Social Work Degrees at University of Illinois at Springfield
The University of Illinois at Springfield offers a nationally accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree that gets you ready for success in many human service settings. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recognizes this program, which gives you complete training to become a professional social worker who makes a real difference in communities.
Program Philosophy and Approach
The BSW program at UIS follows an empowerment model that promotes social justice and human rights for everyone. This philosophy shapes the curriculum and helps you build both technical skills and ethical foundations needed in social work practice.
The program uses a person-in-environment framework to teach social work knowledge, skills, values, and thinking processes. This comprehensive approach helps you understand how people interact with their surroundings and gives you the tools to promote social and economic justice in a variety of populations.
Benefits of CSWE Accreditation
The UIS Social Work Program’s CSWE accreditation brings several key advantages:
- Social service agencies nationwide recognize and trust the curricula and training
- You might qualify for Advanced Standing status when applying to Master of Social Work (MSW) programs
- Advanced Standing can reduce your coursework requirements for completing an MSW degree
This accreditation means you’ll receive education that meets national standards and prepares you for professional licensure requirements in different states.
Complete Professional Preparation
The BSW program focuses on generalist practice that includes all client groups and service levels—from individual work to international social policy influence. This broad foundation lets you adapt to different social work settings after graduation.
Professional preparation at UIS goes beyond coursework. You’ll examine your values, attitudes, knowledge, and skills deeply. This reflection helps you develop the self-awareness you need to become an effective social worker.
The program also features practical experience through fieldwork practicum opportunities. These placements give you unique and valuable experience working directly with people in community social service agencies under professional guidance. This hands-on work connects theory with practice and prepares you for real-life challenges.
Faculty Commitment and Department Culture
The Department of Counseling and Social Work (CSW) faculty build close relationships with students to promote their growth as helping professionals. This personal attention creates a supportive learning environment where you can excel academically and professionally.
Faculty members show steadfast dedication to student success and professional development. The department creates an inclusive environment that welcomes diversity and supports social change to address societal inequities. This dedication to inclusion matches core social work values and prepares you to work effectively with people from all backgrounds.
Program Outcomes and Success Rates
UIS’s approach shows clear results in program outcomes. BSW graduates find high rates of social work employment, which proves the program works well in preparing students for jobs. Alumni who continue their education give UIS high marks for their readiness for MSW programs.
These results show how well the program meets its mission to prepare capable graduates for professional practice while building a strong foundation for graduate education, lifelong learning, leadership, and public service.
Admission Requirements
The Bachelor of Social Work program follows the same admission standards as the general University of Illinois at Springfield, with no extra requirements for the program. This simple application process makes the program available to qualified students who want to pursue a social work career.
Where is University of Illinois at Springfield located
The University of Illinois Springfield campus sits on over 700 acres of prairie land in the southeast part of Springfield. Students pursuing various academic programs, including social work degrees, benefit from this spacious learning environment.
Campus Location and Setting
The campus covers 740 acres next to Lake Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. Students enjoy a peaceful setting about six miles southeast of downtown Springfield. This environment helps them focus on their studies and professional growth.
The university’s central Illinois location puts it 200 miles southwest of Chicago and 100 miles northeast of St. Louis. Students from Illinois and neighboring states find this location convenient, especially those studying social work in the state capital.
Historical Significance
The campus land has deep roots going back to 1841. Thomas Strawbridge Jr., a successful saddler and craftsman in Springfield, owned this property. His homestead, built around 1845, still stands at the south edge of campus. The 2012 restoration preserved this historical landmark, which adds a unique charm to the modern campus.
Campus Access
Interstate 55 provides easy access to the UIS campus. Visitors from the north should take exit 94 for Stevenson Drive. The campus entrance is a short drive away – turn right at the exit ramp, pass two traffic signals, and turn left at the third signal onto West Lake Shore Drive.
Southern travelers can use exit 90 for Toronto Road. The route takes you right at the exit ramp, through a business area, across railroad tracks, past a fire station, and around a curve by the Capital Area Career Center. Take a left onto the 11th Street extension road, where any of three right turns lead to campus.
