Social Work Programs at Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program gives students the professional knowledge and skills they need to make a real difference in their communities. Graduates learn to work as generalist social workers in social service agencies throughout the country.

The program’s excellence shows through its accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1996. The accreditation was renewed in 2025 and runs through 2032, which means students get an education meeting the highest professional standards.

WIU’s social work program blends theory with hands-on experience. Students who graduate earn a median salary of $39,641 per year – higher than the national median of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree holders. These numbers show the true value of a WIU social work education.

Money matters when choosing a school. WIU keeps its costs budget-friendly with in-state undergraduate students paying about $14,085 in tuition and fees. Part-time students paid $312 per credit hour during 2022-2023, whether they lived in-state or out-of-state.

Diversity and inclusion are central to the program’s success. The 2021-2022 academic year saw 22 students earn their bachelor’s degrees in social work – 95% women and 5% men. The curriculum puts social and economic justice first while serving diverse populations.

The program’s mission speaks to its heart: preparing skilled generalist social workers who enable individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities locally and globally while supporting a more just society. This mission matches the social work profession’s core values – improving human well-being, easing poverty and oppression, and helping those in need.

Students learn in an environment that encourages respect for human diversity, champions human rights, values ethical practice, and deepens their commitment to helping everyone, especially those facing poverty. They grow through classroom learning, fieldwork, and community projects.

WIU’s social work faculty created their unique educational philosophy called “CARES,” outlining what makes great social workers:

• Competent – Prepared to practice at the generalist BSW level through curriculum built on nine core competencies
• Advocates – Challenging injustice and actively promoting the dignity and worth of all people
• Responsible – Acting as professionals with integrity
• Ethical – Continuously conscious of how their actions impact clients, coworkers, and the profession
• Service-oriented – Engaged citizens who contribute to finding solutions for local, regional, and global issues

Students build these qualities through their courses, professional growth activities, personal development, community service, and field work.

The program offers many ways to learn and grow. Students practice by recording interviews, leading group and family meetings, and joining service projects. They also work with faculty through groups like the Social Work Student Association, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Social Work Fall Fair, Social Work Career Panel, and community events.

Faculty members bring their social work experience into every class. Their practical knowledge enriches their teaching, research, publications, and community service. Students learn lessons that go beyond textbooks.

Social work opens doors for people who want to help others. Social workers look at both people and their surroundings, tackling external factors that affect lives and outlooks. They help clients and communities handle challenges better and create positive changes when needed.

Social workers do more than just talk about feelings – they help clients take action to improve their situations. This practical approach makes social work perfect for anyone seeking meaning, variety, satisfaction, and career options.

WIU graduates work in many places, including the Department of Child and Family Services, Community Crisis Center of Elgin, Center for Youth and Family Services, McDonough District Hospital Advocacy Services, and Lutheran Social Services. These placements prove how well the program prepares students for meaningful social service careers.

A social work degree from Western Illinois University combines rigorous academics with real experience. You’ll learn to tackle complex social challenges while making a real difference in people’s lives.

Where is Western Illinois University located

Western Illinois University has two unique locations in Illinois that give students different educational settings based on their priorities and needs. Founded in 1899, the university has grown from its first days as Western Illinois State Normal School into a detailed institution that greatly affects its region.

The main campus sits in the relaxed community of Macomb, Illinois. This sprawling residential setting covers 1,050 acres with 60 buildings, seven residence halls, and hosts the university’s NCAA Division I athletic programs known as the Leathernecks. Students can find the campus at 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455, which serves as the mailing address for all Macomb campus departments.

Macomb campus remains the foundation of WIU’s educational mission. This location stands “on the ancestral lands of the Illinois (Inoca) Indigenous people”, showing the university’s recognition of its land’s historical significance.

More than 7,000 students call this campus home and enjoy its excellent facilities. Students at Macomb have access to Campus Recreation’s fitness centers, intramural sports programs, and club sports.

Students looking for on-campus housing can choose from several residence halls:

• Caroline Grote: 720 W Adams St, Macomb, IL 61455-1333
• Corbin Hall: 410 N Western Ave, Macomb, IL 61455-1372
• Lincoln Hall: 700 W Adams St, Macomb, IL 61455-1376
• Olson Hall: 400 N Western Ave, Macomb, IL 61455-1377
• Thompson Hall: 1200 N Western Ave, Macomb, IL 61455-1378
• Washington Hall: 710 W Adams St, Macomb, IL 61455-1379
• Westbrook House: 800 Westbrook Circle, Macomb, IL 61455

The university’s second campus reaches into a metropolitan area through WIU-Quad Cities. Students can find this campus at 3300 River Drive, Moline, IL 61265, right on the Mississippi River’s banks. Built as a commuter campus, WIU-QC serves as “the public regional university serving the Quad Cities region and beyond” and is “the only public four-year university serving the Quad Cities region”.

WIU-QC helps the university serve students in northwestern Illinois and southeastern Iowa. The Quad Cities metropolitan area includes cities in both states, making this campus easily available to many communities.

Social work students benefit from having two campus options. Each location offers unique advantages to become a social worker in Illinois. Macomb provides a classic university experience with full campus resources and residential living. The Quad Cities location works well for commuter students who might already work in related fields or want a city setting.

Students can reach the university through different contact points. The Macomb campus answers calls at (309) 298-1414. Social work students interested in international service can visit the Peace Corps office at 503 Currens Hall on the Macomb campus.

Both locations show Western Illinois University’s dedication to quality education that everyone can access. Students from different backgrounds and places can join its academic programs, including its strong social work courses.

Business and social work administration courses blend together in Stipes Hall 101 on the Macomb campus. This setup shows how the university mixes different academic fields across its facilities.

Social work students at both campuses get great field education and internship opportunities through community connections. Both locations let students practice in different settings, from rural social service agencies near Macomb to city organizations in the Quad Cities.

Students can pick between Macomb’s rural charm or the Quad Cities’ riverside setting. Each campus creates an environment that helps develop social work professionals. These unique settings line up with different student priorities, learning styles, and career goals in social work.

What social work programs does WIU offer?

Western Illinois University offers a complete Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program that blends theory with hands-on skills to create tomorrow’s social work professionals. The program boasts continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1996, and this recognition now extends through 2032.

WIU’s B.S.W. program follows a well-laid-out path that prepares students to become generalist social workers ready to start their careers in social service agencies. These professionals help individuals, families, groups, organizations, neighborhoods, and communities in a variety of settings after graduation. Students gain specialized knowledge in several crucial areas:

• Human behavior and social environment
• Social welfare policies and services
• Social work values and ethics
• Social work practice and interventions
• Social and economic justice
• Social work research
• Human diversity
• Field education

This thorough education helps graduates work with children, adolescents, adults, and elderly persons who have different needs.

Students who want to know how to become a social worker in Illinois start their trip at Western Illinois University as Pre-Social Work students. Everyone begins with this status before moving up to full Social Work major candidacy. The Social Work program accepts students who meet these requirements:

1. Completion of SW 100 (or transfer equivalent) with a grade of C or better
2. Completion of or registration for BIOL 100, ENG 180, PSY 100, and SOC 100
3. Maintenance of a minimum 2.00 overall GPA
4. Submission of Social Work Program application materials
5. Successful personal interview with a Social Work faculty member
6. Acceptance by the Social Work faculty

Students must keep good grades and show professional growth after acceptance. They need to earn a C or better in every graded Social Work course and maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average in all Social Work courses before they can take the practicum course (SW 480).

Students must complete 100 volunteer or work hours in social services to boost their practical learning. These hours must be done before taking SW 440, which gives students valuable practical experience before their formal practicum. Students also need to pass evaluations of professional practice behaviors in SW 315 and SW 440 to stay in the program.

The Western Illinois University social work program merges liberal arts education through general university requirements with specialized professional training. This approach follows the CSWE’s Curriculum Policy Statement, giving graduates a complete education that combines broad knowledge with deep social work practice skills.

The B.S.W. program ends with the practicum course (SW 480), where students complete at least 450 hours of supervised social work experience in a social service agency. Students apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings under professional guidance during this intensive field placement.

The CARES framework makes Western Illinois social work training special by developing these essential qualities in students:

• Competent to practice at the generalist BSW level
• Advocates who challenge injustice and promote dignity
• Responsible professionals who act with integrity
• Ethical practitioners conscious of their impact
• Service-oriented citizens who take part in their communities

The program doesn’t give course credit for life experience or previous work experience, as CSWE Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards require. This rule makes sure all graduates complete the same thorough educational requirements.

Students grow professionally outside the classroom through the Social Work Student Association, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Social Work Fall Fair, Social Work Career Panel, and community events. These activities let them work closely with faculty and build professional networks before graduation.

