Learn About Illinois Social Work Education Group

Social work education in Illinois requires understanding CSWE-accredited programs, state licensing requirements, and field placement expectations. Illinois Social Work Education Group clarifies these requirements so you can make informed decisions about your education and career path.

We explain Illinois’s licensing system – LSW, LCSW, and the steps between them. We compare BSW and MSW programs throughout the state, covering accreditation, program formats, specializations, and costs. We detail field education requirements, supervision guidelines for clinical licensure, and the examination process managed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Our guides address practical questions about advanced standing eligibility, online program options, how to document supervised hours, and continuing education requirements for license renewal. We help you understand which educational path matches your career goals, whether that’s clinical practice, school social work, or macro-level community work.

Rachel Thompson oversees content for Illinois Social Work Education Group. She worked as an enrollment advisor at multiple universities, guiding hundreds of students through the process of selecting and applying to social work programs. She recognized that prospective students were getting conflicting information about Illinois licensing requirements and program differences, so she created this resource to provide consistent, accurate guidance.

David Kim manages institutional partnerships across Illinois. His aunt was a hospital social worker in Chicago, and her dedication to patient advocacy inspired his commitment to social work education. David reviews programs for their accreditation standing, field placement networks, and graduate outcomes, connecting site visitors with programs that effectively prepare students for Illinois licensure and employment.