Individuals who successfully complete master’s in social work degree programs in Illinois could find themselves in high demand in the job market. In Illinois, a person who holds a master’s degree in social work can apply to take the licensed social worker examination immediately through the Association of Social Work Boards. However, a person who holds a bachelor’s degree must work in the field for three years before applying to take the examination. For those who wish to become licensed clinical social workers, a master’s degree is required to sit for the examination.
In 2016, there were over 12,000 child, family and school social workers in Illinois, earning an average salary of $58,790 per year while over 5,000 people were employed as healthcare social workers with an average salary of $55,070 per year. There were more than 3,300 mental health and substance abuse social workers working in Illinois in 2016, earning an average of $53,240. More than 5,200 people were employed in other types of social work, such as private organizations, earning $65,240 per year. These salaries are higher than the national average salary for a social worker which is $46,890 per year.
Positions in social work are expected to increase throughout the country by 12 percent over the next decade. It is expected that some of this growth will stem as government attempts to reduce incidences of child abuse, strengthen parenting skills and promote the retention of the family unit. Rising student enrollments will also increase the need for family-oriented social workers. Healthcare is another area where social work is expected to grow as the population ages and families adjust to new treatment protocols.
The biggest growth in social work will be in the area of mental health and substance abuse, which is expected to grow as much as 19 percent over the next ten years. As more people seek treatment for substance abuse and mental illness, the need for social workers will continue. In addition, more drug offenders are being sent to treatment facilities as opposed to incarceration, leading to additional positions in the social worker industry. To see more social work programs in Illinois, visit Master’s in Social Work Degree Programs in Illinois (N-Z).
Aurora University
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at Aurora University is a close-knit community of students and professionals who are dedicated to making the lives of others better. Faculty members not only teach but practice in the field as well. With small classes sizes and the excellent experience faculty members bring into the classroom, students are provided a hands-on approach to the field of social work. Programs are offered with student goals and lifestyles considered. Strong internship programs promote the hands-on approach to social work education.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work offered through the School of Social Work at Aurora University is available in a traditional setting on their Aurora and George Williams College campuses or online. The accredited social work degree programs in Illinois offered through the School of Social Work provides a strong base in general clinical social work practice. The campus programs are flexible, offering full- and part-time programs with classes held daytime, evening and weekends. Students benefit from professors who not only teach, but also practice. Students must complete 1,050 hours of field instruction, allowing them to put theories into practice. Students work with qualified preceptors as well. Students must complete 60 hours of instruction, which includes 30 semester hours of social work courses and 30 hours of clinical concentration courses. In 2014, Aurora University students had a pass rate of 85 percent on the Licensed Social Worker examination, compared to the national average of 82 percent.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Aurora University
347 South Gladstone Avenue
Aurora IL 60506-4892
Telephone: 630-844-5294
Email: auadmission@aurora.edu
Website: https://www.aurora.edu/academics/graduate/social-work/index.html#.WYtQ14jyvIU
Chicago State University
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences prepares students for competitive careers in humanities and performing arts as well as social science, behavioral science and STEM disciplines. Students are provided a broad understanding of what is necessary to succeed in their chosen field of student with a focus on the growing globalization of all industries today. The school is recognized for its depth of scholarship as well as its commitment to effectively teach students in order to prepare them for today’s workplace.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work offered through the College of Arts and Sciences at Chicago State University promotes a student-centered approach to learning. The program is offered in a flexible format with evening and weekend courses. Students find mentors among faculty as well as fellow students, some of which have decades of experience in the social work field. Students may specialize in the following areas:
- Direct Practice with Families
- Program Planning and Administration
- School Social Work
All accredited social work degree programs in Illinois offered at Chicago State University focus on a holistic approach to social work, research and policy. Students may choose from more than 100 options for field practicums that allow them to put their classroom learning into real-world usage.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Chicago State University
950 South King Drive
Williams Science Center
Room 116A
Chicago IL 60628
Telephone: 773-995-2207
Email: sseyfrie@csu.edu
Website: http://www.csu.edu/socialwork/index.htm
DePaul University
College of Liberal Arts Studies
The College of Liberal Arts Studies is the foundational college of DePaul University. The college is devoted to the education of students with afocus on the Vincentian missions of service to the community as well as a dedication to social justice. Teaching comes first at the college with courses taught by faculty members rather than graduate assistants. Faculty is experienced in the field they teach, bringing real-world experiences into the classroom. Students are provided instruction that is balanced, applying in-depth study to experiences that are the basic core of human knowledge.
Social Work (MSW)
The accredited social work degree program in Illinois offered through the College of Liberal Studies at DePaul University prepares students for advanced social work. The program emphasizes community practice and offers students a partnership with agencies as well as university representatives who have created a curriculum that prepares them for lifelong learning. The program prepares students for leadership roles in human service organizations. Students gain hands-on experience through internships and practicums that allow them to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world. Students are provided instruction in social work research, program evaluation, fund development, community practice and social welfare policy. The program requires 88 credit hours to complete which includes 24 hours of field education.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Graduate Office
Lincoln Park Campus
DePaul University
2352 North Clifton Avenue, Suite 130
Chicago IL 60614
Telephone: 773-325-4008
Email: lasgraduateoffice@depaul.edu
Website: https://las.depaul.edu/academics/social-work/graduate/social-work-msw/pages/default.aspx
Dominican University
Graduate School of Social Work
The Graduate School of Social Work at Dominican University prepares students to change the world through helping others. Students are taught by experienced faculty who have a history of advocating for human rights and social justice. The college is a global leader in social work and graduates have gone on to find leadership positions in their field of study.
