With a blend of large cities like Chicago, upscale suburban areas, and inner city communities, Illinois has myriad educational opportunities for you as a social work student. There are over 12.8 million people living in Illinois, giving you a huge base of potential clients. Many of the people in Illinois live in its largest cities, including Chicago, Aurora, and Rockford. City living poses its own stresses and problems, so the need for mental health services is great.
The cost of living in Illinois is barely above the national average, according to Sperling’s Best Places. Combine this with a household income that is higher than the national average, and you can enjoy a great quality of life in Illinois.
Tuition and Curriculum Information for MSW Programs in Illinois
One of the benefits of living in a state with such a large population is the variety of educational options. There are 21 colleges and universities in Illinois that offer graduate degrees in social work. While many schools are located in or around Chicago, there are many schools elsewhere in the state. The average cost of tuition in Illinois is $19,479. As a graduate student, you may be able to secure a teaching or research assistantship to pay for your tuition.
MSW Curriculum
The curriculum for each MSW program is designed to build on what you already know about social work and issues, which is why most programs require you to have a Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a similar field.
In each semester, you learn practical, hands-on skills that can help you see and treat patients. You’ll also learn about the effects of different social issues on individuals, including racism, poverty, and family issues. When you combine these types of courses, you get a base of knowledge that thoroughly prepares you for field work.
Some schools give you the chance to concentrate in one field. Dominican University, for example, gives you the choice of focusing on gerontology, military social work, or school social work.
Field Work
You can expect to complete up to 1000 hours of field work throughout the duration of your social work program. As you learn more each semester, your field instructor will expect your knowledge to reflect in how you see and treat clients.
MSW Salary and Job Outlook in Illinois
Earning a Master’s degree in social work gives you the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most social workers work for the government, for healthcare organizations, and social assistance programs. Where you end up working depends on the concentration you select in school.
In Illinois, there are social work employers across the state that regularly hire new graduates. Some of the largest social work employers in Illinois include Helia Healthcare, Metropolitan Family Services, and the Pioneer Center for Human Services.
Social Worker Salary in Illinois
Salary ranges in Illinois depend on which type of social work you do. In general, O*Net lists family social workers as the highest paid in Illinois, with an average annual salary of $48,900 per year. Healthcare social workers earn, on average, $47,400 per year (O*Net, 2012). O*Net reports that mental health social workers earn an average salary of $35,100.
Social Worker Job Outlook in Illinois
Social workers in all fields are in growing demand across the country, a trend that carries through in Illinois. Healthcare social workers are in high demand in Illinois; O*Net predicts that job openings in this field will increase by 18% through 2020. In the field of mental health social work, job growth is expected to increase by 14% (O*Net, 2012). The demand for family social workers is predicted to grow by 8% between 2010 and 2020 (O*Net, 2012).
Social Work Licensure in Illinois
After earning Licensed Clinical Social Worker Status, you may be able to work independently in your own private practice. This employment opportunity allows you to live wherever you want in Illinois, hire staff, and set your own hours.
In order to work as a social worker in Illinois, you must get your license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. You can send your application and a $50 check to the Department to sign up for your exam. After passing your exam, you gain the title of Licensed Social Worker.
If you want to practice independently, you must seek the title of Licensed Clinical Social Worker. You must complete 3000 hours of supervised work experience at the rate of 15 to 40 hours per week. You can then apply for licensure through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Masters in Social Work Degree Programs in Illinois
(Aurora, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $19,900 Tuition Cost
- $9,363 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $6,144 Tuition Cost
- $9,629 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
(River Forest, IL)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $25,942 Tuition Cost
- $11,862 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $31,650 Tuition Cost
- $13,711 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
(River Forest, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $27,480 Tuition Cost
- $12,160 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Charleston, IL)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- $7,780 Tuition Cost
- $2,772 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Rural Campus Setting
(University Park, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $5,976 Tuition Cost
- Rural Campus Setting
(Normal, IL)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $9,286 Tuition Cost
- $3,937 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Psychology
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $33,450 Tuition Cost
- $15,112 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $18,855 Tuition Cost
- $9,581 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Northeastern Illinois University
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $6,120 Tuition Cost
- $2,692 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
(Dekalb, IL)
- Masters in Human Development and Family Studies
- $8,149 Tuition Cost
- $5,310 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Evanston, IL)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $43,380 Tuition Cost
- $27,986 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
(Carbondale, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,635 Tuition Cost
- $4,995 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
(Edwardsville, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $6,256 Tuition Cost
- $2,859 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- Urban Campus Setting
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $43,581 Tuition Cost
- $26,732 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Illinois at Chicago
(Chicago, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $10,466 Tuition Cost
- $5,248 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Illinois at Springfield
(Springfield, IL)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $6,840 Tuition Cost
- $4,522 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(Champaign, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $12,603 Tuition Cost
- $6,527 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
(Joliet, IL)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $26,374 Tuition Cost
- $14,633 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting