Social Work Programs from National Louis University

National Louis University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree combines theory with ground applications. You’ll develop professional skills to succeed in social work through competency-based practice that you can apply right away in the field.

The BSW major requires 180 quarter hours. About 60% of your time goes to studying social work areas of all types along with a minor. This structure will give a deep yet broad social work education while letting you pursue your specific interests.

The program stands out because it focuses on competency-based practice. Social work competence combines knowledge, values, and skills in purposeful, professional ways to help communities and people thrive. Your coursework helps you build and show core social work abilities that employers want.

Program Curriculum and Focus Areas

The curriculum covers several key parts of professional social work practice:

• Human behavior and development theories
• Practice across micro-mezzo-macro systems
• Social welfare policies and service settings
• Social justice advocacy and program evaluation
• Shared problem-solving approaches
• Direct practice methodologies
• Community organizing techniques

You’ll learn processes that utilize the strengths of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This all-encompassing approach prepares you to work at multiple intervention levels.

Career Preparation and Outcomes

Social work jobs keep growing in a variety of settings. Your degree opens doors to start working right away or continue your education.

A newer study, published in 2021-2022 by National Louis University, shows they awarded 16 bachelor’s degrees in social work. This number dropped 36% from 25 degrees the year before. The graduates were 6% men and 94% women.

The program readies you for entry-level roles in:

• Social services agencies
• Child welfare organizations
• Mental health facilities
• Aging services
• Crisis intervention programs
• Immigrant advocacy groups
• Juvenile justice systems
• Community organizing initiatives

The degree also sets you up well for graduate studies in Social Work, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, or related fields.

Program Authorization and Accreditation

The BSW program has received initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This recognition verifies the program’s quality and ensures employers and graduate schools nationwide will accept your degree.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has authorized the program at several National Louis University locations. Students can attend the Downtown Chicago Campus (Chicago Region), North Shore and Wheeling Campuses (North Suburban Region), South Metropolitan Region campuses, or the Lisle Campus (West Suburban Region).

Students who want flexibility can take online classes if they live in states that participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

NLU received Initial Accreditation in 2024 after completing CSWE’s rigorous three-year process. This shows the university’s steadfast dedication to excellent social work education.

Distinctive Program Features

The program balances general preparation with specialized training. You’ll get ready for general social work practice while exploring specific areas like community organizing, trauma prevention and intervention, and community mental health.

This approach gives you broad foundations and specialized knowledge to make you more marketable. The focus on competency-based practice keeps your education relevant to workplace needs, and you’ll use what you learn in field settings right away.

Social Work major courses prepare you for real professional practice. The program combines theory with hands-on experience so you graduate ready to support communities and individuals effectively.

Where is National Louis University located

National Louis University has several locations throughout Illinois. The main campus sits in downtown Chicago. Students who want to study social work at NLU should know about these different campus options to pick the best location.

The main campus occupies two historic landmark buildings in downtown Chicago at 122 South Michigan Avenue and 18 South Michigan Avenue (the Gage Building). Students study right across from the Art Institute of Chicago in the Historic Michigan Boulevard District. The downtown campus has classrooms, computer labs, developmental skills laboratories, a library, and the NLU gift shop. The President’s office, Provost’s office, and other academic and administrative staff work here too.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program has approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to run at several NLU campuses in Illinois. These locations include:

The BSW program runs in four main areas: Chicago Region (Downtown Chicago Campus), North Suburban Region (North Shore and Wheeling Campuses), South Metropolitan Region, and West Suburban Region (Lisle Campus). Students can earn their undergraduate social work degree in many parts of Illinois.

Each campus has unique features. The Elgin campus sits in a growing business district near I-90 and Route 31. Working adults can take classes in late afternoon, evening, and on weekends. The Wheeling location works well for adults living and working in northwest Cook and Lake Counties.

The North Shore campus in Skokie welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from both the National College of Education and the College of Professional Studies and Advancement. Students use specialized group study areas that make shared learning easier.

Students studying culinary arts or hospitality management learn at the Goose Island location’s state-of-the-art kitchens and baking facilities. This campus joined NLU after they acquired Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.

The Lisle campus serves west suburban students with undergraduate and graduate programs in the National College of Education and the College of Professional Studies and Advancement. The campus houses the Reading Recovery Center, which gives education students extra resources.

