Are you eager to make inroads in your social work education, but unable to fit a four-year bachelor’s program into your schedule? You can kickstart your social work career now by getting an Associate’s Degree in Social Work (also known as an ASW).
An Associate’s Degree in Social Work can give you the foundational knowledge and core skills needed to take on entry-level roles in social work organizations as well as transfer credits to help you pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future.
Getting an Associate’s Degree in Social Work in Illinois is a great choice for prospective students who are looking for an affordable and expedient way to make first moves in long-lasting social work careers. This will provide training that can equip you to play an important supportive role on social work care teams.
The Social Work Associate Degree: An Overview
Social Work Associate’s Degree programs are typically 2-year programs offered by traditional colleges and universities as well as community colleges. Offered on-campus and online, they are designed to give students a broad overview of the most critical topics in social work, as well as offering preliminary skill-building to prepare students to become social work aides and assistants.
An Associate’s Degree in Social Work will not qualify you for social work licensure in the state of Illinois. To become licensed, one must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) or, in some cases, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited university.
However, an associate’s program is the fastest path to full-time work in the social work field. While you won’t be qualified for the responsibilities of a licensed social worker, you’ll have the skills and background knowledge to be an effective member of a licensed practitioner’s support team, playing an invaluable role to help individuals and families in need.
Associate’s programs can also serve as a useful educational stepping-stone for students who can’t take on the commitment of a four-year bachelor’s programs. In some cases, students are able to use their associate’s program course credits to bypass portions of a Bachelor of Social Work degree down the line, making their academic journey more digestible.
Curriculum in an Associate’s Degree of Social Work Program
Coursework in an ASW program is likely to touch on the most fundamental topics and skills needed to advance in the social work profession. Topics can include the following:
- Approaches to social work practice
- The history of the social work profession
- Emotional and behavioral counseling
- Child social work
- Healthcare social work
- Cultural competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices
In many ASW programs, you’ll take classes in several different departments, including Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, and more.
Are you a good candidate to get an ASW?
Associate’s Degrees in Social Work can be a great choice for many students who are eager to break into the field. However, the associate’s degree path is not an appropriate choice for every student.
ASWs are a good choice for students who don’t yet hold bachelor’s degrees, as they will provide a cost-effective way to obtain credits toward a bachelor’s degree down the line.
If you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree but have felt daunted by the coursework of a four-year undergraduate program, an associate’s degree can provide a more manageable alternative that can make a real impact on your career prospects.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree (in any subject – it does not have to be a Bachelor of Social Work), you are already eligible to pursue a Master of Social Work degree, which also takes two years to complete. This means that an associate’s degree will not be the best decision for you.
Benefits of Getting an Illinois Social Work Associate Degree
ASW programs offer aspiring social workers a few unique advantages that other degree pathways do not. So what are the benefits of attending an Associate’s Degree in Social Work program in Illinois?
- A short, approachable schedule. Getting a Social Work Associate Degree from a college in Illinois only takes two years – half the duration of a Bachelor of Social Work program. This can feel far more accessible for students who are apprehensive about committing to longer-term academic obligations.
- Affordable options. Because ASW programs are shorter than BSW programs, they can be expected to be more affordable. For students who are daunted by the high cost of tuition at many institutions, this can also feel easier to take on.
- A leg up in your future social work education. Because much of the ASW coursework overlaps with the curriculum in a BSW program, those who get their Associate’s Degrees in Social Work can often skip over redundant courses when they pursue bachelor’s degrees down the line. Indeed, many students who obtain ASWs intend to later pursue Bachelor’s or even Master’s of Social Work degrees, ultimately abridging their long-term academic plans.
- Immediate work opportunities. Because entry-level social work positions don’t require state licensure, those who hold ASWs are immediately eligible to seek aide and assistant jobs in the social work field. Some ASW students are eager to join the workforce as quickly as possible, whether for the sake of getting directly involved with social justice causes or out of a desire to start building a resume early.
If you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree, it’s worth considering these advantages as you decide between an ASW and BSW program.
Associate’s degrees can lead you to your first work experience as a social worker
As mentioned above, those who hold Associate’s Degrees in Social Work are eligible for some, but not all, social work positions. As unlicensed social workers, they are not yet qualified to provide clinical services such as therapy and counseling, and they also do not hold the credentials to be primary case workers for clients.
Those who get their Illinois Associate of Social Work degree are qualified to take aide and assistant roles in social work organizations, playing an invaluable role that ensures clients receive comprehensive care and internal operations are efficient and organized.
