leadership and Change
University of Chicago
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration
Dual Degree: MSW/MA of Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (full-time, in-state): $99,468
MSW specializations:
- Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- School Social Work
FAQs
Do you need to pursue a concentration in social work and the military in order to become a social worker for the VA or other military-related organizations?
No. In fact, none of the schools listed above offer specific concentration pathways in military social work. You can develop expertise by completing your field internship at an organization engaged in military social work, which will give you the skills and training you need to continue on this path upon graduating.
Can I complete my field internship online?
No. Your field internship is an important part of your social work education, providing on-the-ground training so that you can take on the difficult and delicate responsibilities of a social worker. For this reason, even if you are in an online degree program, your internship will still take place in person.
What is the average military social worker salary in Illinois?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has not issued a targeted report on military social worker pay, but their general findings for social workers in the state can provide a rough guideline. Their 2023 findings report an average salary range between $54,870 and $63,630 per year.
Can I obtain a social work license with just a BSW?
No. In Illinois and the rest of the U.S., one must hold a Master of Social Work degree in order to qualify for social work licensure. Though you may be able to find entry-level positions with just a BSW, you will need an MSW to become a case manager or counselor.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.
