This guide is all about social work programs in Illinois. There is a special emphasis on MSW programs as a majority of social work opportunities in Illinois require a master’s in social work. In addition to degree programs, we’ll also cover the licensure required to work in Illinois, as well as the employment outlook in the state.
CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE
- Social work in Illinois
- MSW programs
- Online MSW programs
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker salary
- Social work jobs
- Job outlook
- School listings
- Expert advice
Social work in Illinois
One of the great things about being a social worker in Illinois is that a job seeker can choose their future job environment. After New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is the third-largest employer of social workers in the United States.
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Featured Online MSW Programs
| School Name | Program | More Info |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California (USC) | Accredited Online MSW Program from USC | website |
| Aurora University | Online MSW With Seven Track Options | website |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Full or Part-Time Online MSW | website |
| University of Kentucky | CSWE Accredited Online MSW Program | website |
| Case Western Reserve University | Earn a CSWE-Accredited MSW Online | website |
| Syracuse University | Online MSW Program—CSWE Accredited | website |
In addition to Chicago, the state capital of Springfield also has an outsized demand for social workers. Springfield has an unusually high crime rate which presents an opportunity for those who would like to practice social work within the criminal justice system. A person with the right degree and certification will always be able to find work in one of Illinois’s large cities.
On the other hand, much of Illinois is rural and there are many opportunities to make a difference in a small community. For those interested in working with children, Illinois has the fourth-largest foster care system in America and new social workers are always being hired to help manage cases.
In terms of employment data, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there are currently 25,010 social workers employed in Illinois. Future projections for social worker employment are excellent, as the BLS states that nationally, “Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028.” That represents employment growth significantly higher than the national average for all jobs.
Finally, there are a number of professional resources for social workers in Illinois. Most notable is the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASWIL). Members can take training courses, attend lectures, and meet other social workers from around the state.
MSW programs in Illinois
While it’s possible to start a career as a social worker with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s of social work (MSW) will provide the graduate with many more employment opportunities. This is especially true for anyone who might want to open a private practice, as this requires an MSW.
An MSW will prepare candidates for hands-on social work, and also to excel as a leader within their organization. Students will learn valuable leadership skills, how to craft public policy, and effective methods for working with city leaders to find solutions for communities in need.
At first glance, the cost of an MSW from a top tier school in Illinois, like the University of Chicago, may seem daunting. Yearly tuition at the University of Chicago is estimated at $50,000 not including room and board. However, according to UC’s website, “Last year, 95 percent of master’s students received merit- and need-based tuition scholarship/gift aid.”
Also, although the education may be expensive, according to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Chicago has the third best social work program in the country. Other programs in Illinois also rank well. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has the 22nd highest-rated program in the US and the University of Illinois Chicago has the 25th best.
There are a wide variety of excellent educational opportunities for the candidate who would like to pursue an MSW in Illinois. Many MSW programs offer some form of financial assistance or can help prospective students to apply for scholarships. The Health Resources and Services Administration is also a good resource as they provide information on scholarly aid as well as student loan forgiveness.
Online MSW programs in Illinois
There are two different styles of online MSW programs available to students. One option is a fully online program, where all of the classes and learning is done over the internet. This is ideal for students who live far from the university. The second option is a hybrid style of online program, where some lectures are delivered online and others take place in the classroom.
For students who would like to take an online MSW degree in Illinois there are several good options, two of which we’ll discuss here. Both of these degrees are CSWE accredited which is important as many employers will only hire graduates of a CSWE accredited institution.
- The School of Social Work at Loyola University offers a bilingual MSW degree. Students will need to speak Spanish as the program is intended for those who plan to work in a Spanish speaking community after they graduate.
- The Illinois School of Social Work offers an “iMSW” degree which is 100 percent online-based. The program teaches the same skills as their campus-based degree and is designed for students who may find it difficult to attend class on campus, or who would like the flexibility that an online degree offers.