Graduates can work in many different settings. The “generalist” curriculum gives flexibility, so social workers can change work environments or client populations based on their interests or job opportunities. Graduates find work in hospitals, adoption and foster care agencies, nursing homes, vocational rehabilitation services, substance abuse programs, schools, mental health centers, domestic violence programs, and many other places.

This degree’s versatility shows the wide reach of social work practice. Students often pick practicum settings based on their interest in specific client populations or specialties, but social workers typically work in different settings throughout their careers. Social work agencies include both public and private employers, and public agencies often contract specific services from private organizations.

Faculty members bring their extensive social work practice experience to the classroom with real-life insights. Their professional backgrounds add depth to classroom instruction, research, publication efforts, and community service work.

The Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, and Social Work houses this undergraduate degree program among graduate specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Professional School Counseling, Student Affairs, and Higher Education Leadership. The B.S.W. remains the core undergraduate professional degree that creates generalist social workers.

Field education at WIU

The Western Illinois University social work program’s foundation is field education. It gives students significant experience and connects classroom theory with professional practice. Students learn through two main components: required volunteer hours and a detailed practicum experience.

Social work students need to complete 100 volunteer or paid work hours in human service settings before starting their formal practicum. This requirement does more than just fill time. Students get to know how human service agencies work. They become more self-aware, build better people skills, develop professional behavior, and show their dedication to social work’s core values. These values include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Students have clear guidelines about where they can complete these hours. They must spend at least 50 hours in human service settings – organizations that help individuals, groups, families, or communities. Nursing homes, youth camps, licensed day care centers, and after-school programs are good examples. Students can spend their remaining hours doing community service through campus or community groups like SWSA, WAVE, or Crisis Intervention Training.

Documentation plays a vital role. Students submit Volunteer/Work Experience Verification Forms with their supervisor’s signature. Missing the 100-hour requirement before SW 440 (Pre-Practicum) starts will stop students from planning their practicum. This could push back graduation by at least one semester.

SW 480: Social Work Practicum marks the peak of field education. Students usually complete this in their final semester before graduation. This intensive program needs 450 hours of supervised, hands-on social work experience in an agency. It runs for at least 15 weeks, which means about 32 hours of agency-based learning each week.

Students must meet several requirements to start this final experience:

• Acceptance as a major in the Social Work Program
• Senior academic standing
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (calculated from courses within the major)
• Completion of all courses for the major with a minimum grade of ‘C’
• Completion of the Practicum Application and other requirements of SW 440
• Demonstrated readiness for professional behavior
• Completed placement arrangements
• Being within 20 credit hours of completing degree requirements
• Consent of the Director of Field Education and Department Chairperson

The practicum uses a block model – students complete it in one semester after finishing all social work courses. This lets them focus fully on their agency work without splitting time between field work and classes.

Students attend an integrative seminar twice monthly during their practicum. These sessions give them chances to discuss and get guidance from instructors. The seminars help students learn about diversity, ethics, time management, supervision, boundaries, personal safety, professionalism, networking, organizational politics, and termination.

Placement agencies cover child welfare, health care, mental health, geriatrics, domestic violence, schools, and corrections. Students help clients through assessment, supportive counseling, case management, linkage, and skill development.

Students can pick agencies from an approved list within 80 miles of Macomb that meet agency/field instructor qualifications. The Director of Field Education handles all agency contacts – students shouldn’t reach out to agencies directly.

Students can do their practicum at their workplace if they’ll learn new social work knowledge, values, and skills. This needs an Application for Field Practicum at Place of Employment form and a talk with the Director of Field Education.

Agency staff and university faculty supervise the field experience together. A WIU faculty member serves as field liaison, running the seminar and staying in touch with both agency and student throughout placement. This creates a support system that helps students build professional skills effectively.

Students get a letter grade based on their field and seminar performance. The course gives 13 credit hours. Many agencies need criminal background checks or fingerprinting before placement.

The Nancy Coney Field Education Grant helps students with money issues. It offers up to $100 once for expenses like travel to interviews or placements, required clothing, or course materials.

Field education benefits more than just students. WIU’s social work majors have given over 250,000 hours of service to nearby communities. This shows how field education helps both student growth and community needs.

Anyone thinking about how to become a social worker in Illinois should know field education’s importance. It’s not just extra training – it’s a vital part of becoming a professional that employers value highly. When classroom knowledge meets supervised field experience, graduates are truly ready for professional practice.

What sets Western Illinois University apart?

WIU’s social work program stands out from other schools through its blend of individual-specific experiences and expert faculty. Students thrive both personally and professionally here, thanks to the individual attention they receive – something larger universities can’t match.

