Social Work Programs offered at Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University has become a top choice school for students pursuing careers in social work. The Social Work Department at NEIU offers Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. These programs give students the knowledge, skills, and values they need to serve different populations and tackle complex social issues.

The BSW program at Northeastern Illinois University has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1988. The MSW program received its original accreditation in 2019 and earned reaffirmation in 2023. This accreditation shows that both programs meet national standards for social work education and produce graduates with essential professional competencies.

The BSW program ranks second largest among majors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Both BSW and MSW programs have grown faster than any other programs in the college. This growth shows the rising need for qualified social workers and NEIU’s strong reputation in social work education.

Students in the BSW program learn to become generalist social work practitioners who value professional ethics and quality service for diverse clients. The program combines detailed coursework with field experiences to expose students to various social work settings and clients from different socio-cultural backgrounds.

The MSW program shapes future leaders and professionals through a trauma-informed approach. Students can choose between two paths:

• The Full Program (54 credit hours) for students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work
• The Specialized Curriculum (27 credit hours) for students with recent BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited institutions

The MSW program offers two distinct concentrations:

1. Social Work Practice with Children, Youth, and Families – Prepares students for interpersonal practice in settings supporting vulnerable populations
2. Leadership and Change – Prepares students for leadership, community organizing, advocacy, and administrative roles

Students can also pursue the School Social Work specialization. This path leads to becoming professional school social workers eligible for a Professional Educator License endorsed in School Social Work in Illinois.

The department’s faculty members are known for their exceptional teaching, research, mentorship, service, and scholarship. Their expertise spans clinical social work practice, policy, research, supervision, child welfare, public health, domestic violence, trauma, homelessness, school social work, and social activism. Faculty members work closely with state and private agencies to improve the social and economic wellbeing of vulnerable populations.

Field education remains the cornerstone of NEIU’s social work programs. Student interns work in nursing homes, schools, homeless shelters, hospitals, mental health facilities, juvenile justice systems, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Veteran Affairs, and domestic violence shelters. BSW and MSW interns provide more than 90,000 hours of service each year to local agencies.

These programs aim to prepare students to:

• Work as generalist practitioners in entry-level positions
• Enter graduate schools
• Think critically with social work values and professional identity
• Build on client strengths and capabilities
• Fight for human rights and social justice locally and globally
• Continue learning to improve professional skills, values, and knowledge

Students can join the Alliance of Student Social Workers (ASSW), a student-run organization that helps with advocacy and lobbying at university and community levels. ASSW creates discussions about local, national, and international social issues, brings in guest speakers, and works with other student clubs on various activities.

NEIU offers international experiential courses for students interested in global viewpoints. These experiences teach students about how global forces affect vulnerable populations at home and abroad.

NEIU social work graduates find jobs in mental health, health services, substance abuse treatment, school social work, government agencies, corrections, homelessness services, international settings, domestic violence prevention and treatment, and hospice care. Many students get job offers from agencies where they completed their field work, which shows how much employers value NEIU’s social work education.

NEIU stands out as the only publicly funded BSW program in Chicago. The university provides affordable, socially responsible, and community-based quality undergraduate social work education. This unique position lets NEIU serve students from all backgrounds while preparing skilled social work professionals ready to help vulnerable communities.

Where is Northeastern Illinois University located

Northeastern Illinois University sits in the heart of Chicago with multiple campus locations that help social work students across the Chicagoland area. Students from all neighborhoods and communities can easily reach these well-placed campuses.

The Main Campus is NEIU’s academic center. You’ll find it on a 67-acre property in North Park’s quiet residential area, just 10 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Students can reach the Main Campus at 5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. This peaceful setting creates the perfect environment for students to focus on their social work studies and grow professionally.

NEIU makes education available to more students through three additional campuses across Chicago and nearby areas:

• Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) – You’ll find this center at 700 E. Oakwood Blvd in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood. It provides a rich cultural learning environment.
• El Centro – This modern 55,000-square foot facility stands in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. The campus features a LEED-certified building with cutting-edge facilities. You can visit this innovative campus at 3390 N. Avondale Ave, Chicago.
• University Center of Lake County – Located at 1200 University Center Drive in Grayslake, this campus welcomes transfer students from Lake County who want to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

These campus locations show how NEIU reaches out to different communities throughout Chicago and its suburbs. Social work students benefit from this network because they can get quality education no matter where they live in the metropolitan area.

