9 Top MSW Programs in Illinois: Compare & Choose

Want to pursue an MSW degree in Illinois? The timing is perfect to start your career in social work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady job growth in this field. Healthcare social work positions should grow by 4.6 percent. Mental health and substance abuse social work jobs will likely see an 11.3 percent increase between 2022 and 2032.

Students can choose from 17 schools that offer masters in social work programs across Illinois. The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work stands out with its impressive third-place national ranking in the 2024 US News & World Report. Each school has earned full CSWE accreditation or progresses through the candidacy phase.

These programs offer great flexibility and options. Students with bachelor’s degrees in any field can enroll in traditional tracks at all schools. Advanced standing programs are available at 16 institutions. Campus-based and hybrid programs exist at 16 schools, while eight schools feature online learning options. This guide helps you compare nine top CSWE-accredited programs to find the best match for your goals.

1. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago stands out from other Illinois MSW programs with its unique take on social work education. This prestigious school offers an AM (Artium Magister) degree in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration instead of a traditional MSW. The degree carries the same value as an MSW but provides broader educational foundations.

MSW program explained

The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (renamed from School of Social Service Administration in 2021) has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation since 1919. This makes it one of the oldest accredited social work programs in the country. The program ranks third nationwide according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Schools for Social Work. Students learn through a viewpoint that shows how biological, economic, familial, political, psychological, and social factors affect individual experiences.

Students start with a first-year core curriculum that teaches social intervention methods, human diversity, and basics of behavior and development. The program blends direct practice with policy development, interdisciplinary research, and social science theory. This approach gives graduates more career options.

Getting into the program isn’t easy. Recent data shows 737 people applied, 430 were accepted, and 214 enrolled. You’ll need to submit transcripts, write a statement of purpose, and get three recommendation letters.

Specializations

Students pick between two main concentrations:

1. Clinical Concentration – About two-thirds of students choose this track to learn advanced practice with individuals, families, and small groups. The coursework includes:
   • A two-quarter sequence in one practice method (cognitive-behavioral, family systems, or psychodynamic)
   • A one-quarter course in a second practice method
   • Research and human behavior courses
   • Clinical field placement (minimum 640 hours)
2. Social Administration Concentration – Students focus on advanced coursework in economics, politics, organization, and delivery of social welfare services.

On top of that, the school offers five distinct pathway options:

• 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

Tuition and fees

Full-time MA students will pay $17,757 per quarter in 2025-2026, which adds up to $53,271 for the year. If you’re studying part-time, costs range from $5,919 for one course to $11,838 for two courses each quarter.

You’ll also need to pay these quarterly fees:

• Graduate Student Services Fee: $503
• CTA U-Pass: $125
• University Student Health Insurance Plan (optional): $5,145 yearly

The school helps many students with costs. About 95% of master’s students get merit and need-based tuition scholarships that can cover anything from a portion to all tuition costs. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should file the FAFSA using federal school code 001774 to apply for need-based aid.

Students at the Crown Family School learn through a mix of classroom work and real-life experience throughout Chicago. This combination prepares them for various roles in direct practice, policy analysis, community organizing, and leadership positions in schools, hospitals, government agencies, and international NGOs.

2. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago runs one of the oldest and most respected social work programs in the state. The program has maintained CSWE accreditation since 1921 and delivers a complete MSW experience rooted in Jesuit values of academic excellence, service, and social justice.

MSW program explained

The School of Social Work shapes future leaders through a challenging curriculum that tackles clinical, organizational, community, and social justice issues. U.S. News & World Report ranks the program #28 nationally for graduate social work, and its graduates stand out with unique expertise in the field.

Students need 49 credit hours and two internships totaling 1,000 hours to complete the standard MSW program. You can finish the degree in two years full-time or four years part-time with two classes each semester. Students with a BSW from the last five years can choose the efficient Advanced Standing option. This path needs just 23 credit hours and one 600-hour internship.

Loyola’s program shines through its strong network of strategic collaborations. Students get access to excellent supervised internship opportunities through connections with over 1,500 agencies, non-profits, hospitals, and schools across Chicago. The first internship requires 400 hours (16 hours weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays). The second internship needs 600 hours (24 hours weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).

Specializations

Students choose between two main specializations:

1. Micro Practice Specialization – Focuses on direct clinical work with individuals, families, and small groups
2. Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice (LMMP) Specialization – Emphasizes organizational leadership, program development, and policy work

Students can further tailor their education through various tracks:

• Advanced Clinical Practice Track – Prepares for micro-level clinical practice across settings like hospitals and mental health agencies
• Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP) Track – Emphasizes community organizing and policy development
• Certified Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselor Training Program (CADC) Track – Specializes in substance abuse treatment
• Migration Studies Track – Focuses on work with immigrant and refugee populations
• Schools/Professional Educator License (PEL) Track – Prepares for school social work

Program graduates meet the education requirements for both LSW and LCSW licenses. The LCSW requires additional post-graduate clinical supervision hours and passing a licensure exam.

Tuition and fees

The MSW program costs $1,130 per credit hour. Students pay $55,370 for the full 49-credit program. Advanced Standing students completing 23 credits pay $25,990.

Students must also pay these mandatory fees:

• Student Development Fee ($48-$194 per semester depending on enrolled hours)
• Technology Fee ($31-$130 per semester depending on enrolled hours)
• Graduate Social Work Field Fee ($100 per semester in fall and spring)

The School of Social Work helps students invest in their future by offering internal scholarships. These scholarships support incoming MSW students who show financial need, community involvement, academic excellence, and promise in social work.

The program features a diverse student body (50% White, 26.48% Hispanic/Latino, 8.33% Black or African American, 5% Asian, and 2.22% multiracial). Its 106 faculty members study areas like aging, trauma, migration, poverty, and substance abuse, creating a rich learning environment.

3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks 24th among 319 social work schools nationwide according to U.S. News & World Report. The School of Social Work occupies its own building on Nevada Street in Urbana, just three blocks east of the Main Quadrangle. Students get both academic excellence and hands-on field experience here.

UIUC MSW program explained

UIUC’s MSW program has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation for more than 75 years, showing its dedication to quality education. The program equips students to make meaningful changes that affect children, communities, and marginalized populations. Small class sizes make this program special. Students connect one-on-one with award-winning faculty and receive dedicated field support throughout their educational experience.

Students bridge classroom theory with professional practice through block placement internships. These real-world experiences help build essential skills and professional networks needed for successful careers. Program completion takes 12 months (three semesters) for Advanced Standing students or 18 months (five semesters) if you have an undergraduate degree in another field.

Concentrations and tracks

UIUC offers two main concentrations:

1. Advanced Clinical Practice – Students learn clinical work with individuals, families, and groups through specialized methods coursework.
2. Leadership & Social Change (LSC) – This concentration focuses on advanced macro practice with communities and organizations. Students choose between leadership/administration or advocacy/policy, with methods coursework centered on macro-level interventions.

Students can specialize further through these focus areas:

• Mental Health
• Schools (available only to Illinois residents in the online format)
• Health Care
• Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS)
• Advocacy, Leadership, and Social Change

The program begins with foundation coursework in human behavior, research, policy, and practice methods. Students then move to advanced coursework in their chosen concentration. The program ends with one or two semesters of field education/internship totaling at least 900 hours.

Tuition and delivery options

UIUC’s program comes in two formats to fit different needs. The on-campus program offers traditional in-person learning, while the online program (iMSW) lets students keep their full-time jobs.

Tuition costs for 2025-2026 vary by format and residency:

• On-Campus MSW Program: Illinois residents pay $11,360 per semester, non-residents pay $19,916
• Online iMSW Program: All students pay $620 per credit hour

The School of Social Work provides competitive financial aid through grants, assistantships, fellowships, stipends, tuition waivers, and endowed awards. Full-time on-campus students get most of these options.

Illinois residents with family incomes of $67,100 or less can get the Illinois Commitment financial aid package. This covers tuition and campus fees through scholarships and grants. This makes UIUC’s high-quality MSW education available to more in-state students who need financial help.

UIUC combines academic excellence with practical experience and flexible learning options. Graduates find diverse career opportunities in counseling, community mental health, advocacy, healthcare, schools, and many other settings.

