On any given day, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has as many as 2.4 million open cases. Some are relatively simple matters of signing people up for subsidized healthcare or SNAP benefits. Others, though, are far more complex.
People facing a combination of mental illness, abuse, addiction, and more don’t just need a one-time service — they need ongoing support from highly-skilled professionals. Earning a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) can prepare you to fill that role.
An MSW is a graduate-level degree that can help you become anything from a frontline social worker to an informed advocate who seeks justice for entire underserved communities. If you’re considering a career in this rewarding field, here’s what you need to know about applying to MSW programs in Illinois, the kinds of classes they offer, and how to find the right one for you.
Enrollment Requirements for MSW Programs in Illinois
While prerequisites and requirements vary between schools, most MSW programs in Illinois require applicants to meet certain criteria. Applicants must typically:
- Have a bachelor’s degree. While having a bachelor’s in social work (BSW), psychology, sociology, or another related field may help, most schools accept students with a bachelor’s in just about any field.
- Have a certain GPA. GPA requirements differ between schools, but competitive programs often favor applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to 3.0. However, some MSW programs look at a student’s cumulative GPA while others focus on applicants’ junior and senior years.
- Provide two to three letters of recommendation. Social work education requires academic ability and a passion for advocacy. MSW programs typically ask for letters of recommendation from people who can speak to these qualities. This can include professors and work supervisors, but schools typically tell applicants who they should seek recommendations from.
- Write a statement of purpose. MSW programs are built around strong principles and want to admit students who align with them. They often ask students to write an essay about their goals, passions, and how an MSW from their program will help them serve their communities.
These are the most common application criteria, but some MSW programs in Illinois may also ask about volunteer and social work experience, related courses you have taken, and GRE scores. In most cases, though, GRE scores are completely optional or not asked for.
Accreditation: A Helpful Tool for Finding the Right School
MSW programs dedicate a lot of energy to picking the right students. But considering how much effort you’ll be investing into your studies, you should develop your own criteria, as well. Each student has their own needs, but there’s one thing all future social workers should consider when choosing a program: accreditation status.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the agency responsible for accrediting social work programs across the nation. To earn CSWE accreditation, schools must go through a rigorous review process and adhere to strict educational standards. This helps students pick worthwhile programs and avoid scams. Just as importantly, CSWE accreditation helps employers pick worthwhile candidates.
In fact, to become a licensed social worker in most states, applicants must have a degree from a CSWE-accredited school. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), this is true for Illinois. So no matter what your goals are, CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Illinois should be at the top of your list.
Types, Formats, and Timelines: Choosing the Right MSW Program in Illinois
According to the NASW, serving diverse populations is only possible through an equally diverse social service workforce. Illinois MSW programs invite diversity by offering multiple types of learning formats. No matter your needs or background, there’s likely an MSW program in Illinois for you.
Traditional MSW Programs
Traditional MSW programs offer two options: full-time and part-time. Full-time students can earn their degrees in about two years. Part-time students can earn it in three to four years.
Full-time and part-time students both typically need to take 60 credit hours of classes to graduate. Depending on how many credit hours a class is worth, this roughly translates to about 15 to 20 classes. Part-time students take fewer classes per semester so they can keep up with their already busy schedules.
Online MSW Programs and Hybrid Programs
If you can’t relocate or need a little flexibility in your schedule, an online MSW program is an excellent option. Some classes will likely be pre-recorded lectures you can listen to anytime and anywhere. Others might be live sessions that give you the opportunity to connect with your peers and professors.
However, some MSW programs are offered in a hybrid format. This means some classes are offered online while others are offered on-campus. So if you need the convenience of online lectures but crave the connection of on-campus classes, hybrid programs strike the perfect balance.
Hybrid and online MSW programs in Illinois are offered on a part-time and full-time basis.
Advanced Standing MSW Programs
If you already have a BSW, you don’t have to take basic social work classes again. Most MSW programs in Illinois offer one-year Advanced Standing options that only include higher-level classes. As a full-time student, Advanced Standing programs take about a year to complete. Part-time students can finish Advanced Standing programs in two to three years. These programs typically have a 30 credit hour graduation requirement and can save students both time and money.
MSW FAQ: How Much Do MSW Programs Cost in Illinois?
Accessibility isn’t all about offering flexible schedules. It’s also about affordability.
According to our estimates, the average tuition of an MSW program in Illinois is about $37,000. This number comes from information gathered from multiple schools’ websites. Your own cost may vary.
If $37,000 doesn’t sound particularly affordable, consider that:
- Many of Illinois’ public universities offer MSW programs that cost $20,000 to $25,000.
- Social work students in Illinois often qualify for state-funded grants, need-based aid, and federal loan forgiveness programs. These programs are designed to bring more talented professionals into the field and can cut costs tremendously.
- Scholarships for graduate students are rare in most fields. However, that’s not necessarily true for social work. Local, state, and national organizations alike offer scholarships to MSW students who champion equity. Many social work programs in Illinois also offer their own scholarship opportunities.
So before writing off an MSW as unaffordable, be sure to investigate these opportunities. To get started, check out our list of financial aid resources for MSW students in Illinois.
The Curriculum: How MSW Programs in Illinois Prepare New Social Workers for Rewarding Careers
Master’s prepared social workers have a lot of career options. They can be advocates who address their clients’ most immediate needs. Others enter administration, research, policy analysis, and other big-picture roles. In Illinois, they can even become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) who diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
Entering any one of these roles requires mastering the fundamentals, learning more specialized skills, and practicing them in real-world situations. While the curriculum varies between schools, here’s what your plan of study might look like.