Each campus sits in a unique neighborhood. This gives social work students valuable exposure to different communities and economic environments. Such variety matches perfectly with social work’s focus on understanding diverse populations.

The Main Campus gives students a classic college experience while staying close to city resources. North Park’s quiet residential setting lets students focus on their studies while enjoying city amenities. Most BSW and MSW core courses happen here, making it the heart of the university’s social work department.

The Carruthers Center puts students right in Bronzeville, one of Chicago’s most historically rich African American communities. Social work students get real-life experience in a neighborhood full of heritage and modern social dynamics. They learn about community resources, urban challenges, and cultural understanding firsthand.

El Centro shows NEIU’s dedication to modern, green facilities. The LEED-certified building reflects the forward-thinking approaches taught in social work programs. Avondale’s diverse community adds value to students’ preparation for working with different populations.

Lake County and northern suburb students save time with the University Center location. Working professionals studying social work can balance their education with work and family life better.

Students get essential services at all NEIU campuses. The university helps with enrollment, financial aid, and academic support at most locations. This makes student life easier no matter which campus they choose.

NEIU knows that easy access to education leads to success. Multiple locations remove distance barriers that might stop qualified candidates from pursuing social work degrees.

Students in the social work program can practice in different settings thanks to these multiple campuses. They connect with various community organizations, healthcare facilities, schools, and social service agencies for their field placements—the substance of social work education.

Different neighborhood locations support NEIU’s community involvement and social responsibility goals. Social work students can use what they learn in class to solve real-life challenges in these communities.

NEIU’s multiple locations give it an edge for students looking at MSW programs in Illinois. Having classes near home or work often helps people decide on a graduate program, especially when they need to balance school with other responsibilities.

NEIU serves students from all backgrounds who want careers in social work through its multiple Chicago-area campuses. These thoughtfully placed locations show NEIU’s commitment to making quality education available to everyone in the Chicagoland area.

What social work programs does Northeastern Illinois offer?

Northeastern Illinois University provides excellent social work education options that match student needs and career goals. The Department of Social Work leads both undergraduate and graduate programs, which continue to draw more students each year.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is the university’s core offering. The program has managed to keep continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since 1988. Students learn generalist practice knowledge and skills that prepare them for entry-level professional positions and graduate studies. The program ranks as the second largest major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

NEIU’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives students detailed preparation they need for leadership roles. The program started in Fall 2016 and achieved full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in February 2019. The Council reaffirmed this status in 2023. The BSW and MSW programs have become the fastest growing programs in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The MSW program offers multiple paths that fit students’ educational backgrounds:

• Full Program – Students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work take 54 credit hours. The curriculum has both the 30-credit hour Generalist Curriculum and the 24-credit hour Specialized Curriculum.
• Advanced Standing – This 27-credit hour fast track serves students who earned their BSW degree in the last five years from a CSWE-accredited program. These students start directly with the Specialized Curriculum.

Students can choose flexible schedules. The Full Program takes two years full-time or three to four years part-time. The Specialized Curriculum needs one year full-time or two years part-time. Working professionals can attend classes during late afternoon and evening hours.

The MSW program’s two distinct concentrations help students shape their education around specific career goals:

1. Social Work Practice with Children, Youth, and Families – Students learn interpersonal practice skills to support vulnerable populations through direct service roles.
2. Leadership and Change – This path develops skills for leadership positions, community organizing, advocacy, and administrative roles.

NEIU also offers a valuable School Social Work specialization that pairs with either concentration. Graduates become professional school social workers eligible for a Professional Educator License endorsed in School Social Work (Pre K – Age 21) in Illinois. This state-approved program meets Illinois State Board of Education requirements.

MSW students gain hands-on experience through practicum placements alongside their coursework. The Generalist Curriculum requires 480 practicum hours during 400-level generalist courses. Students in the Specialized Curriculum complete 600 hours while taking 400-level specialized courses. School Social Work specialization students must work 600 hours in school settings, with qualified field instructors supervising at least 400 hours.