Students who prefer online learning can still earn their BSW degree. The program runs online in states that belong to the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This option makes NLU’s social work education available beyond campus locations.

Modern facilities support learning at each campus. Most sites have computer labs with high-speed internet, student lounges for studying or breaks, and library services. Some campuses house specialized centers for specific fields, like the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership next to the Wheeling campus.

NLU’s campus locations stretch from downtown Chicago to various suburbs. This setup brings quality higher education to many different communities. Students can find an NLU location within reasonable distance to study social work or pursue other academic goals.

What social work programs does National Louis offer?

National Louis University’s social work education centers on a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program blends theory with practical experience and prepares students for various careers in social services.

Students need 180 quarter hours to complete the BSW program. Social work courses make up about 60% of the total coursework. This gives students both depth and flexibility in their education. During the 2021-2022 academic year, NLU awarded 16 bachelor’s degrees in social work.

Program Structure and Components

The curriculum has three main components:

1. Gateway Course (5 Quarter Hours)
   • SWK 200: Introduction to Social Work and Social Justice
2. Core Courses (40 Quarter Hours)
   • Human Behavior in the Social Environment (I & II)
   • Cultural Diversity and Social Justice
   • Social Work Practice (I, II, & III) focusing on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
   • Policy and Advocacy Practice
   • Research Methods
3. Field Education (15 Quarter Hours)
   • SWK 491: Field Education and Seminar I
   • SWK 492: Field Education and Seminar II
   • SWK 493: Field Education and Seminar III

Students get 400 hours of practical experience through field education practica. This real-life exposure helps develop professional skills through supervised application of classroom learning.

Learning Outcomes and Competencies

The program’s learning outcomes line up with CSWE’s Core Competencies. Students who complete the program will demonstrate nine key competencies:

1. Ethical and professional behavior
2. Engagement with diversity and difference
3. Advancement of human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
4. Practice-informed research and research-informed practice
5. Policy practice engagement
6. Engagement with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Assessment across all system levels
8. Intervention at multiple levels
9. Practice evaluation across all system levels

These skills prepare students to work effectively at micro, mezzo, and macro levels, giving them versatile abilities for various settings.

Admission Requirements

The BSW program has a two-step admission process. Students must first get general admission to National Louis University with preliminary status. Then, to get full admission status (needed before starting Field Practicum I), they need to:

• Complete all general education courses, including GEN 103 and MTH 102
• Pass SOC 101, PSY 101, HIS 102, and MTH 102 with a grade of “C” or better
• Pass SWK 200 with a grade of “C” or better
• Have a minimum 2.0 GPA on all previous coursework

Graduation and Licensure Requirements

BSW graduation requirements include:

• Showing CSWE Core competencies throughout curriculum and field experiences
• Getting a grade of C or higher in all Social Work major courses
• Keeping an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher

Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LSW) requirements include:

• Three years of verified supervised professional experience
• Passing the License Social Work (LSW) Exam
• Submitting an application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Program Availability and Options

In stark comparison to this, NLU doesn’t offer an online BSW degree option. The program is available at several Illinois campus locations, making it available to students across different areas.

The program stands at #393 nationally on College Factual’s Best Schools for social work list and #17 in Illinois. This ranking shows room for improvement while highlighting the program’s strong presence in Illinois’s social work education.

Career Preparation

The curriculum combines theory and practice to help students support individuals, families, and communities. Students learn competency-based practice with immediate field application to develop employer-desired skills.

Students will learn about:

• Social work processes and shared problem-solving
• Direct practice methods
• Advocacy strategies and community organizing
• Program evaluation techniques

Graduates can start careers in social service agencies, community health centers, health clinics, and similar settings. The degree also works well as preparation for graduate studies in Social Work, Public Health, Public Policy, or related fields.

The program uniquely balances general preparation with specialized areas like community organizing, trauma prevention and intervention, and community mental health. This approach gives students broad knowledge and specific skills that boost their career opportunities in today’s ever-changing social services world.

Field education at NLU

Field education is the substance of National Louis University’s social work program. Many describe it as the “signature pedagogy” of social work education. BSW students at NLU participate in structured field experiences that connect classroom theory with ground practice. This hands-on approach prepares you for professional social work careers.