Foundations and Core Competencies
The first year of a full-time MSW program, often referred to as the generalist year, is mostly dedicated to social work’s core concepts and skills. Part-time students often spend three or four semesters on introductory classes. Advanced Standing students skip these classes entirely.
Social Welfare Policy
This class introduces students to the role of the social worker, different social services available to Illinois residents, and ethical obligations. At some schools, the history of social welfare is also included in this course. An overview of relevant laws may also be included, but many programs have an entire course dedicated to legal issues.
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Poverty, mental illness, abuse, addiction — none of these issues exist in a vacuum. To better serve their clients, social workers must understand how relationships and society at large affects what people do.
Cultural Competence
Every group, whether it’s the elderly, inner-city students, or the LGBTQ+ community, has its own history and needs. As a social worker, meeting those needs with respect and relevant services is your duty. However, cultural competence isn’t always its own class. Sometimes, it’s woven into every class in your schedule.
Social Welfare Policy
This class introduces students to the role of the social worker, different social services available to Illinois residents, and ethical obligations. At some schools, the history of social welfare is also included in this course. An overview of relevant laws may also be included, but many programs have an entire course dedicated to legal issues.
Case Management
Case management, or assessing clients and providing them with the right services, is one social work’s most fundamental skills. To carry out that duty successfully, social workers must know how to maintain records, work with other professionals, and track multiple cases at once.
Social Work Practice with Groups, Families, and Individuals
In this class, students explore the evidence-based techniques and theoretical models they’ll use in their careers. In most programs, these types of classes are divided into separate ones for individuals and families and for groups.
Social Work Research
Even if you don’t plan on going into research, knowing how different practices are designed, tested, and implemented is crucial to becoming a forward-thinking social worker. And as the social landscape shifts, professionals must be prepared to investigate emerging issues.
In addition to these courses, you may even take classes about specific techniques like motivational interviewing or issues like substance abuse in your introductory year. While many MSW programs in Illinois offer a similar foundational curriculum, they each bring something a little different to the table.
Advanced Classes and Degree Specializations
After learning the basics, social work students then move on to more advanced classes in their second year. This is where MSW programs in Illinois differ the most. Each program offers its own blend of degree specializations. Each specialization requires taking different classes. Here are a few you may want to explore.
Advanced Generalist
The Advanced Generalist specialization is a great option for students who want to keep their career options open and develop a skill set they can take anywhere. You’ll likely take classes that build on practices you learned in your first year or more advanced techniques like crisis intervention. However, Advanced Generalists still often get the opportunity to learn about social work administration and serving specific populations.
Population-focused Specializations
When it comes to helping others, a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely the solution. Each community has its own history and issues. Fortunately, many schools of social work offer degree specializations that prepare students to provide diverse communities with the support they deserve.
Depending on what your program offers, you might specialize in serving:
- Children and families.
- The elderly.
- Medical patients or hospice patients.
- K-12 students.
- Veterans.
- Immigrants and refugees.
- The incarcerated, victims, and people facing criminal charges (forensic social work).
- The homeless.
- People battling mental illness and/or substance abuse.
- Specific cultural, racial, and ethnic groups or the LGBTQ+ community.
In every specialty, students learn how to serve their clients directly and about any laws, theories, and organizational practices that relate to the agencies they might work for.
Administration and Organizational Leadership
Illinois is home to over 23,000 social workers and countless social service agencies. Meeting the needs of even one person demands cooperation. Social work administrators are responsible for facilitating it. In this speciality, you’ll learn how to assess and design programs, draft informed policies, and supervise large teams of professionals.
Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit agencies play a huge role in social work. Some provide services directly to their communities. Others assist other organizations in their quest to become more equitable and serve more people. Still more conduct research and lobby for reform. Because of these duties, nonprofits must often adhere to additional financial, ethical, and workplace regulations.
Community-based Practice
Social workers involved in community-based practice don’t just serve individuals. They empower entire communities to build their own support networks. Students who enter this speciality learn how to assess community needs, plan services, and connect community leaders to the resources (financial and otherwise) they need for long-term success.
Social Work Research
Even if you don’t plan on going into research, knowing how different practices are designed, tested, and implemented is crucial to becoming a forward-thinking social worker. And as the social landscape shifts, professionals must be prepared to investigate emerging issues.
The Fieldwork Experience
Fortunately, Master’s Social Work students don’t have to wait until they get their first job to put their knowledge to the test. In CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Illinois, students must complete a minimum of 900 hours of supervised fieldwork.
In most programs, the fieldwork experience is broken up into two parts. The first part is completed during the generalist year. Students observe licensed professionals and complete basic duties like client assessment and case management.
In their advanced year, students typically work in an agency aligned with their specialty. They carry out more advanced duties like counseling, program management, or running group meetings. At both stages, students work closely with an advisor from their school and an instructor from their placement. Students also typically meet during class to discuss their experiences.
Students can usually choose where they complete their fieldwork placements, but they must be approved by the school. If you’re not sure where to start your search, most programs maintain a list of local partner agencies.
Additional Certification and Training Programs
In some cases, social workers don’t just need an MSW. They also need a certification or license to work with their chosen population or in a specific kind of agency. Many MSW programs in Illinois either offer these certifications or prepare students to earn them.
Some licenses and certifications you may want to pursue include:
- The Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Social Work Endorsement (required for school social workers in Illinois).
- Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC).
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).
- Co-Occuring Disorder Professional (CODP).
Some schools also offer graduate certificates in areas like gerontology, behavioral studies, and healthcare advocacy. While these certificates aren’t required by law, they can help you refine your skills, apply concepts to new populations, and secure a job at the agency of your choice.