The BSW program prepares students as beginning-level generalist practitioners who uphold professional values and ethics. Chicago’s only public undergraduate social work program provides quality education available to serve diverse communities. Students experience various social work settings and work with clients from different socio-cultural backgrounds through detailed coursework and field experiences.

NEIU’s social work programs’ mission focuses on preparing students to help vulnerable populations while fighting oppressive systems. This approach lines up with today’s social work practice requirements in Illinois and beyond.

MSW graduates can apply for social work licensure in all 50 states. They find careers in clinical practice, supervision, and program director roles. Graduates work in mental health, medical and public health settings, child welfare, family services, school social work, and with rural and aging populations.

Both programs admit students in cohorts to create a supportive learning community. The MSW program welcomes new full program students each fall, while advanced standing students start in summer. This approach builds professional networks that last beyond graduation.

NEIU’s social work faculty brings varied practice viewpoints and theoretical approaches. Their expertise spans child welfare, family services, immigration, mental health, domestic violence, and social justice issues. Students develop critical thinking skills and professional identity under their guidance.

Field education at NEIU

Field education is important to social work training at Northeastern Illinois University. Many refer to it as the “signature pedagogy” of the curriculum. Students test and apply their classroom knowledge through hands-on experience. NEIU’s BSW and MSW students head over to extensive field placements that prepare them for their careers.

BSW students see their field practicum as the final piece of their education. The faculty believes this experience helps create competent entry-level social workers. NEIU runs field practicum alongside regular classes. This creates a learning environment where students apply theories right away in real-life situations.

BSW students put in 512 hours of practicum work in their final year. They spend three days each week at their assigned agency and two days on campus. Campus days include field seminars, research courses, and other required classes. Students work in real-life settings across Chicago and nearby suburbs. They learn about different client groups and social issues.

MSW students face more demanding requirements. Students in the Generalist Curriculum must complete 480 hours while taking 400-level generalist courses. The Specialized Curriculum asks for 600 hours at practicum sites alongside 400-level specialized coursework.

MSW field education follows this progression:

• Foundation Field Practicum: Students complete 240 hours per semester (approximately 15 hours weekly over 16 weeks)
• Advanced Field Practicum: Requirements increase to 300 hours per semester (about 19 hours weekly for 16 weeks)

School Social Work specialists must meet extra requirements. They need 600 hours in school settings. At least 400 of these hours need supervision from MSW-qualified field instructors. These instructors must have two years of experience with a Professional Educator License in school social work.

Students work with the MSW Director of Field Education to secure their practicum placement. The process starts with a formal application to the Social Work Department. The Practicum Office’s internship coordinators handle all site referrals.

Students can suggest practicum sites, but the Practicum Director makes the final choice. The director looks at each site’s ability to host student interns. This careful selection gives students quality learning opportunities that match program goals.

NEIU’s field education serves the community too. BSW and MSW interns provide over 90,000 service hours each year to local agencies. Students gain experience in various settings across social work practice.

All BSW and MSW students must join the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) during their practicum. This membership builds professional identity and connects students with other social workers. It also lets them buy student liability insurance through the NASW TRUST. This insurance protects students working in field settings.

The university tracks field education carefully. Students log their practicum hours in the SL&L system. Site supervisors must approve these hours for licensing requirements. Required hours vary based on program and courses.

Site supervisors evaluate their student interns about a month before each semester ends. Fall evaluations start November 5th and must be in by December 5th. Spring evaluations open April 5th with May 5th deadlines. These evaluations affect academic progress. Missing evaluations could mean failing grades or incompletes for the semester.

The BSW program uses Key Assessments during practicum. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires these to maintain accreditation. Students complete these assessments in field seminars. Their site liaison or NEIU instructor provides more details.

Students and site supervisors can always ask their liaison/university supervisor for help. Bigger issues move up the chain when needed. This support helps address challenges quickly and keeps the educational experience on track.

NEIU combines classroom learning with hands-on experience to create skilled social workers. Graduates leave ready to serve communities of all types.

What sets Northeastern Illinois University apart?

