Top Social Work Schools in Illinois: Campus & Online Options
If you want to study social work in Illinois, you’re in luck! The state has almost 40 accredited social work programs, giving you plenty of great choices.
Illinois has something for every aspiring social worker. You can choose between private schools like DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago or public universities. The state’s top social work schools include a mix of prestigious private institutions and respected public universities; each bringing their own strengths and focus areas.
The programs are super flexible too. Out of these schools, 16 have advanced standing programs that BSW graduates can use to finish their degree faster. While 16 schools run campus-based or hybrid classes, eight of them also offer online programs to fit your schedule. The best part? Every program either has full Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation or is working toward it, so you’ll get quality education whatever school you pick.
Aurora University
Aurora University ranks among Illinois’s 50+ year old social work institutions. Its social work training programs date back to the 1970s, with roots that stretch to a small human services college founded during the Great Depression. The George Williams School of Social Work has managed to keep Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1969.
Program Overview
Aurora University’s Master of Social Work program equips students with clinical social work practice skills. Students learn to help individuals, families, and communities while promoting social change for vulnerable populations. The curriculum creates a strong foundation in generalist practice before students advance to specialized clinical work. The program upholds high standards of professional conduct that blend with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
Specializations Offered
Students can choose from nine specialization tracks in the MSW program:
- Addictions: Students learn to work with substance use disorders and qualify for the Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor examination
- Child Welfare: Students focus on child protection and family preservation, qualifying for Illinois Child Welfare Licensing Exam
- School Social Work: Students prepare for Illinois Professional Educator License with School Social Work Endorsement
- Forensics: Students combine social work with legal expertise
- Generalist: Students gain an all-encompassing approach to mental health and community advocacy
- Gerontology: Students learn to assess and treat older adults
- Health Care: Students study medical social work roles and healthcare systems
- Leadership Administration: Students combine MSW and MBA coursework for administrative roles
- Military and Veteran Social Work: Students learn specialized skills to serve military members
Program Format
Students can complete their MSW coursework at the Aurora campus, Woodstock Center location, or online. As an early adopter of employment-based internships, Aurora University partners with more than 50 organizations. This allows students to work full-time while earning field credit.
Field Education Requirements
Field instruction plays a vital role in the curriculum. First-year students complete about 15 clock hours weekly, totaling 450 hours across two semesters. Second-year students dedicate approximately 20 clock hours weekly, totaling 600 hours. The Addictions track requires a minimum of 500 hours.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale opens doors to admission. The university reviews lower GPAs case-by-case. Applicants need to submit two recommendation letters, a professional statement of purpose, a detailed resume, all previous transcripts, and complete a background check.
Duration and Flexibility
The MSW program offers several timeline options. Traditional MSW students choose between a two-year full-time program (15 semester hours per semester) or a three-year part-time option. Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last five years qualify for advanced standing. They can complete the program in just one year with 30 credits instead of the usual 60.
University of Chicago
The Crown Family School at University of Chicago offers a Master of Arts Program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration that sets it apart from other social work schools in Illinois. This AM degree (artium magister) equals an MSW but gives students a wider educational foundation. Students learn direct practice along with policy development, interdisciplinary research, and social science theory.
Program Overview
The program has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education since 1919, making it one of the top social work schools in Illinois. The curriculum helps create professionals who see individuals in their social context. Students learn how economic, organizational, political, and social factors shape social welfare work. They build core skills in ethical practice, critical thinking, diversity work, and human rights advancement.
Specializations Offered
Students select from five distinct pathways:
- Transforming Justice & Violence Prevention
- Integrating Health, Mental Health & Social Care
- Disrupting Poverty, Economic Inequality, & Social Exclusion
- Children and Families in System Contexts
- Global Health & Social Development
About forty percent of students complete a Program of Study. These are faculty-designed elective sequences that combine selected courses and field placements for specific practice areas.
Program Format
Students start with a first-year Core curriculum that introduces them to key social intervention methods, human experience diversity, and human behavior basics. They then choose between two concentrations. The Clinical Concentration focuses on prevention and treatment approaches in direct clinical practice. The Social Administration Concentration emphasizes advanced coursework in economics, politics, organization, and social welfare service delivery.
Field Education Requirements
Students complete their field education alongside coursework, creating a natural blend of theory and practice. They work at one of over 600 partner agencies in Chicago and provide around 225,000 service hours each year. Field hours differ by program type. Full-time clinical students complete 480 hours in year one and 640 hours in year two. Social administration students complete 480 hours in year one and 496 hours in year two.