Any social work practitioner will agree that the work of aides and assistants is vital to the success of their organization, meaning ASW students can feel motivated by the knowledge that their work will truly make a difference.
Some of the top job titles for ASW holders in Illinois include:
- Home health aide
- Behavioral health aide
- School service aide
- Inpatient residential aide
- Social service assistant
- Program assistant
This is not a comprehensive list, but it should give prospective social work students an idea of the many different social work arenas where they’ll find job opportunities as a Social Work Associate.
Social Work Associate Programs in Illinois
The following index features a list of the best accredited social work programs in Illinois offering Associate of Social Work degrees. These include a mix of on-campus and remote programs (schools with an online Social Work Associate Degree program are noted). Schools featured include universities, colleges, and community colleges with social work programs in Illinois.
Please note that different Social Work Associate’s Degree programs offer slightly different degrees, though all will qualify you to transfer to bachelor’s programs as well as for entry-level social work positions. The type of degree you hold – Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), or Associate of Science (AS) – depends on the department hosting your social work degree. This can have some bearing on your academic future, as each program will feature different courses and in turn, different transfer credits. However, most programs will be sure to include many of the classes featured in Illinois universities’ core curricular requirements, meaning those transferring into bachelor’s programs should be able to do so with little trouble.
Are you ready to find affordable social work degrees in Illinois? Take a look at the schools below.
City Colleges of Chicago
Harold Washington College, Harry S. Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Olive-Harvey College, and Wilbur Wright College
Location(s): Chicago, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work (all schools)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Social Work (Kennedy-King College)
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,590
More than a century old, City Colleges of Chicago is one of Chicago’s oldest educational institutions, offering a variety of programs that provide quality education to students all over the city. Below you can find specific information about each college:
- Harold Washington College is one of its newer colleges, located in Downtown Chicago, right near the central district of “the loop.”
- Harry S. Truman College is the largest of CCC’s colleges, with a yearly enrollment of over 23,000 students. It is located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
- Kennedy-King College is one of the oldest colleges in the school, located in the South Side neighborhood of Englewood.
- Olive-Harvey College was founded in the 1950s and is located in the neighborhood of Pullman on the far South Side of Chicago.
- Wilbur Wright College is another of the school’s oldest colleges, located in the Northwest Harwood Heights neighborhood.
The Associate of Arts in Social Work degree is available at all five of the colleges listed above. This program consists of a mix of core curriculum classes and social work classes that are designed to provide foundational knowledge of the social work field as well as transfer credits that will be applicable at most Chicago universities for students intending to pursue BSWs later on.
Kennedy-King College also offers an Associate of Applied Science in Social Work that is not available at the other schools at CCC. This program places more of an emphasis on science, with coursework in the Human Development and Mental Health departments. Students interested in entering the field of healthcare social work may benefit from this curricular orientation.
College of DuPage
Location(s): Glen Ellyn, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Addiction Counseling
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,560
College of DuPage offers two tracks for students interested in pursuing social work careers: the Human Services – Generalist track and the Addiction Counseling track. The former is designed to equip students with a broad understanding of the social work field, with an array of Human Services requirements and electives to help students build strong foundations while also developing areas of specialty.
The Addiction Counseling track, meanwhile, is a six-semester program that includes field work in an organization providing supportive services to those struggling with substance abuse. This is an optimal choice for students who are certain they’d like to specialize in this important branch of the social work field, offering focused classes and on-the-ground experience to build the skills students need to take on entry-level roles in addiction counseling organizations.
College of Lake County
Location(s): Greyslake, IL
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $11,202
College of Lake County offers an Associate of Social Work degree designed specifically for students who hope to transfer into Bachelor of Social Work programs once they’ve obtained their AA in Social Work. This includes numerous core classes that students can use toward their BSW upon transferring schools. Beyond these general education courses, students will take several social work-focused classes in the Human Services department, providing a broad introduction to the social work field.
College of Lake County is one of Illinois’ only schools offering a fully online option, making it an attractive choice for students whose preference (or necessity) is to attend class from home. This is a great choice for students who live outside of Lake County but wish to attend CLC, as well as for students who are unable to take on the logistical burden of commuting to and from class.
Elgin Community College
Location(s): Elgin, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services – Generalist
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services – Substance Abuse Counseling
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,050
The social work program at Elgin Community College is hosted by the Department of Human Services, which offers two educational tracks: the Generalist program, which touches upon the variety of specializations and focus areas within the social work profession, and the Substance Abuse Counseling track, which is designed for those who know that this specialization area is where they intend to focus their academic career.
