Whether you want to work as a clinical social worker specializing in a particular mental health condition or a macro-level social worker focused on policy change, you will find plenty of opportunities in the state of Illinois. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in this field is steadily increasing. Child, family, and school social work jobs are expected to increase by 3.9 percent between 2022 and 2032. Healthcare social work positions are expected to grow by 4.6 percent, and mental health and substance abuse social work jobs are predicted to increase by 11.3 percent (1).
- Aurora University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides you with a foundation in generalist clinical social work practice and specialized study. Visit School's Website
- Arizona State University - Online offers the respected CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online. ASU Online knows today’s MSW students need remote learning options with no compromises. That’s why you’ll find the same professors, field work requirements, and internship placement assistance that ASU provides on campus. Visit School's Website
- Grand Canyon University offers Online Social Work Degrees. Choose between Bachelors of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing). Visit School's Website
Pay varies considerably depending on the area of social work in which you are engaged. Mental health and substance abuse social workers make the least, averaging a salary of $56,780 per year. In general, the highest-paid social workers work within the federal government with mean salaries around $94,000 (2).
Social work salaries in Illinois can also vary greatly depending on where in Illinois you live. In Peoria, for example, you can expect to make a mean salary of $52,270, compared to an average annual wage of $74,770 in Rockford, IL (3).
Issues Facing Social Workers in Illinois
Illinois contains the third largest city in the United States, Chicago, which is also one of the most racially segregated cities, largely due to a history of racist housing policies such as redlining. Segregation came hand in hand with the economic disinvestment in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, leading to issues of poverty, community violence, and unemployment. However, Chicago also has a rich history of fighting for greater equity within the city through community organizing. Some prominent Chicago activists, past and present, include Ida B. Wells, Jane Addams, Saul Alinsky, Fred Hampton, Alicia Garza, and Reverend Jesse Jackson. The organization, Chicago Freedom School, works to train youth activists to “catalyze youth-led social change” (4). If you are interested in addressing the root causes of urban issues from a social justice lens, you will be following in the footsteps of many well-known leaders by practicing social work in Chicago.
While many Illinois residents live in Chicago or other midsize cities, about 1.4 million people live in rural areas, mostly concentrated in the southern and western parts of the state (5). Meeting the mental health needs of rural residents, even before COVID, has been particularly difficult for Illinois social workers due to accessibility issues, mental health stigma, and a higher percentage of uninsured individuals (6). There is a significant need for social workers and other mental health professionals in Illinois’ rural communities.
Illinois Social Work Schools and Masters in Social Work (MSW) Programs
If you’re thinking about studying to get your MSW in Illinois, you are in luck! According to the 2024 US News & World Report school rankings, the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work is ranked third in the nation, and there are many other highly ranked MSW programs in the state. Especially noteworthy are the following schools: the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, ranked 24; the University of Illinois Chicago, ranked 28; and Loyola University, ranked 28 in the nation (7).
Pursuing a master’s degree can be expensive, but you might qualify for loan forgiveness after graduation. Be sure to look into the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC), which rewards social workers deciding to work in “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSAs). Illinois also offers a School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program, for which school and city government social workers are eligible to apply.
Illinois MSW Programs
CSWE-Accredited Programs in IL
All 17 MSW programs in Illinois are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation allows students to apply for licensure immediately after obtaining their MSW degree.
Advanced Standing Programs
If you already have your Bachelor of Social Work degree, you are eligible to apply for any of the MSW advanced standing programs in Illinois. All of Illinois’ MSW programs offer advanced standing programs, which are essentially fast tracks to your MSW degree, often allowing you to graduate after one year of full-time study.
Listed below are the 17 MSW programs in Illinois, seven of which are located within Chicago. “Traditional program” refers to the track designed for students without their BSW. The program length of time and tuition cost is based on full-time enrollment, so be sure to check the individual school’s website for part-time student information. Costs listed are also for domestic students.
Chicago State University
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Chicago
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 33
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $349/credit + fees (Residents), $675/credit + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
Chicago State University’s MSW program focuses on clinical practice, social policy, and managing human service programs. They additionally emphasize work with vulnerable and marginalized populations. There are both full-time and part-time options.
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Chicago
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 88
- Advanced Standing: 76
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $788/credit + fees
Program Overview:
There are two concentrations offered by DePaul University’s MSW program, Community Practice and Forensic Social Work. Students may enroll full-time or part-time. They also offer a dual degree program, combining your MSW degree with a Master of Arts degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Dominican University
- River Forest & Grayslake, IL
- 2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: River Forest & Grayslake, IL
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 30
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 9 months
Cost: $850/credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Dominican University provides a considerable amount of flexibility with on-campus or online modalities, full- or part-time enrollment options, and daytime, evening, or weekend class times. There are several tracks to choose from, including 1) Aging, Adulthood, and Gerontology, 2) Children, Youth, and Family, 3) Global Social Work Practice for Immigrants and Refugees, 4) Health and Well-being, 5) Military and 6) School Social Work. Dominican University also offers several dual degree programs in which you can obtain your MSW degree alongside your Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), or Master of Arts in Mediation and Conflict Resolution (MMCR).