Whether a student is taking a campus based MSW or an online program, it is important that they have the support they need. A university should provide guidance through the length of the program, as well as support the student as they look for opportunities to gain real-world social work experience by volunteering or taking an internship.
How to become a social worker in Illinois
Becoming a social worker in Illinois isn’t as difficult as many people imagine it to be.
- The first step is to complete a bachelor’s degree. For the candidate studying social work it’s important to only take a degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited university. A candidate with a non-CSWE degree may find it difficult to gain admittance to a good MSW program.
- Once a candidate has their bachelor’s degree they’ll need to apply to an MSW program. Many MSW programs will accept candidates without a bachelor’s in social work. Other common undergraduate degrees for an MSW candidate are sociology, psychology, and other behavioral science-related degrees.
- Once a student has completed their MSW they can apply for their LSW certification (more on this in the following section)
- Once an applicant has obtained their LSW certification they can begin applying for social work jobs in Illinois.
For those interested in working at the highest levels in the social work field a PhD may be necessary. A PhD program places less focus on hands-on social work and more focus on research, statistical analysis, and the crafting of public policy and other management-related skills. A thorough overview of the process for earning a PhD in social work is available on our doctorate degree page. Included on the page is a list of PhD programs available in the United States.
Social work license requirements in Illinois
Detailed information about the licensure requirements for social workers in Illinois can be found on the state’s licensing board website. However, we can also provide an overview of the licensing requirements in this guide.
In Illinois, there are two types of certifications for social workers: the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). An LSW certified social worker can perform social group work, handle a caseload, or provide training to other social workers. However, if a social worker wishes to work in their own practice they must acquire an LCSW.
The following are the requirements to receive an LSW certification in Illinois.
- An MSW degree from an IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) approved institution, or, a bachelor’s degree in social work with three years of supervised experience
- The applicant must complete the master’s ASWB examination. The fee for the exam is $230
- The applicant must pay additional licensure fees including the $50 IDFPR application fee as well as a $60 renewal fee every two years
- The applicant must be of good moral character. More information on this requirement is available here
The following are the requirements to receive an LCSW certification in Illinois.
- An MSW degree from an IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) approved institution in addition to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Alternatively, a PhD in social work from an IDFPR approved institution in addition to 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
- Must complete the masters Clinical ASWB Examination. The fee for the exam is $260
- Must pay additional licensure fees including the $50 IDFPR application fee as well as a $60 renewal fee every two years
- The applicant must be of good moral character. More information on this requirement is available here
Coming from out of state?
If the applicant is already licensed in another state they won’t need to retake the ASWB when they move to Illinois. However, the social worker must apply for a state license from the IDFPR.
Not sure when to renew the license?
Both the LSW and LCSW must be renewed every two years. The applicant will also need to complete 30 hours of educational training every two years, before their license can be renewed.
More information on social work licensure in Illinois is available from the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter.
Social worker salary in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a social worker in Illinois is $55,931. There is a fairly large divergence in salaries, however, depending on which field of social work a person is employed in.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers accrue the smallest salary on average, at $54,900 per year. Social workers employed outside of traditional fields (hospice social workers, forensic social workers, etc.) earn the highest wage at $65,830 per year. Breaking down the data further we can find the average salary for several different types of social workers in Illinois.
- A child, family, and school social worker earns on average $55,390 per year
- A healthcare social worker earns on average $55,250 per year
- A mental health and substance abuse social worker earns $54,900 per year
- All other social workers earn on average $65,830 per year
Another way to look at the BLS data is to compare the median salary for social workers in different parts of Illinois.
- Chicago median salary: $63,360
- Rock Island: $46,660
- Bloomington: $36,840
Social work jobs in Illinois
Thanks to the Bureau of Labor Statistics we can discern how many people are employed as different types of social workers in Illinois.
- There are 14,720 child, family, and school social workers employed in Illinois. Clinical social workers are usually employed in hospitals and mental health clinics. They can conduct behavioral assessments as well as run therapy groups.