A large number of students in Elgin Community College’s AAS programs go on to pursue bachelor’s degrees, and the program is designed to provide transferable credits at many Illinois-based universities. If obtaining a bachelor’s degree is your eventual goal, you can build this into your educational plans early, taking classes guaranteed to shave off the duration of a four-year program down the line.
Joliet Junior College
Location(s): Joliet, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,530
Founded in 1901, Joliet Junior College is the oldest and first public community college in the United States. It is also one of the largest in Illinois, with approximately 27,000 students enrolled each year. Located at the Southwest edge of Chicago, its main campus is accessible to students who live in different parts of the city.
The Human Services AAS program at Joliet Junior College is designed to educate students in the fundamentals of the social work discipline with the long-term goal of obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work in mind. Making use of its long history as a Chicago institution, it has established transfer agreements with numerous local colleges and universities, allowing students to seamlessly apply credits from their AAS program toward their BSW degrees in the future.
Lake Land College
Location(s): Mattoon, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (AA) in Sociology/Social Work
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $3,405
Lake Land College offers a Social Work Associate’s Degree through the department of Sociology, grounding students’ education in a study of society and human social behaviors within it. This includes a survey of the variety of key topics social workers may address in their work, including sexuality and gender, race, family dynamics, criminal activity, and inequality. Some of these courses also include a consideration of psychology, helping those who wish to pursue clinical social work build up foundations that can help them pursue training as therapists and counselors.
Lake Land College’s program is designed to help students transfer to BSW programs in the future. For this reason, degree requirements include classes in a variety of subjects that are likely to be included in the core curriculum of many bachelor’s programs. These include courses in English, History, Math, Science, Art, and Communications. Students will also take classes in Psychology, which are likely to dovetail with many of the subjects they discuss in Sociology or Social Work classes.
Oakton College
Location(s): Des Plaines, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,087
Oakton College is located in the suburb of Des Plaines, just outside of the city of Chicago. Its Social Work Associate’s Degree program is hosted by the Human Services department. This program is designed to provide a multifaceted approach to the social work profession, touching upon human medical and psychological needs while enriching students’ understanding of the key procedures involved in providing supportive services to those in need.
Students in Oakton College’s AAS in Human Services program will take core curriculum classes that will be transferable at most Illinois universities as well as several Human Services classes designed specifically to build skills for future care providers. These courses include Counseling, Assessment, and Treatment Planning, among others. Students will also have the opportunity to choose from numerous elective courses to enrich their studies, including Criminal Justice, Adolescent Psychology, Family Systems and the Addictive Process, and Death and Dying, among many others.
Rasmussen University
Location(s): Aurora, IL; Mokena, IL; Joliet, IL; and Rockford, IL
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) of Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $12,396
For those looking to complete their associate’s degree coursework as quickly as possible, Rasmussen University’s AAS of Human Services program may be the perfect fit for you, offering a path to a degree in as quickly as eighteen months. This is one of the shortest program durations available for Associate of Social Work degree paths. Rasmussen University has campuses in numerous cities in Illinois as well as several other states, with students given the opportunity to complete classes in-person or remotely to suit their specific scheduling and educational needs.
The Human Services program at Rasmussen University features several courses that specifically build practical care provider skills for students, from intervention to administration to advocacy and more. These will demonstrate the wide variety of responsibilities that social service providers can take on, helping students to determine the type of work they’d like to take on in their future social work career. There are also several General Education requirements that will help students acquire transfer credits to be applied toward the core curriculum in bachelor’s programs down the line.
Shawnee Community College
Location(s): Ullin, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) of Social Work
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,480
Shawnee Community College offers a focused Associate of Social Work degree program designed specifically to prepare students for the occupational responsibilities of social service providers, touching on different focus areas within the social work field as well as the variety of professional responsibilities social workers can take on within the organizations they work for. The curriculum also features courses in Government, Psychology, Economics, and Biology, providing students with a well-rounded education that can help them transfer credits if they enroll in bachelor’s programs in the future.
Those who wish to get started working in social work organizations quickly will have the opportunity to do so in Shawnee Community College’s AAS of Social Work program. The final semester of the program includes a social work internship, allowing students to work at the organization of their choice to gain an understanding of the ins and outs of a social worker’s job. This can be highly motivating for students who are focused on building their careers, as well as gratifying for students who are eager to put their energy toward helping those in need.
South Suburban College
Location(s): South Holland, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,500
The Human Services Associate’s Degree program at South Suburban College includes coursework designed to provide an overview of societal issues as well as a primer in practical care. This program includes several internship requirements that can give students their first work experience in social service organization, providing an opportunity for hands-on skill building as well as a substantive knowledge of the day to day responsibilities of practicing social workers.