Practical Experience Requirements

The BSW program at National Louis University follows standards set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students must complete field practicum courses that provide significant experience under professional supervision. These credit-bearing components blend directly into your academic curriculum.

Field education requirements at NLU has:

• Completion of SWK 491 (Field Practicum & Seminar I)
• Completion of SWK 492 (Field Practicum & Seminar II)
• Completion of SWK 493 (Field Practicum & Seminar III)

Students accumulate approximately 400 hours of supervised field experience. This matches industry standards, as most BSW programs nationwide need between 400-450 field hours. MSW students in other programs typically complete 1,000+ hours during their graduate studies.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

Students need several prerequisites before starting field education. The Social Work Program requires full admission status rather than preliminary standing. You must pass Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Families (SWK 304) and Social Work Practice II: Groups (SWK 305) with a grade of C or better.

After meeting academic requirements, you need to:

1. Submit your field education application form by the deadline
2. Provide required documentation based on your field site (may include criminal background check results, confidential disclosure statements, and acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter status)
3. Sign up for Social Work Practice III: Organizations and Communities (SWK 306) along with Field Practicum & Seminar I
4. Pass necessary program assessments, including the field competency review

Field Placement Process

NLU offers a collaborative yet structured field placement process. The Field Experience Director helps you find practicum placements that fit your learning needs and career interests. You’ll follow set procedures and meet deadlines for meetings, agency selection, and interviews.

NLU partners with numerous social service agencies throughout Chicago and surrounding areas. These partnerships give students access to diverse client populations and settings. The placement selection starts several months before actual field work begins.

Agency Partnerships and Settings

NLU works with various agencies that offer field learning opportunities across different practice settings. Each agency goes through a full picture to meet educational standards for effective learning experiences.

The social work program looks at several key factors when choosing field agencies:

• Agency mission and program description
• Funding sources and stability
• Client populations served
• Staff size and qualifications
• Levels of supervision available
• Learning opportunities matching CSWE competencies

The program looks for agencies that serve diverse at-risk populations and promote economic and social justice while upholding professional ethics and values. This careful selection ensures your field experience will benefit both your education and career.

Learning Expectations and Competency Development

Your field practicum helps you learn everything in agency programs, services, and policies. Students conduct intakes and assessments, practice case management, complete documentation, and sometimes join research projects.

NLU’s field education helps students develop and show the nine core competencies set by CSWE. Your experience centers on learning opportunities that let you practice these competencies in ground settings. This integration of theory and practice lets you work directly with clients under proper supervision.

Supervision and Evaluation

The core team of qualified field instructors who meet CSWE requirements guide your professional growth. They provide feedback and mentoring throughout your experience.

Your Field Education Director oversees your placement through regular contact with you and your field instructor. This includes at least two official visits to your field agency each semester. Regular monitoring happens through meetings, phone calls, and emails.

Performance evaluation runs continuously, with formal assessments at midterm and semester end. These assessments track your progress in showing core competencies and practice behaviors. Students also evaluate their field agency and experience at the end, which helps improve the program.

Graduation and Licensure Connections

Field education directly connects to graduation and future licensure eligibility. Students must show CSWE Core competencies matching Social Work curriculum and Field Seminar and Practicum III (SWK 493) to graduate. This experience is vital preparation if you want Licensed Social Worker (LSW) status, which needs verified supervised professional experience after graduation.

Field education at National Louis University bridges academic learning and professional practice. It prepares you for both graduation and a successful social work career.

What sets National Louis University apart?

NLU distinguishes itself from other institutions through its unwavering commitment to equity in higher education access and degree attainment. The university takes a unique approach that focuses on being “student-ready” instead of expecting students to be “college-ready.” This philosophy spreads through their social work programs and broader educational model.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

National Louis University serves a remarkably diverse student population. Recent data shows 50% of students identify as minorities, while 54% of undergraduate students are first-generation college attendees. Students qualifying for Pell grants make up 66% of the population. This mix of demographics creates a rich learning environment that proves especially valuable for future social workers serving diverse communities.

Students’ average age—28 for undergraduates and 37 for graduate students—shows NLU’s appeal to non-traditional and working professional learners. The university structures its programs with flexibility and accessibility as core priorities.