Erikson Institute
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Hybrid
Location: Chicago
Modality: Hybrid, Online
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 52
- Advanced Standing: 31
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $1,135/credit + fees
Program Overview:
Erikson Institute’s MSW program focuses on clinical social work with two available clinical concentrations, Children, Adolescents, and Adults or Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. There is an online and hybrid track, though the online program is only available to part-time students.
Loyola University
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: Chicago
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 49
- Advanced Standing: 23
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $1,130/credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Loyola University contains specializations in Micro Practice or Leadership, Mezzo or Macro Practice (LMMP). Students can enroll full- or part-time. There are also dual degree programs in law, child and family law, divinity studies, social justice, women’s studies, and public health.
Northeastern Illinois University
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Chicago, IL
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 33
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $464/credit + fees (Residents), $927/credit + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
Northeastern Illinois University’s MSW program has a micro practice concentration, Practice with Vulnerable Populations, and a macro practice concentration, Leadership and Change. Each concentration has a specialization, with the former specializing in practice with children and families and the latter specializing in advocacy and change. There is an additional specialization in school social work available for students in either concentration. Most classes are in the late afternoon or evening, and full- or part-time enrollment is possible.
Aurora University
- Aurora, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 30
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $635/credit + fees
Program Overview:
Aurora’s MSW program provides a variety of different tracks, including Addictions, Child Welfare, School Social Work, Forensics, Generalist, Gerontology, Health Care, Leadership Administration, and Military and Veteran Social Work. Aurora offers a large amount of flexibility with start times in the fall, spring, or summer, and classes that are available in the daytime, evening, or online.
Chamberlain University
- Addison, IL
- 2-3 years
- Online
Location: Addison, IL
Modality: Online
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 36
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $696/credit + fees
Program Overview:
Chamberlain’s MSW program is fully online and offers four tracks: Medical Social Work, Crisis and Response Interventions, Trauma, and an option to design your own focus. There are tuition discounts available for military personnel and alumni.
Governors State University
- University Park, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: University Park, IL
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 32
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $383/credit + fees (Residents), $766/credit + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
Governors State University’s MSW program offers specializations in School Social Work and Children and Family Practice. Children and Family Practice offers the additional subspecialties of Child Welfare Practice and Mental Health. The program offers full- and part-time enrollment with classes mostly held in the afternoon and evening.
Illinois State University
- Normal, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Normal, IL
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 30
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $423/credit + fees (Residents), $878/credit + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
There are two tracks within Illinois State University’s MSW program, including Child and Family Practice and School Social Work. Through collaborations with other departments, social work students can also receive a certificate in the Social Aspects of Aging and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Lewis University
- Romeoville, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Romeoville, IL
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 30
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $670/credit + fees
Program Overview:
Lewis University’s MSW program focuses on preparing students for clinical social work. The first year is dedicated to generalist practice, and then students choose a specific population on which to focus their clinical learning during the second year.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Carbondale, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: Carbondale, IL
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 39
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $470/credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Southern Illinois University requires that students choose from two possible areas of emphasis: Health/Mental Health or Children, Youth, and Families. Students may also receive a certificate in gerontology or complete a concurrent degree in social work and law.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
- Edwardsville, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Hybrid
Location: Edwardsville, IL
Modality: Online, Hybrid
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 60
- Advanced Standing: 30
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $371/credit + fees
Program Overview:
MSW courses at SIU-Edwardsville are focused on advanced generalist practice and are conducted online or in a hybrid format. Most classes are held in the afternoon or evening.
The University of Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Chicago, IL
Modality: On-campus
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $51,723/year + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Chicago offers a Master of Arts program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration (SW), which is equivalent to the MSW. There are five pathways from which to choose: 1) Transforming Justice and Violence Prevention, 2) Integrating Health, Mental Health, and Social Care, 3) Disrupting Poverty, Economic Inequality, and Social Exclusion, 4) Children and Families in System Contexts, and 5) Global Health and Social Development. A dual degree program is also offered in which students can obtain their SW and Master in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management. The University of Chicago social work program is ranked third in the nation.
The University of Illinois-Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 1-2 years
- Campus
Location: Chicago, IL
Modality: On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 62
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $6,083/semester + fees (Residents), $12,678/semester + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
Specialization options for the University of Illinois-Chicago’s MSW program include Child and Family, Mental Health, Organization and Community Practice, School Social Work, and Social Work within the Justice System. Students may also choose to obtain their Master of Public Health degree alongside their degree in social work.
