Throughout Illinois, MSW programs cater to the unique passions of their students, preparing future social work practitioners for the high-demand social work roles that the state must fill.
From full-time, part-time, and one-year MSW programs for advanced standing students, the diverse types of social work master’s programs in Illinois offer rigorous course work and field education opportunities that adhere to the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education.
Salaries for Specialized Social Workers in Illinois
As is the case with most jobs, the more specialized a social worker’s skill set, the more valuable they become in their field.
Social workers with degrees from MSW programs with specialized concentrations earn higher salaries than social workers who hold BSW degrees. The intensive experience graduates gain from specialized degree programs gives them a competitive advantage when seeking a job in a specific area of social work.
Focused instruction and field placement with distinct populations — such as children, older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans — benefit social work professionals as they advance their careers.
May 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that specialized social work occupations will grow faster than the average rate for other jobs over the next ten years.
Illinois Social Work May 2022 Occupation Data
Social Work Specializations | Employment | Mean Annual Salary |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI) | 11,370 | $61,860 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 3,330 | $62,640 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,590 | $54,870 |
Social Workers, All Other | 1,100 | $64,890 |
Illinois Program Options by Specialization
Social workers in Illinois have a broad range of social work specializations to consider when planning their careers.
Some of the most common specialized practice areas, such as school social work and child welfare, are in high demand in The Prairie State.
Child and Family Social Work
Child and family social work professionals are pivotal advocates for vulnerable Illinoisans. They practice in public facilities and private offices, offering support and guidance in areas including child welfare and case management. They contribute to individual interventions, community services, government policy and programs, and work in child protective services, schools, and clinical settings among others.
Illinois MSW Programs with Child and Family Tracks
- Aurora University
- The University of St. Francis
- Erikson Institute
- Dominican University
- Governors State University
- Illinois State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
Clinical Social Work
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) are equipped and authorized to practice mental health treatment, such as psychotherapy, and provide healthcare services in hospitals, clinics, and private practice.
Illinois MSW Programs with Clinical Social Work Tracks
- Aurora University
- Chicago State University
- Erikson Institute
- Lewis University
- Loyola University
- University of Chicago
Gerontology and Aging Social Work
Social workers who specialize in aging and gerontology support the fastest growing population in the United States. Older adults need a variety of services, including mental health counseling, long-term care, adult protective services, financial support, advocacy, and advance care planning.
Illinois MSW Programs with Gerontology Tracks
- Aurora University
- Dominican University
- The University of St. Francis
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Healthcare and Medical Social Work
From acute care, clinical interventions, rehabilitation, pediatrics, chronic care, oncology, aging, substance use disorders, and public health issues, healthcare social workers contribute to physical and mental well-being in hospital, clinical, and palliative care settings. They may also be involved in healthcare policy at the mezzo and macro levels.
Illinois MSW Programs with Healthcare Tracks
- Aurora University
- Dominican University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Criminal Justice and Corrections Social Work
Advocating for clients who are involved in the legal system, criminal justice and corrections social workers — sometimes referred to as forensic social workers — support victims of crime, youth in juvenile detention facilities, and incarcerated and formally incarcerated individuals. They work with law enforcement, judges, and lawyers. They may also work in survivor assistance programs and domestic violence programs.
Illinois MSW Programs with Criminal Justice and Forensics Tracks
- University of Illinois Chicago
- The University of St. Francis
- Aurora University
- DePaul University
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Work
With opioid overdose deaths in Illinois increasing by 8.2% from 2021 to 2022, mental health and substance abuse social workers are needed now more than ever to bolster the statewide Overdose Action Plan, which emphasizes social equity, prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction, and justice-involved populations and public safety as key strategic drivers for reducing overdose deaths in Illinois.
Illinois MSW Programs with Mental Health and Substance Abuse Tracks
- Aurora University
- Loyola University
- The University of St. Francis
- University of Chicago
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
School Social Work
According to the BLS, elementary and secondary schools are among the top paying industries for child, family, and school social workers in the country, with an annual mean wage of $67,990 and 51,550 employed social workers. From social-development assessments and counseling to parent education and teacher training, school social workers promote students’ academic success and support their social and emotional development at this critical time in their lives.
Illinois MSW Programs with School Social Work Tracks
- Aurora University
- Chicago State University
- Dominican University
- Governors State University
- Illinois State University
- Loyola University
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Chicago
- The University of St. Francis
Racial & Social Justice Social Work
At the individual level, social workers who specialize in racial and social justice advocate for marginalized groups and empower people through social work interventions that address economic disparity and promote equity and equality. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) highlights areas of macro- and mezzo-level service including “outreach, grassroots mobilization, lobbying, community development, and public awareness efforts.”
Illinois MSW Programs with Racial and Social Justice Tracks
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago
- DePaul University (forensic, too)
Trauma Social Work
Trauma social workers use psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to help people overcome traumatic events and begin the healing process.
Illinois MSW Programs with Trauma Tracks
- University of Chicago
- Chamberlain University
Immigration & Refugee Services
Helping immigrants and refugees access legal services, providing them with mental health treatment, and protecting their civil rights on the job, within their communities, and in health care settings are just a few of the critical supports that immigration and refugee social workers offer. The volatile landscape of immigration policy in the United States has elevated the need for qualified social work specialists in this area.
Illinois MSW Programs with Immigration & Refugee Services Tracks
- The University of St. Francis
- Dominican University
Other specializations that may be integrated into the curricula of Illinois MSW programs include:
- Occupational and employee assistance program (EAP) social work - Employs workplace interventions
- Public welfare social work - Takes place in government agency settings
- Developmental disabilities social work - Involves supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families
- Disaster and crisis intervention social work - Involves emergency response and recovery and trauma counseling
- Homelessness and housing social work - Assists people experiencing homelessness with short-term and permanent housing
- Hospice and palliative care social work - Takes place in hospice settings and addresses social and emotional needs at the end of life
- Social work research - Includes advanced research methods and data analysis, which may be integrated into an MSW programs but is typically part of a doctoral degree or Ph.D. in social work
Your chosen MSW degree program should offer a specialization — also referred to as a concentration or track — that matches your interests, skills, and career goals.