Students of South Suburban College’s AAS in Human Services program have the opportunity to concentrate in Addictions Studies. This specifies that students’ field work must be completed in a social work organization focused on addiction counseling and other supportive services for those struggling with substance abuse. Upon completing this program, graduates will be qualified to sit for the State Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) exam.
Southwestern Illinois College
Location(s): Belleville, IL; Granite City, IL; Red Bud, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (AA) of Social Work – Pre-Major
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $3,690
Southwestern Illinois College has campuses in three locations in Illinois, making it a convenient choice for students living in multiple parts of the state. The school’s AA of Social Work program is designed for students who know they wish to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon completing their associate’s degrees. Their recommended core curriculum courses include classes in the departments of Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Statistics, and Biology.
Those in the AA of Social Work program also have a variety of courses to choose from that they can use toward major credits in Bachelor of Social Work programs down the line. These classes also draw from a variety of disciplines, including Human Services, Sociology, Philosophy, and Economics. Together, these courses will provide students with a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of the social work discipline, from practical skills to the broader context of key societal issues in the United States.
Waubonsee Community College
Location(s): Sugar Grove, IL
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
Estimated tuition (per year, in-district): $4,050
Waubonsee Community College offers an AAS through their Human Services department, with a curriculum focused on mental health and human behavior. Students will build out an education in the different mental health issues individuals may struggle with, including (but not limited to) addiction and substance abuse, PTSD, and behavioral challenges. They will also be expected to complete field work in social service organizations, where they will begin to acquire the procedural skills and know-how needed to support those in need.
Those who are interested in pursuing work at addiction counseling and treatment centers have the opportunity to concentrate in Substance Abuse Disorder Counseling, a pathway that qualifies graduates to become Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (CADC). Waubonsee Community College’s program is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA), an advanced level of accreditation offering this opportunity uniquely to those who wish to start their professional lives as quickly as possible after school.
As you can see, there are excellent ASW programs all over the state of Illinois – as well as online offerings that can be taken wherever you are – providing a wealth of opportunities for Illinois-based social work students.
Associate of Social Work Salary in Illinois
While there is no isolated data documenting the salaries of ASWs in Illinois, one can look at the state’s overall salary ranges to get an approximate sense of what you can earn as a social work aide.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salaries of Illinois-based social workers in each primary social work field are as follows:
- Child, family, and school social workers: $63,590
- Healthcare social workers: $63,790
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $56,780
- Social workers, all other: $67,390
It’s worth noting that the BLS also ranks Illinois as one of the nation’s top-paying employers of school social workers, meaning those seeking higher salaries may benefit from investing their energy in school and child social work specializations.
Those who hold Associates Degrees in Social Work, it should be noted, are likely to earn lower salaries than those who hold higher level degrees (rendering them eligible for social work licenses). This can be a motivating factor for those who already have ASWs to pursue bachelor’s and even master’s degrees down the line.
All data accessed from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 report, accessed July 2024.
FAQs
Can I get a social work license in Illinois with an Associate’s Degree in Social Work?
No. To become an LSW or LCSW in Illinois, one must hold a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work degree, depending on the license level you want. (Read more about Illinois licensing requirements here.)
What can I do with an Associate’s Degree in Social Work?
Those who hold ASWs are eligible for entry-level positions in social work organizations, such as aides to clinicians and managerial assistants. These are roles that will involve minimal direct work with clients but which play an indispensable role on social work teams.
Is it possible to get an online Social Work Associate Degree in Illinois?
Yes! The arrival of online ASW programs is a tremendous opportunity for students who are juggling busy schedules, allowing them to access quality education without the logistical difficulties of attending an on-campus program.
Is it possible for ASW holders to put their credits toward Bachelor of Social Work degrees in the future?
Yes. It is possible for those who hold an Associate’s Degree of Social Work to put their coursework toward social work degree transfer credits in Illinois – this is many students’ intended academic path. That said, it is imperative for students considering doing this to take a close look at the credit requirements of each of the schools on their list to ensure that their ASW credits will be applicable.
How do I find financial aid for social work programs in Illinois?
There are many different ways that students can find funding support for their educational journeys. To start, many colleges and universities offer financial aid packages (some with work-study stipulations) to help lower the cost of tuition for motivated students. There are also private and public grant, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities offered by outside organizations that students must apply to directly. It’s worth making note of these while you are early into the ASW application process, as some of these require equally early applications. For a list of funding opportunities for social work students in Illinois, visit our guide here.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2024.