Social Work
The accredited social work degree programs in Illinois offered through the Graduate School of Social Work at Dominican University provides students with the skills that will make a difference in the lives of others. Students are prepared for globally-focused careers with an emphasis on family. Students develop an understanding of the importance of human and community well-being. The program has set a standard for social work education in the Chicago area. Students may choose from two concentrations and three specializations. Dual programs are also available in partnership with the Brennan School of Business and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Dominican University
7900 West Division Street
River Forest IL 60305
Telephone: 708-714-9100
Email: msw@dom.edu
Website: http://socialwork.dom.edu
Erikson Institute
Graduate School
The Graduate School at Erikson Institute works to prepare the next generation of leaders in child development, social work and early childhood education. Students are provided a comprehensive education through interdisciplinary learning. Programs are available in traditional on-campus options or through Erikson’s online campus. The Graduate School promotes Ericson Intitute’s focus on ideals of social justice, fairness and inclusion.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work program offered through the Graduate School at Erikson Institute is unique, the only one of its kind offered in the United States. The accredited social work degree program in Illinois is intense and innovative, providing students with a deep understanding of how children develop with a family and a culture. The program is designed to create advocates with a desire to improve the lives of children and families. Students are well-prepared to accept leadership roles in organizations that handle child welfare, education as well as child and family mental health. Instruction includes information on the court system as it pertains to children and the need for early intervention when children face difficulty. The program infuses an interdisciplinary child perspective throughout the social work curriculum, building an essential foundation of understanding in how development occurs throughout life.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Erikson Institute
451 North LaSalle
Chicago IL 60654-4510
Telephone: 312-755-2250
Email: info@ericson.edu
Website: https://www.erikson.edu/graduate-school/programs/msw/
Governors State University
College of Health and Human Services Department of Social Work
The College of Health and Human Services at Governors State University Department of Social Work instills an empowering philosophy in students. The programs offered through the college are dedicated to social justice and human rights, with an understanding that the two go hand-in-hand. The curriculum focuses on communities and its citizens, especially those who are vulnerable, in order to create graduates who will provide them the recognition, care and dignity they deserve. The college works to fight dehumanizing effects of poverty and to eliminate oppression, instilling in their students a desire to fight for the rights of those who may have no voice.
Master of Social Work Program
The Master of Social Work program offered through the Department of Social Work at Governors State University provides outstanding social work education that creates advanced practitioners with a foundation in social justice ethics. The accredited social work degree program in Illinois provides students with the skills and knowledge to assist marginalized families in order to give them a sense of empowerment and enhance their lives. Students work collaboratively within the community to support the justice-focused curriculum and gain hands-on experience as a supplement to their classroom learning.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Governors State University
1 University Parkway
University Park IL 60484-0975
Telephone: 708-534-5000
Email: admission@govst.edu
Website: http://www.govst.edu/MSW/
Illinois State University
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at Illinois State University promotes social and economic justice, progressive social change and personal freedom. The school works to create leaders who will work within society to promote change and fight for human dignity. The school follows the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, providing high-quality educational experiences. Students are treated as colleagues and future professionals. Courses are taught by faculty who engage in scholarship activities and are actively involved in the social work industry.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work program offered through the School of Social Work at Illinois State University provides students with an education grounded in liberal arts with a focus on traditional values and theory in the current social work profession. Students are prepared for strength-based ethical practice in agencies where they will work with a diverse population. They gain an understanding of how poverty, mental illness, violence, substance abuse as well as physical and developmental challenges can have an impact on a person’s well-being. Students who complete the accredited social work degree program in Illinois are prepared to be advocates for social, economic and political change to advance human rights. Students in the accredited social work degree program in Illinois gain an understanding of critical thinking, theoretical and conceptual knowledge they can use in research designed to further the human rights of others.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
School of Social Work
Campus Box 4650
Illinois State University
Normal IL 61790-4650
Telephone: 309-438-3631
Email: socialwork@illinoisstate.edu
Website: https://socialwork.illioisstate.edu/academics/graduate/
Loyola University Chicago
School of Social Work
The Loyola School of Social Work was founded in 1914 and has been educating students to become leaders in the profession since that time. The school is dedicated to excellence in scholarship with a curriculum focused in clinical, organizational, community and social justice issues. The school is committed to recognizing and respecting different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Students and faculty share a desire for championing social and economic justice for all members of society.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The Master of Social Work program offered through the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago provides advanced training clinical, school and community social work professions. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in a wide variety of settings. Students are able to take either the clinical track, which focuses on health, children, families, school and mental health, or the leadership and development track. This track emphasizes administration, nonprofit management, grant-writing and program development. Upon completion, students are qualified to sit for the LSW and LCSW examinations. The accredited social work degree program in Illinois can be taken in an online or blended online format.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Loyola University
Maguire Hall, 5th Floor
820 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago IL 60611
Telephone: 312-915-7005
Email: tbutler5@luc.edu
Website: http://www.luc.edu/socialwork/graduate/msw/
Individuals who have successfully completed accredited social work degree program in Illinois may find themselves in higher demand in the industry as more companies seek candidates who have advanced knowledge of social work and an understanding of the ever-changing world of social services.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs
Follow