NEIU’s MSW programs stand out among others in Illinois. Students get several unique advantages that make social work education at NEIU special. The mix of availability, quality teaching, and community effect creates exceptional value that makes NEIU different from other schools.

NEIU is the only public BSW program in the Chicagoland area. It gives students affordable, socially responsible, and community-based quality education in social work. Many students who might face money problems can study here because it’s a public institution. Students get top-quality education without the heavy debt that comes with private universities.

The program has grown remarkably well. Dr. Jade Stanley leads the social work department, which grew from 43 undergraduate students in 1993 to about 420 BSW and 100 MSW students today. This dramatic development shows both the growing need for qualified social workers and how well the university meets that need.

NEIU proves its excellence through accreditation. The BSW program has managed to keep its accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since 1988. The newer MSW program got full accreditation in February 2019. Graduates can get social work licenses in all 50 states, which opens up career opportunities across the country.

The university’s faculty adds another special strength. These dedicated professionals bring different points of view and theories to their teaching. They specialize in many areas:

• Child welfare and family services
• Immigration support
• Mental health intervention
• Domestic violence prevention
• Social justice advocacy

Faculty members work with state and private agencies to help vulnerable populations’ social and economic wellbeing. This ground experience keeps classroom teaching current and relevant to today’s social work challenges.

Students get personal attention at NEIU. Small classes and few students per teacher let instructors work closely with students. This one-on-one guidance helps create skilled practitioners who can handle complex social issues after graduation.

The program works for everyone’s schedule. Classes run in late afternoon and evening to help working professionals. Students can finish the MSW program in four part-time years or two full-time years. This helps them balance school with work and family.

NEIU ranks among the nation’s most ethnically diverse universities. Students learn in an environment that matches what they’ll see in their careers. This multicultural campus helps develop the cultural skills needed for effective social work.

The university helps the community in big ways. BSW and MSW interns give more than 90,000 hours of service each year to local agencies. This shows NEIU’s key role in supporting community organizations while giving students hands-on experience.

Research makes NEIU special too. More faculty and students conduct international research worldwide. Many students start research projects during their program and continue in advanced studies. The Social Work program has guided the most McNair Scholars in the last five years, showing its steadfast dedication to academic excellence and research growth.

The MSW program’s mission is clear: prepare diverse professionals to help vulnerable populations while fighting systems of oppression. This focus on healing people and changing systems gives graduates a detailed view that makes them better at their jobs.

Students interested in schools have a special path. They can choose the School Social Work specialization to get a Professional Educator License with School Social Work endorsement in Illinois. The Illinois State Board of Education approves this program, giving a direct path to this special area.

NEIU combines affordable prices, academic quality, diversity, and community work in a unique way. This makes it a standout school for social work education in Chicago and beyond.

Next steps

Want to start your social work career at Northeastern Illinois University? Your first step is to meet with an advisor through the program director.

MSW program deadlines need your attention. Both Advanced Standing (Summer start) and Full Program (Fall start) applications share a January 15 deadline. You can access applications from late fall through early spring yearly.

The Full Program welcomes applicants with bachelor’s degrees outside Social Work. This includes graduates whose BSW is more than five years old or those from non-CSWE accredited programs. Advanced Standing spots go exclusively to recent BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs within the last five years.

Full Program applicants should have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 post-graduate GPA in at least 6 credit hours. They need three recommendation letters with one preferably from a former professor. A resume and professional statement (1,000-1,500 words) addressing specific prompts complete the application.

Advanced Standing candidates follow similar guidelines but write a shorter 2-page professional statement. They must include a recommendation letter from their BSW program’s director, field director, or faculty member.

Financial planning comes next after admission. Complete your FAFSA or Alternative Application to get your financial aid package. NEIU’s position as a state school makes it a budget-friendly choice for many graduate students.

MSW program graduates meet Illinois social work licensure standards set by the Association of Social Work Boards. Northeastern hasn’t yet determined if the program satisfies licensure requirements in other states since requirements vary significantly.

The Transfer Center helps students understand how their previous credits count toward their degree. Students from accredited MSW programs can apply for transfer credits, which makes changing schools easier.