The University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: Champaign, IL
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 64-72
- Advanced Standing: 44-56
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $16,684/year + fees (Residents), $33,300/year + fees (Non-residents)
Program Overview:
There are two concentrations in UofI-Urbana Champaign’s MSW program, Leadership and Social Change and Advanced Clinical. Additional focus areas within Advanced Clinical include children and family services, health care, mental health, and schools.
The University of St. Francis
- Joliet, IL
- 1-2 years
- Online + Campus
Location: Joliet, Illinois
Modality: Online, On-campus
Credits required:
- Traditional Program: 62
- Advanced Standing: 32
Program Length:
- Traditional Program: 2 years
- Advanced Standing: 1 year
Cost: $599/credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of St. Francis’ MSW program offers two concentrations, Advanced Generalist and School Social Work. There are additional specialties within the Advanced Generalist track, including child welfare, criminal justice, domestic violence, and immigration.
FAQs for Aspiring Illinois Social Workers
1) What Can I Do With an MSW Degree in Illinois?
Life in the city of Chicago varies greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, and is drastically different from life on the vast farmlands of the rural parts of Illinois. Social workers in the state will find opportunities to serve in a wide variety of roles, ranging from urban poverty to working with underserved rural populations.
Furthermore, as is currently the case in many parts of the country, Illinois has been working on reforming its criminal justice system in light of known racial and economic disparities. The state recently came into the reform spotlight by becoming the first state to eliminate the use of cash bail (8). This accomplishment occurred through the work of many organizations across Illinois dedicated to justice reform. In addition, several Illinois counties hire social workers within their public defender’s offices, including Cook County, the largest county in the state. If you have an interest in forensic social work, whether that be direct service or policy change, consider working in Illinois.
2) Which Illinois School of Social Work has the best MSW program?
The University of Chicago’s program is ranked third in the nation, making it the best program in the state of Illinois. There are four other schools ranked in the top 100 best social work schools, according to the US News and World Report. These schools include the University of Illinois-Chicago (28), the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign (24), Loyola University (28), and DePaul University (95) (9). The University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign is the only one of those schools not located in Chicago.
3) How much does an MSW in Illinois cost?
The cost of an MSW degree for a traditional, full-time program in Illinois ranges from around $20,000 to $104,000. The range is so wide because the cost of the MSW program at the University of Chicago, $104,000, is considerably more expensive than the next costliest program at DePaul University, which is $69,000. Tuition fees decrease for all universities if you enroll in an advanced standing program. For some schools, tuition increases if you are not an Illinois resident.
4) How much does a social worker in Illinois make?
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a social worker in Illinois is $76,063, with a general range of $68,921-83,958 (10). As you might imagine, the variation is largely due to the area of social work in which you are engaged, with the highest-paid social workers operating within the federal government, office administrative positions, home health care services, and some schools. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in Illinois earn a mean annual wage of $63,590. The average salary for healthcare social workers is $63,790; for mental health and substance abuse social workers, it is $56,780; and for all other social workers, $67,390 (11).
5) What is the ROI of getting an MSW in Illinois?
While some of the MSW programs in Illinois, particularly within Chicago, are considerably expensive, several are also top-ranking programs, which has the possibility of impacting employment options post-graduation. Other important factors to consider when determining the ROI include the average social work salary in Illinois, $76,063, and the average cost of living is $58,333 (12). As salaries can vary depending on your area of social work and place of residence, it is best to consider these data points prior to choosing an MSW program in Illinois.
6) How long does it take to become a social worker in Illinois?
For full-time students in the traditional program, the MSW programs in Illinois usually take 2 years, and the advanced standing program requires 1 year to complete. Part-time students often need as much as four years for degree completion.
Licensure and Professional Development Resources
There are two types of social work licenses in Illinois: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). It has recently become much easier to become licensed in Illinois in the last few years. Due to a mental health professional shortage, Illinois passed a bill to eliminate the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam, often critiqued as biased, as a requirement for licensed non-independent social workers (LSW). This policy change drastically increased the number of social workers in Illinois and made it much easier for those with an MSW degree to obtain their license post-graduation (13).
- Illinois Social Work Licensure
- National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Illinois Association of School Social Workers
- Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
References
- https://ides.illinois.gov/resources/labor-market-information/employment-projections.html?utm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211029.htm
- https://www.socialworkerlicense.com/social-work-salary/illinois-social-worker-salary
- https://www.chicagofreedomschool.org/
- https://mchb.tvisdata.hrsa.gov/Narratives/Overview/1b06a190-8e35-4400-87bd-9c4b7a0dfd63?utm
- https://namiillinois.org/a-call-for-better-mental-health-care-in-rural-illinois/
- https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-ranking
- https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/cash-bail-changes-2023-safe-t-act
- https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-ranking
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/social-worker-msw-salary/il
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes_il.htm
- https://www.sofi.com/cost-of-living-in-illinois/
- https://www.naswil.org/post/illinois-breaks-barriers-in-mental-health-workforce-achieving-remarkable-growth-in-licensed-social
