Illinois Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs

ByJosh

Here, we will be looking at the top MSW programs in Illinois.

You may be interested that Illinois is one of the U.S. provinces with the highest number of MSW studies. There are fifty-five of them, and they are fully certified by CSWE.

MSW Illinois Programs

That is proof of their quality of education.

If you enter any academic establishments that offer MSW studies, you will gain skills, experience, and knowledge to practice advanced social work in the public and private sectors.

However, until you get a state license, you will not be allowed to work as a certified social worker in Illinois. You must have an MSW certificate from a government-certified institution to obtain such a permit.

Are you interested in MSW studies in Illinois? So continue to scroll through this page.

We will discuss MSW enrollment options, type of MSW degree, practical studies, entry requirements for fellows, graduate assistantships, licensure, and earnings of MSW graduates in Illinois.

Let’s get back to business so we don’t lose much time.

Enrollment format

There are about three types of enrollment formats for MSW researchers in Illinois. These include online, on-campus, and hybrid education.

Online programs seem to be Illinois’s most prevalent study format; virtually all the academic governing bodies in the province that offer MSW operate online.

The study format offers academics flexible, practical, and cost-effective studies.

Campus study involves taking lessons and other course activities near the school. It’s a bit costly because you’ll spend money on transportation, housing, and other living expenses on campus.

Many academic establishments offer on-campus education in Illinois.

Hybrid studies blend on-campus and online studies. In other words, you will attend one day of lectures on campus once a week and finish other class activities online.

This is to enable you to connect with your professors and colleagues physically. However, not many universities offer hybrid studies for MSW in Illinois.

Kind of MSW Studies in Illinois

Illinois universities that offer MSW studies provide researchers with two study options.

These are foundation studies for those without basic social work knowledge and advanced standing studies for researchers with BSW certification from the approved CSWE university.

The Foundation MSW syllabus in Illinois includes introductory and specialist courses.

The fundamental courses are taken in the first year of full-time study, including human behavior, social well-being, practical theory, and much more.

Then, specialized classes are taken in the second year, including health care, school social work, leadership administration, social work, forensics, etc.

Meanwhile, researchers under the core program get an average of 60 credit hours to finish their MSW studies.

The Advanced study is comprised solely of specialized disciplines, as outlined above. All essential topics are discarded to accelerate the studies.

Consequently, researchers have only an average of 30-35 credit courses to complete their MSW education. If you enroll for full-time studies, you can finish within a year.

But if it’s part-time, you can study for up to two years.

Practicum Studies

Researchers who opt for MSW’s traditional full-time continuing studies in Illinois will offer two practical studies total of 1200 hours of credit courses.

You will take an articling course comprising 480 credit hours in your first year. Then in your second year, you will take the second internship, which amounts to 720 hours of credit.

Meanwhile, don’t worry about where you can fulfill your internship requirements because the province is filled with organizations that will happily take you in.

Scholar’s Admission Standard

Before a researcher gets admission to study MSW at one of the educational institutions in Illinois, there are some entry requirements that you need to meet.

Among them, these conditions are:

  • Candidates who wish to enroll in MSW advanced standing studies must submit their BSW obtained from the institution approved by the CSWE. Then, those enrolling in the formal research will present their undergrad certificate obtained in areas of expertise.
  • Scholars must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify for MSW studies in any academic establishment in Illinois.
  • Applicants must also present their transcripts from previous institutions.
  • Candidates must also provide three letters of recommendation from a previous educational institution or employer.
  • Researchers will be asked to put together an expression of interest.

Tuition Cost

School fees for MSW studies in Illinois depend on your chosen institution.

Most private educational facilities in Illinois are more expensive than state ones. Secondly, researchers who are province residents pay less than those living outside of Illinois.

However, a typical tuition fee for Illinois residents is around $10,404 per semester. Then non-residents of the province are about $18,204 per term. There are educational institutions that charge above that.

Schools like the University of Chicago cost an estimated $50,000.

Grants, mortgages, and other financial support are available for MSW Fellows to help with their educational expenses. Therefore, you should visit your institution’s finance office for further details.

Top MSW Schools in Illinois

You can make the next move in advancing your social work profession in Illinois. The state has some outstanding institutions that believe in listening to the needs of students and the community.

Their MSW courses will train scholars to become competent social workers. Experts who can meet the needs of the vulnerable and take action to address systems of operation and harm in the populations.

Do you know where to earn a social work master’s degree in this state? Then keep reading this text. We’ll outline some institutions that offer such classes.

In addition to that, you’ll learn about their study format, syllabus, duration, and more. Without any delay, let’s begin discussing.

Institutions with the Best MSW Programs in Illinois

Fortunately, Illinois has 17 schools that offer MSW programs. Each institution is fully certified by CSWE, among other authorized agencies.

After leaving school, your certificate can fetch you a work permit in the state and nationwide without restriction. Let’s go check them out.

  • University of Illinois-Chicago

This institution has one of the top MSW studies in the nation. Register in their regular sessions if you need a social work background. The study syllabus features introductory courses and 1120 hours of field education.