4. University of Illinois Chicago

The Jane Addams College of Social Work at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) builds on its namesake’s legacy through its complete MSW program. UIC stands as one of the state’s leading urban-focused institutions and gives students resilient training in social work settings of all types.

UIC MSW program explained

The UIC Master of Social Work program, run by the Jane Addams College of Social Work, gives you the knowledge, skills, and competencies you need for advanced social work practice. This CSWE-accredited program offers several study options that fit different student needs. Full-time students finish the degree in two years and enter professional practice with thorough training.

Students who need more flexibility can choose the PM-Extended Study Option. This option lets you spread the first year of full-time study over two years, with classes scheduled in late afternoon and evening. PM-Extended students must switch to full-time study in their third year.

The curriculum follows two main parts. The Generalist portion builds foundations in social work practice, human behavior, research, policy, and field instruction. The Specialization portion takes these basics further with advanced content in your chosen focus area.

Field placements play a vital role in the program and help you gain hands-on experience with at-risk populations. Generalist-year students complete 450 hours of field instruction. Specialization-year students complete 630 hours, adding up to 1,080 hours of supervised practice throughout the program.

Specializations and certificates

Jane Addams College offers five unique specializations:

1. Child and Family Specialization – Highlights trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered practice in community-based services.
2. Mental Health Specialization – Readies students for specialized practice in behavioral health settings of all types.
3. Organization and Community Practice (OCP) Specialization – Centers on advanced organizational development and community practice in urban environments.
4. School Social Work Specialization – Gives you the skills needed for advanced practice in urban public school settings.
5. Social Work within Justice Systems Specialization (SWJS) – Prepares you to help and support people affected by juvenile or criminal justice systems through a trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach.

UIC offers extra curricular options if you want to work with specific vulnerable groups. Mental Health Specialization students can get specialized training to work with children who have mental health issues. Students in Mental Health or School Specializations can learn integrated evidence-based behavioral health practices.

You can also pursue a joint MSW/MPH degree program. This option lets you complete both degrees faster than if you took them separately.

Tuition and fieldwork

Your tuition costs depend on your program option and credit hours. Full-time and Advanced Standing students pay Range I rates (12 hours or more) each semester. PM/Extended Study students start with Range II rates (6-11 hours) for their first two years, then move to Range I in their third year.

The total cost includes:

• Base tuition by range
• Social Work tuition differentials
• Required fees and assessments

Graduate education is a big investment, so Jane Addams College offers some financial aid options in two main groups:

1. Student loans and work-study (through the UIC Office of Student Financial Aid)
2. Awards and assistantships (through the Scholarship and Award Program – SnAP)

Financial aid applications open January 15 and close April 15. Award announcements come out by July 15. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should submit their FAFSA before the deadline. International students need to submit the “Declaration and Certificate of Finances” form.

Chicago’s urban setting gives students excellent fieldwork opportunities. You’ll learn to serve communities of all types and fight for social justice—just like Jane Addams did.

5. Dominican University

Dominican University’s Master of Social Work program stands out with its family-centered, community-based approach to social work education. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this program prepares students to lead social change throughout Chicago and beyond.

Dominican MSW program explained

The MSW program at Dominican University has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. This credential shows the program meets or exceeds quality standards through a thorough peer review process. The job market looks promising, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects social work positions to increase 6% from 2024 to 2034—this is a big deal as it means that the average growth rate.

Students need 60 semester credit hours (20 courses) to complete the full MSW program, which includes foundational coursework in family-centered, community-based, and global social work. The program provides practical experience through 1,080 hours of supervised practice in partnering social service agencies. Full-time students can complete the program in two years (four continuous semesters), while part-time students finish in 3-4 years.

BSW holders from CSWE-accredited programs can choose the advanced standing option with only 30 credit hours, completed in nine months full-time or two years part-time.

Specializations and dual degrees

Dominican University offers several innovative dual degree options to expand career opportunities:

• MSW/MBA: Combines social work with business administration to prepare graduates for leadership roles in social service organizations or corporate social responsibility initiatives
• MSW/MLIS: Blends social work with library and information science, perfect for professionals seeking careers that combine these disciplines
• MSW/MMCR: Pairs social work with mediation and conflict resolution to meet growing needs for professionals with integrated training in these allied fields

On top of that, Dominican offers a School Social Work Endorsement program for those who want to create positive social change in educational settings.