Admission Requirements
The Crown Family School takes a comprehensive look at applications by reviewing all components together. GRE scores and interviews aren’t required. Applicants need to submit transcripts, three recommendations (two should address academic ability), a three-to-four-page statement answering specific prompts, and a current resume. International applicants must show English proficiency unless they meet specific waiver criteria.
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work has educated social workers since 1914. It remains one of Illinois’s oldest social work schools. The Master of Social Work program has held continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since 1921.
Program Overview
The social work program reflects the university’s Jesuit social justice tradition. Students become skilled professionals through mentorship and community-based research. The school ranks #28 nationally for graduate social work according to U.S. News & World Report. BSW and MSW programs teach students to tackle today’s social issues through engaging coursework and field opportunities. Students gain expertise in human behavior, social welfare policy, ethics, and serving diverse populations’ needs.
Specializations Offered
MSW students choose between two main specializations:
Micro Practice Specialization with four tracks:
- Advanced Clinical Practice: Prepares for clinical work in hospitals and mental health settings
- Certified Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselor Training Program (CADC)
- Migration Studies: Focuses on refugee and immigrant populations
- School Social Work/Professional Education License (PEL)
Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization with:
- Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP) track: Gives students skills for leadership roles in organizations, community organizing, and policy development
Program Format
The MSW program needs 49 credit hours and two internships totaling 1,000 hours. Students select from:
- Full-time option: Two-year completion time
- Part-time option: Four-year completion time (two classes per semester)
BSW graduates can earn both degrees in five years instead of six through an innovative 5-year BSW/MSW program. Students start MSW courses as juniors while paying undergraduate tuition rates.
Field Education Requirements
Field education plays a vital role with connections to over 1,500 agencies throughout Chicagoland. MSW students complete two distinct internship experiences:
- First-level (generalist) internship: 400 hours, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Second-level (specialized) internship: 600 hours, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Students pick from three internship timeframes:
- Fall to Spring (August-May)
- Spring to Summer (January-August)
- Summer Block (intensive 30-40 hours/week)
The school and internship site must approve each placement. Students arrange their schedules based on these requirements.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s School of Social Work stands out among Illinois’s top social work schools. College Factual ranks its BSW program among the top ten undergraduate social work schools nationwide. Students can choose from detailed education options at both undergraduate and graduate levels to prepare for various career paths in social work.
Program Overview
UIUC’s Bachelor of Social Work program has earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program readies students for entry-level professional and generalist social work practice. Students learn through a mix of classroom teaching and real-world field experience as they work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. The results speak for themselves – 93% of UIUC BSW graduates find jobs or get into their preferred graduate schools after graduation. Students need 120 credit hours to graduate, with at least 60 hours completed at Illinois.
Specializations Offered
Graduate students can choose between two main concentrations:
- Leadership and Social Change (LSC): This track gives students advanced macro practice skills. Graduates often become policy supporters, program directors, executive directors, or consultants
- Advanced Clinical: Students can focus on mental health, schools, healthcare, or children, youth and family services. This path leads to direct practice roles in counseling, community mental health agencies, and similar settings
Students must pick one concentration and complete an internship in that area.
Program Format
The BSW program comes in two flavors:
- A traditional on-campus experience for freshmen and transfer students
- The iBSW Program—a two-year online option that lets junior-level transfer students earn their degree from home
MSW students at the Urbana-Champaign campus can choose between full and part-time studies. The iMSW program offers flexible coursework so students can keep their full-time jobs while studying.
Field Education Requirements
Field education is the foundation of UIUC’s social work education. Students get hands-on experience through immersive learning. The school uses a block placement model that creates an intensive learning environment. BSW students finish all coursework first, then spend 27-29 hours weekly at placement sites.
MSW students have different requirements:
- Traditional students must complete 900 hours at placement sites
- Advanced Standing students with BSW degrees need 500 hours
- School social work students must meet the Illinois State Board of Education’s requirement of 600 hours
Program Duration and Flexibility
Traditional students complete the BSW program in four years. The iBSW program lets community college graduates and transfer students with junior standing finish in two years.
MSW program length varies based on background:
- Students without a BSW take foundation courses (16 hours), advanced courses (32 hours), and field internship (24 hours)
- Students with a BSW from the last seven years need only 32 credit hours of advanced coursework plus field placement
UIUC’s program options fit students at different educational stages and match various scheduling needs and career goals.
