Those in the social work field work with those struggling with medical conditions as well problems at home, and those working in this field graduated from accredited social work degree programs in Illinois and other states. Going to college in Illinois is a great option for those who live in the Midwest because the state is home to so many different cities and towns. You can live in a bigger city like Chicago or Urbana or work in one of the more rural towns. With your social work degree, you can work in hospitals, for government agencies and in other positions. To see more social work programs in Illinois, visit Master’s in Social Work Degree Programs in Illinois (A-M).
Northeastern Illinois University
College of Arts and Sciences
Northeastern Illinois University is one of the only Hispanic Serving Institutions in the Midwest, which is a college of higher education that offers opportunities for Hispanic students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college. Founded in 1949 as a branch of a teaching college based out of Chicago, NIU became a state college less than two decades later as its curriculum expanded beyond those programs. The university accepts both new students and transfer students from other campuses and has an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students. That includes more than 1,800 postgraduate students.
Social Work, M.S.W.
The Master of Social Work program that NIU offers is one of the top accredited social work degree programs in Illinois. Incoming students will need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in college or the most recent six credit hours of graduate classes taken. NIU hosts several special events each year that allow students to learn more about the program before they enroll. In addition to taking classes, NIU requires that students do some fieldwork. You’ll work with the internship coordinator to find an internship that interests you. Students spend two to three days in their placements and do more than 400 hours in their first year. During your second year in the program, the university expects you to complete more than 700 hours of clinical fieldwork.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625-4699
(773) 583-4050
https://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/social-work
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
School of Social Work
Southern Illinois Carbondale is the flagship camppus in the SIU school system, which is why many refer to its as SIU or SIU Carbondale instead of using its full name. The university also goes by the name of Southern. Established in 1869, it is now regarded as a research institute and ranks as one of the nation’s top colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report. SIU accepts students from each state in the country and enrolls students from more than 100 countries every year. Its enrollment of nearly 16,000 students includes more than 3,000 graduate students.
Master of Social Work
The SIU School of Social Work offers an undergrad program that helps students learn the skills needed for graduate school, but it also offers one of the top accredited social work degree programs in Illinois too. This MSW program allows students to pick a concentration in health and mental health social work or working with children, youth and families. The health and mental health concentration is best for those who want to work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals and other medical facilities. Those who want to work for government agencies and other settings will want to pick a concentration in children, youth and families. Classes in the MSW program include human behavior and the social environment, ethnic diversity in social work, social work public policy and advanced social work methods. You’ll take classes in your concentration and do fieldwork in your second year.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
250 Pulliam, Mail Code 4329
457 Clocktower Bldg.
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453-2243
http://ehs.siu.edu/socialwork/
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Social Work
A lack of opportunities for students in the eastern region of Illinois led to the founding of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. As a branch of SIU, it usually goes by the name of SIU Edwardsville or SIUE. This is a smaller university that still caters to students in the region. Nearly 90% of those attending this university come from somewhere in the state, but more than 10% of its students include those from other countries and states. SIUE works with some other regional campuses and operates satellite campuses of its own, which helped enrollment grow to more than 14,000.
MSW
This MSW is one of the more unique accredited social work degree programs in Illinois because it gives students the option of starting classes in the summer instead of the fall. Students can attend two five-week sessions in the summer to get a head start on their studies. The program includes classes on social work policy, generalist practice with groups, advanced practice with individuals and mental health services. There are several fieldwork components that students must complete as well. The university will help you select the best places to work and do your fieldwork based on any specific career goals you have or whether you want to work in the nonprofit sector. SIUE offers one of the few social work programs available on a part-time basis for students who have less time available.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
Box 1450
Peck Hall Room 1306
Edwardsville, IL 62026
(618) 650-5758
klasite@siue.edu
https://www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/socialwork/
University of Chicago
School Social Work
The University of Chicago is one of the highest ranked private colleges in the state and in the country. Founded in 1890, it grew so rapidly over its early years that it quickly established itself as one of the primary education options for students in Chicago. Both U.S. News & World Report and ARWU ranked the University of Chicago as one of the top 10 colleges in the United States. It ranks as one of the world’s top 10 colleges on the lists released by ARWU, QS, Times and U.S. News & World Report.