The University of Illinois Springfield’s main address is:
One University Plaza Springfield, IL 62703
GPS users can find specific buildings using these addresses:
- Public Affairs Center (PAC): 2200 Ernest Hemingway Drive
- University Hall Building (UHB): 2180 Vachel Lindsay Drive
- Student Union: 2251 Richard Wright Drive
- The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC): 2171 University Drive
Social work students often visit these key locations:
- Brookens Library (BRK): One University Plaza – A hub for academic resources
- Health and Sciences Building (HSB): 2295 William Maxwell Lane – Modern classrooms and labs
- University Hall Building (UHB): 2180 Vachel Lindsay Drive – Home to academic departments
Residential Options
Students can choose from several on-campus living options:
- Founder’s Residence Hall (FRH): 4800 Eliza Farnham Drive
- Lincoln Residence Hall (LRH): 2160 Vachel Lindsay Drive
- Multiple courts including Clover Court, Foxglove Court, and Marigold Court
These housing options let social work students stay close to their classes and fully experience campus life.
Department Location
Social work program offices can be reached at:
University of Illinois Springfield One University Plaza, MS BRK 462 Springfield, IL 62703-5407
This central location makes it easy for students to connect with faculty, advisors, and support services.
Campus Environment
Since its founding in 1969, UIS has grown into a modern campus that blends historic charm with new facilities. The spacious grounds include academic buildings, research centers, student housing, and recreation areas.
Lake Springfield enhances the campus’s beauty and offers recreation opportunities. Social work students benefit from the nearby state capital, which provides internship opportunities and connections with government agencies and non-profit organizations.
The University of Illinois Springfield campus creates an ideal setting where social work students can develop their skills while enjoying a modern, well-equipped university environment close to the state capital.
The Department of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Springfield runs a nationally recognized Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program. Students learn essential skills to help clients in a variety of human service settings.
UIS designed the BSW program as a generalist degree that prepares students to work with all client groups – from individual counseling to international social policy development. Students develop professional knowledge and skills while they examine their personal values and attitudes, which helps them become effective social workers.
Program Structure and Curriculum
BSW students must complete 44 credit hours of core social work courses, with eight hours dedicated to field work. The curriculum builds knowledge and skills step by step through a well-laid-out sequence.
The core required courses for the BSW program include:
- SWK 322 Introduction to Social Work (3 credit hours)
- SWK 323 Intro to Social Work – Lab (1 credit hour)
- SWK 333 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (4 credit hours)
- SWK 344 Social Work Practice I (4 credit hours)
- SWK 355 Social Welfare Policies and Services (4 credit hours)
- SWK 366 ECCE: Beyond Bias: Racism, Sexism and Heterosexism (4 credit hours)
- SWK 377 Social Work Practice II (4 credit hours)
- SWK 430 Social Work Research Methods (4 credit hours)
- SWK 433 Social Work Practice III (4 credit hours)
- SWK 434 Senior Seminar (4 credit hours)
- SWK 450 ECCE: Field Work (4-8 credit hours)
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each Social Work core course. They can repeat a course once if they receive a lower grade (C- or lower). This requirement ensures graduates have the knowledge and skills needed for professional practice.
Program Accreditation and Benefits
The BSW program has earned national accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation matters for two main reasons:
Social service agencies nationwide trust and recognize CSWE-accredited programs. This recognition boosts your job prospects after graduation.
A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program like UIS qualifies you for Advanced Standing status in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. Advanced Standing reduces your MSW coursework, which saves time and money.
Field Education Component
Hands-on experience plays a vital role in your professional preparation at UIS. The field work course helps you put your knowledge into practice. Students complete 400 hours of supervised experience at a social service agency.
Field placements let you test and improve your social work skills in tangible situations. This practical experience bridges classroom learning and professional practice as you work with actual clients.
The fieldwork practicum gives you a chance to work alongside professional social workers in community agencies. Many students consider this experience the most valuable part of their education because it shows them what social work really involves.