Tuition and flexibility

The 2025-2026 academic year tuition costs $850 per credit hour. Dual degree students should know that course charges depend on each program’s specific rates.

Dominican makes studying convenient with multiple options. Students can take classes at the River Forest campus and the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake. Some courses are available online to fit different schedules.

Dominican’s alumni get a 20% tuition discount when admitted to the MSW program—a great benefit for continuing education. The Office of Financial Aid provides various options, including loans and grants.

6. Aurora University

Aurora University’s School of Social Work stands out with one of Illinois’s most versatile MSW programs. Students can choose from multiple formats and specialized tracks. The program gets students ready for clinical social work practice and works great for working professionals.

Aurora MSW program explained

Aurora University’s Master of Social Work program teaches students to help individuals, families, and communities. Students learn to drive social change that improves life for vulnerable populations. The curriculum helps build skills to assess, engage, treat, and evaluate different client systems.

Aurora sets itself apart by offering three ways to learn: classes at the main Aurora campus, the Woodstock Center location, or a fully online format. Students anywhere in Illinois can earn their MSW degree, whatever their location.

Students start with generalist courses before moving to clinical specialization. Field work plays a key role in the program. First-year students must complete 450 clock hours (about 15 hours each week). Students in their specialization year need 600 clock hours (roughly 20 hours weekly).

Specializations and formats

Aurora’s specialized tracks give students plenty of choices:

• Addictions Track – Gets students ready for substance use disorder treatment and qualifies them for the Illinois Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) examination
• Child Welfare Track – Students get specialized internship experience and prepare for the Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL)
• Military and Veteran Social Work Track – Students learn about military culture and therapeutic relationships with active duty personnel
• The program also offers tracks in Forensics, Generalist, Gerontology, Health Care, Leadership Administration, and School Social Work

Students can pick from full-time (two-year), part-time (three-year), or advanced standing options. Full-time students take 15 semester hours for four semesters. Part-time students complete nine semester hours during their first four semesters and 12 semester hours per semester in year three.

Tuition and scheduling

Aurora University’s MSW program costs $635 per semester hour. This rate stays the same for both the standard MSW program and dual degree options like MSW/MBA and MSW/MPA.

The program works well for busy professionals. Students can arrange field placements with the Director of Field Instruction’s help. They can choose from partner agencies that match their career goals. Advanced standing students can study full-time or part-time. Full-time students finish in just two semesters plus summer courses.

Some tracks lead to professional certifications. Students can earn credentials like the CADC for substance abuse counseling and CWEL for child welfare positions. These certifications give graduates an edge in Illinois’s competitive job market.

7. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) stands out with its MSW program that serves rural communities. This R1 classified research institution delivers quality social work education through campus-based and online formats.

SIUC MSW program explained

The MSW program at SIU Carbondale equips students with professional social work skills. Students learn to enhance individual life quality through social and economic justice. The standard two-year program needs 60 credit hours of graduate coursework – 30 hours of foundation curriculum and 30 hours of advanced courses. BSW degree holders can opt for advanced standing, which needs just 9 hours of transition courses plus 30 hours of advanced curriculum.

SIU Carbondale gives students great flexibility with its campus-based and online MSW options. The online program delivers similar educational content and arranges field placements close to students’ homes. This makes advanced social work education available to students whatever their location.

Specializations and certificates

Students choose between two main concentrations:

1. Health/Mental Health – This track covers psychosocial disorders, program evaluation, and advanced policy analysis in healthcare settings.
2. Children, Youth & Families – This path focuses on practice with families, child welfare, and youth-oriented services.

SIU Carbondale’s Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Social Work has endorsement from the Illinois State Board of Education. Students take extra courses like Social Work Practice in Schools (SOCW 533) and Advanced School Social Work Issues (SOCW 567). The program also offers interdisciplinary certificates in areas like Gerontology.

Tuition and field hours

Field education is the foundation of the MSW curriculum. First-year foundation students complete 360 field education hours over two semesters. Second-year and advanced standing students must complete 607 hours.

SIU helps students with various financial support options. These include institutionally-sponsored loans, scholarships, graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, and federal work-study opportunities. The university charges tuition per credit hour, and graduate student rates change yearly.