AM in Social Work
As you look at some of the accredited social work degree programs in Illinois, you may wonder why the AM degree that the University of Chicago offers compares to an MSW. This AM degree looks more at policies and theories in social work and focuses more on the things that happen behind the scenes, but it is equivalent to an MSW degree. While the program does deal more with educational components of social work, it can still help you meet the requirements for becoming a licensed social worker. The clinical concentration looks at the practice of social work and prepares you for working with your own clients, while the social administration concentration deals more with how organizations and individuals deliver the services that clients need. This is one of the few programs with a study abroad option available.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
969 E. 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-1250
http://www.ssa.uchicago.edu/masters-program
University of Illinois at Chicago
Jane Addams College of Social Work
Students with an interest in social work often apply to the University of Illinois at Chicago because the campus is home to the Jane Addams College of Social Work. Jane Addams was one of the first women in the world who looked at the social problems that affected groups of people. She established shelters and homes in the city that provided safe places for the unemployed and homeless as well as domestic abuse victims and orphans. Hull House, which she ran for a number of years, is now open to the public as a museum.
MSW
UIC offers several accredited social work degree programs in Illinois, including an MSW program and a joint program that lets students earn a Master of Public Health and a Master of Social Work. This program is suitable for those who want to take on leadership roles and those who want to work in public health care facilities. Concentrations in the program include children and family, school social work, mental health and community health and urban development. Child and family students can enroll in a certificate program for working with children in mental health clinics. Students can transfer into this MSW program after earning credits at another campus. All other students can enroll in a traditional program, advanced standing program or an extended part-time program that features evening classes.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
1040 West Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607-7134
(312) 996-7096
jacswadm@uic.edu
University of Illinois
School of Social Work
The main campus that many people think of when thinking about Illinois is the University of Illinois. Its official name is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, but it also goes by the simpler name of U of I. It is a public research institution that dates back to the 1860s, which was when the state selected Urbana as the site of a new public college. With an enrollment of more than 44,000, which includes more than 11,000 postgraduates, U of I is one of the largest colleges in the state and one of the best colleges too.
Master of Social Work
U of I actually offers three different enrollment options for students starting its MSW program. You can enroll as a full-time or part-time students and take classes on its main campus, enroll in a hybrid program that includes online classes or sign up for a dual MSW and MBA program. The hybrid program is only open to advance standing students who have some social work experience. Students can pick a concentration in clinical work or leadership. As one of the top accredited social work degree programs in Illinois, the clinical option includes courses on mental health, health care, schools and children, youth and family services.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
1010 W. Nevada St.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2261
socialwork@illinois.edu
http://socialwork.illinois.edu/
University of St. Francis
College of Arts & Sciences
The University of St. Francis is the only private and religious institution that offers one of the accredited social work degree programs in Illinois. Founded in 1920 as a junior college, it later became a full college and then a university. It still has an affiliation with the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, which is a branch of the Roman Catholic Church. The University of St. Francis is also one of the smallest colleges in the state and has an enrollment of fewer than 3,500 students. Many of those students are Catholic, but the university admits students from other denominations.
Master of Social Work
Though the University of St. Francis is a private college, it offers financial aid packages designed to significantly bring down the cost of its MSW program for its students. As an MSW student, you can enroll in a separate certificate program that helps you gain experience working in school settings, which can help you find work as a school social worker later. Students can enroll in a combined BSW/MSW program, an advanced standing program or a more traditional program. The combined program allows students to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years. Available MSW classes include substance abuse and treatment, research methods and social work analysis and practice.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
500 Wilcox St.
Joliet, IL 60435
(800) 735-7500
https://www.stfrancis.edu/academics/social-work/
Getting a social work degree is mandatory for those who want to work as licensed social workers. Accredited social work degree programs in Illinois give you the opportunity to work for an agency or firm and work with clients to gain more experience before finishing your degree program.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs
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