The program’s strength lies in its faculty’s extensive social work practice experience. Their background makes their teaching, research, publications, and community service work more effective. These instructors bring practical wisdom that connects theory to everyday social work situations. Students get a detailed view of their future profession.

Hands-on learning makes this program different from its competitors. Students learn by recording interviews, running group and family meetings, and joining service learning projects. They develop vital skills in a supportive setting before starting their field placements.

Students can easily reach their professors. A non-traditional student, who is also a veteran and has a disability, shared: “I am forever grateful for the compassion, dedication, kindness and patience that the social work faculty at WIU continue to provide me”. This support proves especially helpful for students dealing with extra challenges.

The program moved to Horrabin Hall, which created new ways for students and faculty to interact. Faculty offices are now closer to students, with dedicated spaces for club meetings and group projects. This setup encourages teamwork and builds a stronger community.

The faculty’s excellence has earned recognition. Dr. Beck, Counselor Education Associate Professor, won the Highly Effective Faculty Award from WIU’s College of Education & Human Services. The award acknowledges creative teaching, understanding of diversity, student accessibility, and leadership. These qualities run deep throughout the social work faculty.

Chair Jeff Hancks leads the Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, and Social Work with expertise from both academic and administrative roles. The program continues to grow under his guidance. His global education background adds an international viewpoint to the program’s growth.

WIU’s social work graduates see real benefits. They earn a median salary of $39,641 yearly, higher than the national median of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree holders. These numbers show how well the program prepares students for their careers.

The program’s CARES philosophy shapes future social workers:

• Competent in generalist practice
• Advocates challenging injustice
• Responsible professionals acting with integrity
• Ethical practitioners conscious of their impact
• Service-oriented citizens engaged in communities

Students develop professional values through this framework, going beyond basic academic requirements.

The Council on Social Work Education has accredited WIU’s Social Work Program since 1996. The recent reaffirmation extends through 2032. This long-standing accreditation shows the curriculum meets professional standards.

The program’s size offers the best of both worlds – enough resources to be comprehensive, yet small enough for personal attention. “This is one of the unique factors that separates the Social Work Program at WIU from other social work programs at larger universities,” the program states. Students build meaningful relationships with faculty that help them succeed.

Students stay connected through various activities. They work with faculty in the Social Work Student Association, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Social Work Fall Fair, Social Work Career Panel, and community events. These activities help build professional networks and apply classroom learning to real situations.

If you want to become a social worker in Illinois, WIU offers an excellent path. You’ll find experienced faculty, personal attention, practical learning, and proven results – everything you need for your professional education.

Next steps

Want to start a journey to become a social worker at Western Illinois University? Your path from interest to enrollment has several significant steps that will set you up for success in this rewarding field.

WIU’s admission process is efficient and identifies qualified candidates while keeping things simple. You can submit your application through the university’s online portal. Freshman applicants can also use the Common App. Send your transcripts and test scores next. The admission decision usually arrives within two to three weeks. After acceptance, you can commit to Western at no cost to secure your spot in the incoming class.

WIU handles undergraduate admissions on a rolling basis. The university recommends applying by August 1 for fall semester enrollment. Spring semester applicants should submit by November 1. Transfer students need to apply by August 1 for fall and December 1 for spring semester.

International students have different deadlines – April 1 for fall and October 1 for spring semester. Western Illinois University is test-optional, which means undergraduate admissions don’t need ACT or SAT scores.

Transfer students who want to join the social work program must meet these requirements:

• Minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of SOCY 202 (Introduction to Social Work) with a grade of C or better
• Completion or current registration in PSYC 100, SOCY 100, POLI 150, and a philosophy elective

The Department of Social Work’s admission needs:

• Program application materials
• Personal interview with a faculty member
• Highly recommended volunteer service or work in human services settings

Students can access the Social Work Major application through a Western Online class page during the first four weeks of the semester.

Graduate study at WIU requires a 2.75 minimum GPA overall or 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work. The graduate application needs an online submission with a $30 fee, official transcripts, and required department documents. You’ll receive updates through email throughout the process.

Once accepted, you’ll move from prospect to student and plan your academic path. Every social work student must complete a 450-hour (15-week) practicum at a social service agency before graduation. This experience helps prepare you for your career.

The WIU Scholarship Office website lists opportunities to make your education more affordable. Social work students might qualify for special aid like the Nancy Coney Field Education Grant, which offers up to $100 for practicum expenses.

These steps will lead you to join a community of future social workers at WIU’s respected program, ready to make real changes in their communities.