You can finish within two or three years, based on your entry type.

Meanwhile, those with BSW can opt for accelerated classes. Such programs feature a few courses with some fieldwork. Students on this track typically graduate within 12 months or at least two years.

Coursework includes cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and psychodynamic approaches. Others are programs and policies, social intervention, research and evaluation, direct practice, and more.

  • Aurora University

This school also has a commendable MSW study.

Applicants can register for either two-year regular or one-year expedited studies. The standard classes are intended for candidates lacking a social work background.

Therefore, the study syllabus contains 60 credits and 1050 hours of fieldwork. The state is blessed with many agencies through which you can finish your field assignment.

However, those with basic social work knowledge can opt for expedited classes. The study syllabus features only 30 credit courses and 600 hours of fieldwork.

You can typically finish your master’s degree on this track within 12 months. But for those on part-time studies, it may take up to three years.

Some courses you may offer include social welfare policy and administration, etc. Focus areas are addictions, gerontology, child welfare, health care, leadership administration, forensics, school social work, etc.

  • Dominican University

This is a Catholic-based institution where you can earn your master’s in social work. They accept scholars from various religious backgrounds.

You can choose between their regular and advanced standing courses. Conventional studies are designed for scholars who require more basic social work knowledge.

For that, the curriculum is structured with 60 credits and 1080 hours of practicum. You can finish within two or three years, depending on your chosen study format.

You’ll find the accelerated studies appropriate for those with a BSW. The program syllabus entails fewer courses and 600 hours of fieldwork.

You can complete your studies within 12 months of full-time and two years of part-time learning. Concentration areas include aging, youth and family, health and well-being, children, gerontology, school social work, and more.

  • South Illinois University Carbondale

You’ll not regret earning your MSW at this institution.

They have programs suitable for candidates with or without a social work background. The regular two-year classes will be ideal for those lacking a social work background.

The syllabus carries 60 credit courses with 967 hours of fieldwork. You’ll cover 360 hours of practicum the first year and 607 hours the second academic year.

However, candidates with a background in social work can go for the one-year MSW program. The credit courses you’ll offer are just 30 with 607 hours of fieldwork.

Depending on your study format, you can finish your studies within one or two years. Meanwhile, coursework includes human conduct and the social environment, ethnic diversity in social work, and more.

  • Erickson Institute

Students aspiring to work with children and adolescents will find this school an excellent option.

Their MSW programs feature concentrations in children, adolescents, adults, and infants & Early Childhood Mental Health. You can choose to study through their regular two-year MSW studies.

Such programs are intended for scholars lacking a social work background. Therefore, the syllabus features 60 credits and 900 hours of practicum.

Learners in this study can finish within two or three years, depending on their study format.

Coursework includes social and emotional development and clinical practice with individuals, groups, and families. However, for those with a social work background, the one-year classes will fit you.

The study syllabus only features 25 credits and a few hours of fieldwork. You can finish your field assignments at more significant Chicago Metropolitan Area agencies.

  • Governors State University

Masters of Social Work studies at this institution are unique, like others in the state.

You can register for the two-year regular studies with 60 credit courses and 1020 practicum hours. Students in this study typically finish within two or three years, depending on their study commitment.

However, they have one-year MSW studies for candidates with social work backgrounds. The study syllabus features only 32 credit courses with 600 hours of fieldwork.

Some classes you may take include human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policies, provisions, etc. Areas to focus on are school social work and social work practice with children, adolescents, & families. Furthermore, you must finish field instruction in agencies relevant to your specialization.

  • University of St. Francis-Joliet

This is another Catholic-based institution in Illinois that offers outstanding MSW programs.

They welcome candidates from all religious backgrounds and don’t influence the university with Catholic teachings. Register for their regular two-year classes if you need a social work background.

Such programs entail 62 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork.

But for those with a BSW, the one-year classes will best fit you.

Such studies entail 32 credits and 600 hours of fieldwork. Coursework includes Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Policy, Women’s Policy, Feminist Issues, and more.

As highlighted above, many institutions in Illinois offer social work master’s degrees. The ones listed above are just a handful. If time had been on our side, we would have discussed the rest of the schools.

However, you’ve found this write-up a helpful resource. Before applying to any of the schools above, research their entry conditions, tuition, and more.

How Much Can I Earn as an MSW Expert in Illinois?

The payment structure for MSW graduates in Illinois varies depending on your specialization.

Mental health and addiction graduates earn about $54,900 annually, while health social workers earn an average of $55,250 annually.

Hospice and court social workers earn approximately $65,830 per year.

However, certain parts of Illinois are gaining below the threshold mentioned above. Social workers in places such as Rock Island earn an average of $46,660, and those in Bloomington earn about $36,840.

Finally, from our discussion all the way through, you can see that Illinois has one of the best MSW studies in the United States. Their learning options are designed to be suitable for all classes of scholars.

All applicants must select an educational institution in the state that offers MSW studies and submit their applications.

If you possess all the credentials, you can get admitted.

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