Program Learning Outcomes
BSW graduates must show competence in nine key areas that match professional social work standards:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in policy practice
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
These outcomes show the program’s complete scope and its dedication to preparing well-rounded social workers who can serve diverse populations.
Program Availability and Options
The UIS social work bachelor’s degree program requires on-campus attendance. Students cannot complete coursework online. The program remains available to qualified students who meet UIS’s general admission criteria.
UIS awarded 18 bachelor’s degrees in social work during 2021-2022, down 10% from 20 degrees the previous year. BSW graduates continue to report high employment rates in social work positions.
Department Structure
The BSW program sits within UIS’s Department of Counseling and Social Work (CSW). The department offers programs that build clinical skills. Students can trust that all programs, including the BSW, meet full accreditation standards for certification or licensure.
Social Work faculty cooperate with Counseling programs to create opportunities for learning across disciplines. Students learn about related helping professions and develop an integrated understanding of human services.
The Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Counseling programs both require field experiences. This practical focus shows UIS’s commitment to graduating professionals who can serve their communities effectively.
Field education at UIS
Field education is the substance of professional social work training at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The BSW program’s field work connects theory with ground application and gives you the skills you need.
The field experience at UIS consists of a 400-hour placement in a social service agency. You’ll learn to assess and improve your professional abilities under qualified supervision. This hands-on training helps blend classroom knowledge with practical skills—a vital part of complete social work education.
Structure and Requirements
BSW students at UIS must complete 44 credit hours of core social work courses with eight hours focused on field work. Students earn these field work hours through the SWK 450 course (ECCE: Field Work) over two consecutive semesters. You’ll work directly in approved social service organizations while taking part in a field work seminar about social work methods and generalist practice.
This setup will give a steady focus on putting theory into practice. You must keep a journal of your experiences—note that hours without journal entries won’t count toward your field education requirements.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
You need to meet several requirements before starting your field placement:
- Complete core BSW courses including SWK 322, SWK 333, SWK 344, SWK 355, SWK 366, and SWK 377
- Enroll in or finish SWK 430, SWK 433, and SWK 434
- Get formal admission to the field experience
- Stay in good academic standing (students on academic probation can’t participate)
These requirements make sure you have the right theory background and professional readiness before working with clients and communities.
Supervision and Professional Development
Quality supervision is vital for professional development in UIS field education. Your field work supervisor must have a social work degree and get approval from the program’s field work director. This means you’ll learn from qualified professionals who understand social work practice deeply.
UIS uses a mentorship approach where you work closely with experienced social workers who give ongoing feedback. You can then use their constructive criticism to sharpen your professional skills.
Learning Outcomes and Benefits
The fieldwork practicum at UIS has many valuable benefits that boost your professional preparation:
- Direct experience with people in community social service agencies
- Professional mentorship from qualified social workers
- Chances to use theoretical concepts in real-life settings
- Growth in professional identity and self-awareness
- Better job prospects (BSW graduates from UIS report high rates of social work employment)
Field education helps you become competent in assessing situations, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes in organizations of all sizes—skills you need for effective social work practice.
Real-Life Experience
UIS field placements put you right in the middle of social work practice. To name just one example, see how a BSW student worked at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District as a Bridge Counseling Intern. They connected community members with insurance services. The student learned about Medicaid and payment options while promoting change in complex systems.
Students also work on community projects like the Adolescent Health Referral Guide that helps local organizations. These projects let you make real contributions while building professional skills.
Integration with Academic Learning
UIS combines classroom learning with field experience. Field seminars run alongside your placement, letting you reflect on experiences and link them to theoretical concepts.
This blend helps cement your understanding of key social work principles like human behavior in social settings, practice methods, policy effects, and research use. UIS alumni say this connection between theory and practice became one of their most valuable learning experiences.
Agency Partnerships
UIS partners with many social service agencies in the region to offer varied placement options. These partnerships work both ways—students get professional experience while agencies benefit from fresh perspectives.