Dominican University
Dominican University’s School of Social Work takes a global approach to social work education. The school prepares professionals through programs that highlight truth, compassionate service, and social justice. The Council on Social Work Education accredits this institution, which prepares students to promote human rights and economic justice for all, with special focus on socially excluded populations.
Program Overview
Dominican University’s Master of Social Work program gives you the tools to lead social change in Chicago and beyond. The job outlook looks promising—expected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth makes the program’s graduates highly competitive in the marketplace. The MSW program’s graduates work in a variety of specializations. The program’s accreditation ensures quality standards through peer review. Each year, the curriculum tracks and reports student learning outcomes to assess core competencies set by CSWE standards.
Specializations Offered
Students can choose from several career paths:
- Traditional MSW program
- MSW/Master of Business Administration (MBA) combined program for expanded career opportunities
- MSW/Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) combined degree for leadership in disciplines sharing values of equity and social justice
- MSW/Master of Arts in Mediation and Conflict Resolution (MMCR) program for integrated training in allied fields
- School Social Work track to promote positive social change in educational settings
Program Format
The program offers flexible options for your educational experience:
- Full-time students complete 60 credit hours in four continuous semesters (two years)
- Part-time students finish in 3-4 years
- BSW holders can choose the advanced standing option with just 30 credit hours, completed in nine months full-time or two years part-time
- Students can take courses at River Forest campus, University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, or fully online
Field Education Requirements
Field education serves as the basis of Dominican’s social work training. Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours over 30 weeks (200 hours per semester) during the Generalist Practicum Year. The Advanced Generalist Practicum Year requires 500 hours over the same timespan (250 hours per semester). The university offers progressive placement opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally. Students have completed internships in Ecuador, India, Ireland, Latvia, Mexico, and South Africa. A 10-week Uganda international placement experience remains available. The field education office must approve all placements before students start their practicum.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale stands out among Illinois social work schools with its dedicated focus on rural communities and underserved populations. The program uses practice models specifically designed for the Southern Illinois area, the state, and the Lower Mississippi Delta region.
Program Overview
SIU Carbondale’s Master of Social Work program equips professionals with advanced practice skills to participate in ethical social work within public and private service systems. Research-based family and community practice models serve as the program’s foundation, with a special focus on rural areas. The university builds strategic collaborations with educational institutions, social service agencies, and community organizations to enhance social and economic opportunities. Students learn to deliver services that meet human service needs, particularly for poor and oppressed populations.
Specializations Offered
The MSW program features two main curriculum specializations:
- Health/Mental Health: Focuses on clinical practice in healthcare settings
- Children, Youth & Families: Addresses needs of younger populations with an optional School Social Work licensure path
Students can also pursue these additional credentials:
- Concurrent MSW and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
- Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
- Certificate in Gerontology
Program Format
Students can choose from several program formats:
- Regular Program: Students with non-social work bachelor’s degrees complete 60 credit hours (30 foundation + 30 advanced) starting in Fall
- Advanced Standing: BSW degree holders complete 9 summer transition credits plus 30 advanced study credits
- Reduced-Load Option: Students can maintain full-time employment while pursuing their MSW
- Online MSW: Complete program flexibility for distance learners
Field Education Requirements
Field instruction plays a vital role in SIU’s social work education through a concurrent field practicum model. Foundation year students must complete 360 total hours across fall and spring semesters, working approximately 1.5-2 days weekly. Advanced year students, including those with advanced standing, work about 3 days weekly to complete 607 total hours across both semesters. Students also attend a weekly two-hour integrative seminar that connects theoretical knowledge with practical application.
University of Illinois at Chicago
The Jane Addams College of Social Work at University of Illinois Chicago carries forward its namesake’s legacy through a CSWE-accredited MSW program that serves vulnerable urban populations.
Program Overview
The MSW program helps students develop advanced social work skills in specialized areas. Students learn five core areas: human behavior, social work practice, research, social welfare policy, and field instruction. The program requires 62 semester hours at the 400 level or above with a minimum 3.00 GPA.
Specializations Offered
Students can choose from five unique specialization tracks:
- Child and Family: Uses trauma-informed, strengths-based practice in family-centered contexts
- Mental Health: Covers assessment and intervention approaches from mild distress to severe conditions
- Organization and Community Practice: Builds leadership skills, community involvement, and policy reform
- School Social Work: Uses an ecological approach in urban public school settings
- Social Work within Justice Systems: A new track started in 2022 that helps people affected by justice systems
Program Format
Students can complete the program full-time in two years. The PM-Extended option lets students study part-time for two years and full-time in the third year. This flexibility allows students to keep their jobs during the first few semesters. Students with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs can apply for Advanced Standing.