8. DePaul University

DePaul University’s Master of Social Work program builds on Vincentian values to teach ethical practice in urban settings. U.S. News & World Report ranks this Chicago-based program 88th among social work schools [link_1]. Students learn advanced practice skills they can use in a variety of human service organizations.

DePaul MSW program explained

The MSW program, 17 years old, needs 88 quarter hours with 24 hours of field education. Students learn foundation courses about professional writing, human behavior, social welfare policy, research, and practice methods. They complete their field work at agencies across Chicago. The program needs daytime availability for two academic-year-long internships from September through June.

Concentrations and dual degrees

The program lets students choose from three concentrations:

• Community Practice – Students learn leadership skills for human service organizations
• Forensic Social Work – Students work at the intersection of human services and legal systems
• School Social Work – Students can join starting Fall 2026

DePaul’s unique 3-year MSW/MA in Women’s and Gender Studies dual degree focuses on gender, community, and social justice. On top of that, students can earn certificates in Global Health, Social Research, or Critical Ethnic Studies.

Tuition and program length

Students can choose multiple scheduling options—full-time (two years), part-time three-year, or four-year plans. Full-time students take about four classes (16 credit hours) each quarter. Part-time students take two to three classes (8-12 credit hours). Evening classes at the Loop campus are available mostly for part-time students. The College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences sets the graduate tuition rate. Alumni get a Double Demon Scholarship that covers 25% of tuition.

9. Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University’s MSW program has emerged as a robust option for aspiring social workers in Illinois. The program earned its CSWE accreditation in February 2019. Students find an affordable path to advanced social work education through this state university’s trauma-informed approach.

NEIU MSW program explained

The MSW program helps students serve vulnerable populations and enhance underserved communities’ well-being. Students with non-social work bachelor’s degrees must complete the 54-credit Full Program. This combines a 30-credit Generalist Curriculum with a 24-credit Specialized Curriculum. Students holding BSW degrees can start directly with the 27-credit Specialized Curriculum. The program works well for professionals since classes run during late afternoons and evenings.

Concentrations and specializations

Students choose between two distinct concentrations:

1. Practice with Children, Youth, and Families – Students learn interpersonal practice skills to support vulnerable populations
2. Leadership and Change – Students develop skills for organizing, advocacy, and administrative roles

Both concentrations include the School Social Work specialization, which leads to Professional Educator License endorsement eligibility.

Tuition and class schedule

Students pay approximately $17,089 in annual tuition. Social Work graduate students will pay a 10% differential tuition rate starting Fall 2025. Field placements demand significant time – Foundation students need 480 hours while Specialized students complete 600 hours of supervised practice. Students can choose between full-time (two years) and part-time (four years) study options.

Choose Your MSW Today

These nine CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Illinois will without doubt set you up for a rewarding social work career. Each school brings something special to the table. The University of Chicago offers its prestigious AM degree (same as an MSW). Loyola connects you with 1,500 partner agencies. Aurora University lets you focus on specialized areas like addictions and military social work.

You’ll find plenty of ways to fit these programs into your life. The schools offer full-time, part-time, evening, online, and hybrid formats that work with your schedule, whatever your situation might be. BSW holders can take advantage of advanced standing options that cut down their coursework and finish faster.

These schools cover just about every area of social work you can think of. You can focus your studies on clinical work, community organization, school settings, healthcare, or policy development.

Hands-on experience is the life-blood of these programs. You’ll complete between 900 and 1,080 hours of supervised placements. This real-life experience helps you tackle ground challenges and build your professional network.

Money matters when picking a program. Costs vary a lot between public schools like UIUC and SIU Carbondale and private ones like the University of Chicago and Loyola. The good news is most programs help you manage costs through scholarships, assistantships, and tuition waivers.

Now is a great time to pursue an MSW. Job growth looks strong, especially in healthcare social work (4.6%) and mental health/substance abuse social work (11.3%) through 2032. Your MSW degree qualifies you for LSW or LCSW licensure in Illinois, opening doors to all types of career opportunities.

Your ideal MSW program should match your career goals, learning style, budget, and schedule. With this complete picture of nine top MSW programs in Illinois, you can make the right choice for your social work education and future career.