The core team often stays connected with UIS after graduation. One supervisor shared, “Being able to remain connected has allowed me to feel a sense of belonging and kinship beyond graduation”. Many supervisors graduated from the UIS social work program, creating an ongoing cycle of professional growth and mentorship.
Career Preparation
Field education at UIS bridges the gap to professional employment. You’ll build professional networks, get references from practicing social workers, and create a portfolio of experiences that make your resume stand out.
Field education also helps you find your professional interests and strengths, shaping your career path after graduation. Some students find specialized interests during placement, while others confirm they want to work in settings of all types.
A field supervisor at CUPHD noted that internships provide “a great foundational knowledge for many local community resources” that students use throughout their careers.
UIS field education turns students into emerging professionals with practical skills, ethical awareness, and professional connections needed for successful social work careers.
What sets University of Illinois at Springfield apart?
The social work program at University of Illinois at Springfield has features that make it different from other regional programs. The program’s national accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) will give you major advantages during your educational trip.
CSWE accreditation benefits your future directly. A BSW from UIS might qualify you for Advanced Standing status in Master of Social Work programs. You can reduce your MSW coursework with this status and save time and money.
The program uses a person-in-environment framework to teach core social work knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes. This approach promotes social and economic justice, embraces diversity, and improves life quality for everyone across social systems. The program prepares you for more than just a job – it leads to a meaningful career in positive social change.
UIS builds its educational philosophy on an empowerment model with a steadfast dedication to social justice and human rights. This foundation shapes your entire learning experience from classroom discussions to field placements and instills values that guide your professional practice.
Faculty relationships make UIS’s social work program special. Professors build close connections with students to help them grow as helping professionals. Students receive personal guidance throughout their academic trip in this supportive learning environment.
The Department of Counseling and Social Work shows exceptional care for student success and professional development. Their official website states, “We care deeply about the wellbeing of our students and are committed to their growth and learning”. Students get the support they need to succeed both academically and professionally.
UIS creates an inclusive environment that welcomes diversity and encourages social change to address society’s inequities. This matches perfectly with social work’s core values and prepares you to work with diverse populations in various settings.
Program outcomes show UIS’s excellence in social work education:
- BSW graduates find social work jobs at high rates
- Alumni say UIS prepared them well for graduate school (MSW)
- Program graduates become helping professionals in their fields
UIS offers great value too. Students can earn a University of Illinois degree here at the lowest cost. UIS ranks in the Top 20 for lowest student debt in the Midwest Region and has been a Top 25 best value school for five straight years (2022-2026).
UIS graduates earn $31,700-$69,000 more each year compared to high school graduates working in Illinois. This income difference shows the economic value of a UIS BSW.
Academic standards remain high. Students need a grade of C or better in every Social Work core course to continue and graduate. This ensures graduates have the knowledge and skills for professional practice.
The BSW program creates competent professionals and builds a strong foundation for graduate education, lifelong learning, leadership, and public service. UIS combines academic excellence, personal attention, inclusivity, and affordable education to prepare you for a rewarding career helping others.
Next steps
Want to study social work at University of Illinois at Springfield? These steps will help you start your experience to become a professional social worker.
UIS’s social work program follows the general university admission procedures without extra program requirements. The program will assign you a faculty advisor from the Social Work Department to guide you through your academic experience. You can choose to change advisors later if you wish.
You should meet with your advisor before each semester’s registration and check the Social Work Advising web page. Your advisor will help you complete general education requirements and sequence your core courses properly.
The program requires you to take core courses in the right order after finishing prerequisites. You must earn a grade of C or better in every Social Work core course to stay in the program and graduate.
Meet with your advisor before your final semester to verify you’ve met UIS and department requirements. This step is vital to graduate on time.
BSW graduates can qualify for Advanced Standing status in MSW programs if their degree comes from a CSWE accredited program like UIS. Advanced Standing reduces the coursework needed to complete a master’s degree, which saves time and money.
University of Illinois at Springfield makes the admission process available and simple. This lets you focus on preparing for your rewarding career in social work instead of dealing with complex application procedures.