Field Education Requirements
The college partners with more than 300 agencies across Chicago. Students must complete 450 clock hours of field instruction in their generalist year and 630 clock hours in their specialization year. These hands-on experiences help students work with at-risk populations.
Admission Requirements
Students need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 2.75 GPA for their final 60 semester hours. They should have completed 20 semester hours in social/behavioral sciences and a statistics course with at least a “C” grade. Applications close on June 30, and transfer applicants need to complete interviews.
Erikson Institute
Erikson Institute distinguishes itself among social work schools in Illinois by creating the first MSW program that weaves child development principles throughout its curriculum. Their graduates learn how early life experiences shape a person’s future development.
Program Overview
The CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program at Erikson gives students a developmental lens that helps them serve different populations effectively. Students learn how key factors like brain development, trauma effects, and relationship-based learning affect challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities. The program helps students build professional resilience through reflective practice and planned supervision. This developmental approach runs through every course, not just specific classes.
Specializations Offered
Students can pick between two specialized paths:
- Clinical Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Adults – A 60-credit program that helps support children and families through evidence-based interventions
- Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health – This path centers on supporting mental, emotional, and physical development of children from birth to age 5
Program Format
Erikson provides flexible learning options. Students can choose part-time or full-time study in hybrid or 100% online formats. BSW graduates entering the Advanced Standing program can waive up to 21 credit hours. Online courses combine independent work with immediate instruction—about 50% self-paced learning plus 1.5-hour weekly live sessions per course.
Field Education Requirements
The field education component requires two years of supervised practice totaling 900+ hours. Here’s how it works:
- Year 1: Generalist Skills – Students spend 14 hours weekly over two days (400+ annual hours) gaining foundational experience
- Year 2: Advanced Expertise – Students dedicate 17.5 hours weekly (500+ annual hours) in specialized settings while developing advanced assessment, psychotherapy, and intervention skills
Governors State University
Governors State University’s Bachelor of Social Work program champions social justice and prepares students to become generalist practitioners who can serve in a variety of populations as the world changes faster.
Program Overview
The BSW program at Governors State University helps students develop skills they need to become entry-level generalist practitioners. Students learn direct services and case management under close supervision. Students build competencies to work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. The CSWE-accredited program focuses on critical thinking, reflective practice, advocacy, and professional development. Students learn about human behavior within social, political, and economic contexts.
Specializations Offered
Governors State’s MSW program builds on the BSW foundation with two main specializations. Students interested in working with young populations can choose the Children, Adolescents, and Families specialization. The School Social Work specialization gives graduates the chance to qualify for Professional Educator License. Students can also choose subspecialties in Mental Health or Licensed Child Welfare to further focus their studies.
Program Format
BSW courses meet on campus once a week for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Students can complete their general education prerequisites on-campus, online, or in hybrid format. Working professionals can benefit from the MSW program’s afternoon/evening classes.
Field Education Requirements
Students must complete extensive documentation including learning contracts, time logs, and performance evaluations for field education. A 3.0 GPA is required for MSW students to enter field placement. Foundation students need 450 clock hours, while advanced students must complete 480-600 hours in school settings.
DePaul University
DePaul University’s Master of Social Work program brings the university’s global Vincentian mission to life by helping marginalized groups, especially in Chicago’s urban communities. U.S. News & World Report ranked the program 88th in 2019, up from 103rd in 2016. The program delivers quality education through collaborative efforts with university and community partners.
Program Overview
The MSW program gets students ready for advanced social work through a balanced mix of theory and hands-on experience. The program’s core values include professional ethics, human rights, and human dignity. Students need to complete 88 credit hours, with 56 credits spread across 14 foundation courses. The program’s Vincentian heritage makes it unique, along with its focus on advocacy and social justice in an urban setting.
Specializations Offered
DePaul’s three specialized concentrations help students focus their careers:
- Community Practice: Students learn to lead human service organizations
- Forensic Social Work: Students develop skills where human services meet legal systems
- School Social Work: Students gain theoretical and practical skills for educational settings
Students can also pursue dual degrees like MSW/Women’s and Gender Studies MA to strengthen their knowledge of social responsibility, advocacy, and activism.