Innovative Educational Approach

Students experience personalized instruction within active learning communities at NLU. They work directly with faculty members in shared environments that maximize engagement and practical skill development. Social work education benefits particularly from this approach, as interpersonal skills and practical application take center stage.

NLU launched its Pathways program in 2015 after discovering that only 14% of Chicago Public Schools graduates earned bachelor’s degrees. The university reimagined its undergraduate approach to tackle common barriers faced by underrepresented students. This program includes:

• Blended, flipped adaptive learning models
• All-encompassing wraparound support services
• Data-informed teaching methodologies
• Professionally-focused curriculum design

The program’s success shows in its numbers—enrollment grew from 85 students in its first year to nearly 1,200 by year four. The retention rates exceeded peer measurements.

Affordability and Value

NLU’s tuition structure ranks “among the best values” in the region. This affordability helps students pursuing social work degrees, especially since starting salaries often don’t match the investment required at pricier institutions.

Professional Community Connection

Over 65,000 living graduates work in professions and communities of all types. NLU social work students gain access to this vast network of professionals. Their connection continues beyond graduation, creating opportunities for mentorship, internships, and career growth.

The university’s community engagement perfectly matches social work’s professional values. NLU remains “built on principles of urban education and accessibility”. This makes it an ideal training ground for future social workers committed to serving diverse urban contexts.

Field Experience and Employment Outcomes

Ground preparation through extensive field experiences is the core of NLU’s approach. Social work students complete detailed practica that form much of the curriculum. Strong employment outcomes for Pathways program graduates prove that this focus on practical application prepares students well for workplace success.

Personalized Support Structure

NLU stands out by providing “what students need to be successful in academics, career, and personal life”. This all-encompassing approach recognizes that student success depends on addressing multiple aspects of student experience—from academic preparation to personal challenges to professional development.

Social work students receive individualized attention and support as they direct themselves through the program’s rigorous demands. The Undergraduate College (UGC), established in 2018, extends this support model to all undergraduate students throughout their baccalaureate experience. Students receive consistent guidance from enrollment through graduation.

National Louis University combines affordability, accessibility, diverse learning environment, and student-centered support to create a unique educational experience. Students seeking an undergraduate social work degree will find a compelling alternative to traditional university programs. The institution serves underrepresented populations and mirrors social work profession’s core values, creating a natural fit between institutional mission and program goals.

Next steps

Want to study social work at National Louis University? The application process has several simple steps that will help you start your educational trip smoothly.

NLU’s social work program has a clear application path. You need to complete all required sections of the application form. First-time freshmen or students with fewer than 30 quarter hours (or 20 semester hours) of college credit must fill out every section of the application form.

Your application packet needs these important documents after submission:

1. Transcripts and Educational Records
   • Official high school transcript with posted graduation date
   • Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
   • Any AP, IB, or Dual Credit transcripts
   • Military transcripts and certificates (if applicable)

You have several ways to submit your documents. Your recommenders can submit letters while you complete your online application or send them directly from their professional or academic email to your enrollment representative. You should upload resumes and written statements through your application portal, but you can also send them as attachments to your enrollment representative.

Financial aid is a vital part of many students’ planning. Here’s how to apply for financial help:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using school code 001733
• Submit your FAFSA online (2-3 weeks processing) or via paper (4-6 weeks processing)
• Note that the financial aid year runs from July 1-June 30, so you must reapply yearly

You must have full admission to the program before becoming eligible for financial aid. The Bachelor of Social Work program has a two-step admission process—you first get preliminary status, then work toward full admission after completing prerequisites.

Check your email regularly for updates and next steps from the admissions team after submitting your application. Look through your spam folder too, as important messages might end up there.

You should attend an on-campus information session and financial aid seminar during orientation. These sessions will help you learn about program expectations and available resources. Call or email to schedule these visits.

BSW program candidates must achieve full admission status before starting the Social Work Field Practicum I course (SWK 491). This means completing all general education requirements and maintaining minimum grades in key prerequisite courses.

After finishing your degree requirements, you might want to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation awards this credential after you verify three years of supervised professional experience, pass the LSW exam, and file an application with IDFPR.

NLU’s admissions team will guide you through each step. Their student-focused approach means help is available whenever you have questions.