A career in military social work is a popular choice for veterans in their lives after completing their service, offering a stable career path and the opportunity to support their fellow veterans in a myriad of ways.
If you’re an Illinois-based veteran or active duty military member, good news: there are excellent and affordable social work programs across the state where you can pursue your next career moves.
These will offer you the opportunity to build advanced skills and gain an in-depth knowledge of the social work field so that you can become a care provider to other veterans and military members in need.
The state of Illinois is home to social work degree programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. While you will ultimately need a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree to qualify for any form of social work licensure, those who don’t yet hold undergraduate degrees can accelerate their educational journeys by obtaining Bachelor of Social Work (BSWs) on the way.
Pursue Meaningful Work Supporting Fellow Veterans
Many veterans find careers in military social work to be the perfect follow-up to their time in the armed forces, providing an opportunity to connect their military experiences to their lives after serving. Those who have faced struggles also find it deeply rewarding to be able to support their peers, offering a depth of understanding only veterans can offer.
There are a variety of military social work jobs with a range of responsibilities, from case management to direct counseling. The role you take on within the world of military social work will depend on your license level. As you pursue your MSW, your field internship will provide exposure to life on the ground at a military social work organization (such as the Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs) to gain a sense of where your interests and abilities will be most useful. You’ll also be looped into important advancements in social work practice with the military, ensuring that your training is meeting the standards of practitioners working today.
Study Social Work in the State Where it Started
Illinois-based social workers can boast a unique point of pride: the state is the birthplace of social work in the US. This is widely attributed to Jane Addams, a Nobel Prize recipient who founded the settlement house Hull House in Chicago in 1889. Offering a range of social services for low-income families, including childcare, adult education centers, employment bureaus, and more, Hull House became a vitally important institution in the life of the city, helping those who were struggling find stability and invest in their futures. Through Hull House, Addams and those she worked with also began to gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by disadvantaged communities, recognizing the interconnected nature of these problems and offering holistic supportive services in response.
Jane Addams and Hull House play a critical role in the history of social work in the United States, setting the model for social service programs across the country. These began to quickly gain traction in the years surrounding the turn of the 20th century, gradually becoming the extensive network of social work organizations that exist today. Though it is no longer an active social work organization (and now is a museum), the legacy of Hull House remains strong in the state of Illinois, continuing to inspire the social workers of today.
Use Your Education Benefits to Your Advantage
Though the programs in this guide were selected for their affordability, as a veteran or military member, you are strongly encouraged to research the military benefits available to you, as they can further reduce the cost of your education, sometimes eliminating it altogether.
As you likely already know, most veterans qualify for some form of federal aid, be it through a GI program or another form of assistance. You also may be able to find funding for your education as a veteran directly from schools themselves through the Yellow Ribbon Program. While different candidates receive different amounts of support from these programs, you’re urged to look into these carefully and pursue any opportunity for funding assistance you can find.
You are also strongly encouraged to research Illinois grant and scholarship opportunities offered by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, as these may also supplement your federal aid. At some VA organizations you may also be able to find career counseling for military veterans in Illinois, helping you navigate your options.
Index of Programs (listed in alphabetical order)
Take a look at the social work degree programs below to find the perfect one for you. Please take note of the following before you review these schools:
Chicago State University
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $12,754
MSW specializations:
- Direct Practice
- Program Planning & Administration
Illinois State University
Location: Normal
Nearby military bases: 182nd Airlift Wing (Peoria)
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $16,021
MSW specializations:
- Child and Family Practice
- School Social Work
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Location: Edwardsville
Nearby military bases: Scott Air Force Base
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $12,922
MSW specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
University of Illinois Chicago
Location: Chicago
Website
Nearby military bases: Naval Station Great Lakes, US Army Cadet Command 3rd Brigade
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work PM-Extended Study (3 year program)
Dual Degree: MSW/MPH
PhD. in Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,338
MSW specializations:
- Child and Family Social Work
- Mental Health
- Organization and Community Practice
- School Social Work
- Social Work Within Justice Systems
University of Illinois at Springfield
Location: Springfield
Nearby military bases: 183rd Wing (Springfield)
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Program delivery: On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $12,252
FAQs
How many years does an MSW program take to complete?
When taken on a full-time schedule, most MSW programs take two years to complete. On a part-time schedule, MSW programs typically take three years to complete. Those who hold BSW degrees qualify for Advanced Standing MSWs, which allow students to bypass a significant amount of MSW coursework, reducing their program duration to a single year.
What is the average military social work salary in Illinois?
There is no isolated report on the average military social worker pay in Illinois specifically, but an overall report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a mean annual salary range of $54,870 to $63,630 for social workers across the field, including in military social work jobs. This can provide a rough estimate for prospective social workers.
Do I need a particular license to practice social work in the military?
No. Rather, your social work license will determine the type of responsibilities you’re able to take on, such as those of a clinical counselor vs. those of a case manager. It is important to know which license you wish to pursue after graduating from your MSW program, but it will not affect which subfield of social work you are able to specialize in.
What is covered in MSW coursework?
MSW coursework encompasses a range of topics, from methodologies in practice to the history of military social work to the key ethical debates and discussions within the field. These help future social workers understand why the social work discipline works in the way that it does and what the key goals and objectives of social work practice are so that they can find a role that makes use of their individual talents and interests.
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.