- There are 5,300 healthcare social workers employed in Illinois. Medical social workers coordinate patient care and they may work at a hospital or call on their clients at their homes.
- There are 3,550 mental health and substance abuse social workers employed in Illinois. Substance abuse social workers help clients to overcome drug and alcohol addictions. They may work one on one with a client or in a group setting.
- There are 1,540 various other types of social workers employed in Illinois. These positions may include forensic social workers, hospice social workers, etc.
Job outlook
As mentioned in the introduction the job outlook for social workers across the United States is excellent. The BLS predicts that “overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.”
These projections take into account all fields of social work including child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers.
When we look at data specific to Illinois we find that there are currently 86,380 community and social service workers employed in the state. Thus an 11 percent rate of growth would indicate that by 2028 there will be approximately 100,000 social workers employed in Illinois.
Social Work Programs in Illinois
In this Section:
BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs
Expert Advice
- What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Illinois?
- What does the future of social work look like in Illinois?
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Illinois?
Many of our social work students continue their studies after achieving their BSW at Bradley. We have an excellent track record in placing our students in MSW and other graduate programs throughout Illinois and outside the state. With advanced standing, students are able to complete their MSW degree in an accelerated time frame. Many successfully earn a license degree such as a LSW or LCSW following their graduate degree.
What does the future of social work look like in Illinois?
The future of social work looks very positive as there are increased job opportunities and shortages in the number of social workers to fill these positions. There has been increased recognition of the need for social workers in our schools, hospitals, and communities. Social workers are an instrumental part of the mental health workforce. Increasingly, social workers are moving into non-traditional work spaces too.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Illinois?
There are several important factors to consider when deciding on an MSW program in Illinois. Students should ask themselves what type of learning environment works best for them, as Illinois is home to a number of accredited MSW programs, which vary greatly in terms of class size and student-to-faculty ratios. Additionally, some Illinois MSW programs have areas of specialized practice to choose from (for example, clinical, school social work, forensic, etc.), while others may have only one concentration. Ultimately, students who graduate with an MSW in Illinois can work in a variety of social work organizations. However, it’s important to be aware of Illinois’ special requirements for social workers in public K – 12 schools. If that’s your area of interest, make sure to select an MSW program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). There are also a number of programs that offer post-MSW school social work certificate programs.
What does the future of social work look like in Illinois?
Employment within the field of social work is expected to grow faster than average within the State of Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (2020), social work jobs in Illinois are projected to grow at nearly double the rate of the job market statewide between 2018 and 2028.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Illinois?
MSW graduates are seen in an array of different positions within Illinois, including working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. MSW graduates can be found working within hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers, child welfare, the criminal justice system, schools, as well as non-traditional social work settings across Illinois.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Illinois?
On August 6th, 2021, Illinois’ governor signed a bill known as SB1632 that amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. This law removes the requirement for taking the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensure exam to become a licensed social worker (LSW) in Illinois. MSW graduates seeking an LSW in Illinois will still need to complete the application process through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), but the ASWB exam will no longer be a required component as of January 2022.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Illinois?
There are so many choices for MSW programs in Illinois. Each program has some unique specializations and a unique culture. All schools will prepare students to work in a variety of settings as generalist practitioners and there are some specializations that are offered widely such as child welfare or school social work. However, there are some specializations that might only be offered and one or a few schools. For example, if a student is interested in international social work, Dominican University’s SSW has that specialization, whereas other schools may not. Also, students can consider the background and expertise of the lead faculty in different areas. My specialization is school social work, and I have years of practice experience, have published, and continue to be involved on a national level. So, I have a really good idea of what should be in the course content and the skills students need upon graduation. Students should attend the information sessions schools offer so that they are able to assess other factors such as the culture of the school, what resources are available to students, etc. Our program is very relationship centered, and students have easy access to faculty. Faculty are also advisors to students, which provides some one on one mentoring around future careers in social work as well as the decisions about courses. When I was in my master’s program, I did not have an advisor, faculty were not as accessible, and my classes were upwards of 40 students. But I was attracted to that school due to the curriculum, location, and access to other opportunities that I wanted given my future goals. It may also be helpful to think about the degree that students want in person versus virtual schooling. If interested in virtual options, what does that look like at a potential school? Students need to consider what is most important to them in considering their options: location, in person/virtual learning, specializations offered, the type of support students receive, access to faculty, the curriculum and what courses and elected are offered, etc. Being in Illinois, there are many options for very good social work programs with unique aspects that will be the right fit for you.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Illinois?