Program Format
Students can choose from several flexible study options:
- Full-time option: Complete the program in two years
- Part-time options: Finish in three or four years
The Loop Campus schedules classes during weekday afternoons and evenings to help students balance their commitments. Small cohorts ensure students get personal attention from their professors. Field placements happen during daytime hours at Chicago agencies such as Catholic Charities and AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
Illinois State University
Illinois State University’s School of Social Work stands out among other Illinois schools. Their unique approach combines hands-on experience with a strong focus on creating positive changes in society.
Program Overview
The social work program at Illinois State prepares students to make meaningful changes in social, organizational, community, economic, and policy areas. Students learn through a mix of social work theory, practice, and research built on liberal arts foundations. The program gives students 30% more field experience hours compared to other universities’ requirements. Students develop skills to help vulnerable individuals and families. They learn to tackle tough challenges like violence, mental illness, drug abuse, racism, and poverty.
Specializations Offered
The School Social Work specialization gives you the skills to help students succeed in educational settings. Students spend a full academic year working in schools. They work closely with teachers and families to create personalized education plans. School Social Work takes two years to complete for Advanced Standing students. Students must pass the Illinois social work content exam (Exam 238) to get the Professional Educator’s License with School Social Work endorsement.
Program Format
Students need 120 credit hours to complete the BSW program through a well-laid-out four-year curriculum. The program starts with general education and prerequisites before moving to specialized social work classes in the third and fourth years. Students’ cumulative major GPA must stay at 2.50 or above to continue in the program.
Field Education Requirements
The field education has two main parts. Students complete the Generalist Practicum with 400 hours over 12 weeks during summer semester, working about 33-35 hours each week. The Specialist Practicum needs 700 hours spread across fall and spring semesters, with students working 22-25 hours weekly. Advanced Standing students only need to finish the specialist practicum in their final year.
University of St. Francis
The University of St. Francis stands out among Illinois’s social work schools. Their CSWE-accredited programs combine strong academics with practical experience to create compassionate practitioners.
Program Overview
The social work program at University of St. Francis shapes professionals who champion social and economic justice through education, service, and leadership. Students learn to work with people from different backgrounds while using ethical practices and proven intervention methods. The program builds culturally aware leaders who excel at working with various communities. Small classes create a supportive environment where students and faculty build meaningful relationships through engaging discussions.
Specializations Offered
USF gives future social workers several academic paths:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Students gain skills to become compassionate generalist practitioners
- Master of Social Work (MSW): Students can choose between Advanced Generalist and School Social Work concentrations to build their expertise and leadership skills
- Professional Graduate Certificate in Gerontology: Students learn specialized gerontology theory and research to help elderly populations
Program Format
Students can choose from flexible program options that fit their schedules. MSW students attend evening, weekend, and online classes that work well for professionals. Students get personal attention and interactive learning experiences in small classes. They can study at the Joliet campus or take fully online courses.
Field Education Requirements
BSW students complete a 480-hour internship in their senior year as a key part of their education. They attend an integrative seminar class while working at one of over 75 partner social service agencies. The field education director helps each student find internships that match their interests and learning goals. These hands-on experiences show students what social work looks like in ground settings.
Illinois Social Work Schools List
Get Started
The path to a rewarding career in social work begins with picking the right program. Illinois has 17 accredited social work schools. Each school comes with its own specializations, program formats, and teaching approaches. These schools will give you detailed training through their curriculum and field education opportunities.
Your trip might take you to private universities like University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, or DePaul University. You might also find your perfect match at public schools such as University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Each institution shines in its own way – through focused concentrations, schedule options, or unique teaching methods.
Illinois social work programs offer great flexibility. Most schools let you choose between full-time, part-time, campus-based, hybrid, or fully online options. BSW graduates can take advantage of advanced standing programs to complete their MSW degree faster and save money.
Hands-on experience is the backbone of any quality social work program. Each school profiled here partners with hundreds of agencies in Illinois and beyond to provide ground experience. These opportunities help you apply classroom theory and build professional networks.
CSWE accreditation runs through all these programs. This accreditation will give a solid foundation when you look for jobs or pursue licensure after graduation.
Your choice depends on what matters most to you – location, specialization interests, format needs, and costs. These top-rated Illinois social work schools have programs that match almost any educational goal or career dream. This overview should help you take your next step to become a skilled, caring social work professional who makes real changes in people’s lives.