There was a recent workforce development report that described what employers are looking for in Illinois and areas of shortage. Child welfare and aging are two areas experiencing significant shortages, and areas of opportunity in the field. Furthermore, the promoting of the social work profession as an important part of the mental health workforce may provide some new opportunities, especially during and post the pandemic, as there may be greater needs in some communities. Another opportunity is that many social work programs offer evening and part time programs, which are well suited for people who want to work and study or have families. Social work is also a profession that provides so much flexibility and variety in terms of types of employment opportunities. Social workers are also trained to think systemically, and work in an interdisciplinary manner. These skills are essential to addressing complex psychosocial and community issues.
What does the future of social work look like in Illinois?
We are at the crossroads as a profession. The issues we have faced as a society in regards to racial inequities and the results of the pandemic means that social work leadership is needed more than ever. Social workers are called on to advocate for social justice, and we must lead our organizations in this work, and also extend our advocacy to the local, state, and national levels. If those in social work can leverage the strengths and the skills we have, we could really emerge as leaders in trauma informed care, equity, and a holistic approach to mental health and well-being.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Illinois?
In Illinois, graduates are employed in schools, not for profits, youth services, aging services, mental health settings, criminal justice, public policy, and administration/management. The largest percentage work in child welfare and community based agencies. I would say students should be open to working in a variety of settings. Maybe you have your heart set on a particular type of work, or even earned your certificate in that specialization, but perhaps an opportunity comes up in a different area of social work – you may find that you really enjoy this area. Alternatively, students can always go on the job market again after gaining some work experience at the post master’s level and earning their clinical license.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Illinois?
My advice would be to begin the supervision process immediately upon graduating and when in the first job. It is important to become licensed as soon as possible, and students need about two years of supervised post-Master’s experience. Students should pay for an LCSW to provide supervision if no one is available in their setting. If they do have to pay, there may be group supervision opportunities which will be less costly if that is a concern.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Illinois?
This really varies from student to student; some major determining factors are cost, distance, and focus. One thing I suggest to my students is to do an assessment as to their specific needs, and career desires. For some, financial needs may play a big role in this decision, to which I say, take a look at the schools financial aid availability, these include scholarships, fellowships, and grad assistance programs.
Perhaps, they can work with a professor doing research, and negotiate tuition waiver, for even a semester. Life will change, but that is good; Personally, I had a meeting with my family and friends before I started the masters program, missed many gatherings, but they were super supportive. Plan, get organized, focus, and most importantly, have fun! It is just temporary.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Illinois?
Specifically for Illinois, I say, you need to be more than culturally competent. In some areas in Illinois the population is diverse and has unique specific needs. Furthermore, I would say to be a social worker anywhere, you need to have the heart for people, the hope in change, and the vision to assist them in accomplishing the desired goals.
What does the future of social work look like in Illinois?
It’s growing. We need more social workers, and in the programs I currently work for, the number of students registered have grown.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Illinois?
Anything from, hospitals, public sectors, non-profit sectors, private practice, department of human services, with special schools certification, lots of needs for school social workers.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Illinois?
Study for the exam, there are programs who provide study time, seminars with experts in the field to prepare the students. Students should contact different masters programs and inquire. Get a study buddy, and test practice with each-other.