Social Work: Leadership & Social Change, MSW
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW program offers courses on campus and online.
The master's degree provides specialized study for advanced social work practice. Students take foundation and advanced courses in social work practice methods with individuals, families and organization, in policy and services, in research, and in human behavior and the social environment. Students are required to complete a one to two semester field placement/internship (minimum 900 hours) in an approved setting. A total of 44 -72 hours of graduate coursework is required for the M.S.W. degree. The determination of the number of hours needed within the range is determined on a case-by-case basis after considering each student’s prior education, coursework and experience. The curriculum may be completed in 16 to 18 months of full-time study.
MSW students choose from one of these two concentrations:
- In the Advanced Clinical Practice concentration, students prepare for clinical practice with individuals, families and groups, and in one of the focus areas. These students' Methods coursework has a clinical focus.
- Students in the Leadership & Social Change (LSC) concentration prepare for advanced macro practice which focuses on work with communities and organizations rather than work with individuals and families. In the LSC concentration students are prepared to work in either leadership/administration or advocacy/policy. Methods coursework for this concentration has a Macro focus.
Admission
MSW program applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad;
- a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) or greater for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work;
- 20 hours of completed coursework in a liberal arts core consisting of social and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and biological sciences
- evidence of personal attributes that are suitable for the profession of social work;
- a score of 103 or above on the TOEFL test;
- provision of a written supplementary statement.
Advanced Standing MSW applicants who meet all above requirements who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program in the past seven years are considered for admission into the Advanced Standing MSW program. This is a three semester/44 hour program that may be completed in 12 months by most students.
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
This program is available on campus or online
Requirements for the Master of Social Work with the Leadership and Social Change Concentration
Advanced Standing (Entering With a BSW)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Methods | 12 | |
| Social Welfare Planning | ||
| SW Practice with Communities | ||
| Managing Human Service Orgs | ||
| Policy | 4 | |
| Policy Practice and Advocacy | ||
| Research | 4 | |
| Program Evaluation | ||
| HBSE | 4 | |
| Theories of Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change | ||
| Electives | 8 | |
| Field Education | 12-24 | |
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar I | ||
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar II | ||
| Total Hours: | 44-56 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| A concentration is required. | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 36 |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Entering Without a BSW
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Methods | 16 | |
| Generalist SW Practice Methods | ||
| Social Welfare Planning | ||
| SW Practice with Communities | ||
| Managing Human Service Orgs | ||
| Policy | 4-8 | |
| Social Welfare Pol and Svcs | ||
| Policy Practice and Advocacy | ||
| Research | 4-8 | |
| Social Work Research Methods | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| HBSE | 4-8 | |
| HBSE I: Human Development | ||
| Theories of Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change | ||
| Electives | 8 | |
| Field Education | 24 | |
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar I | ||
| Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar II | ||
| Total Hours | 64-72 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| A concentration is required. | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 48 |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| A maximum of 8 hours of the Policy, Research or HBSE credit may be waived if taken as an undergraduate. |
Graduate Programs in Social Work
- Schools Specialization, CAS (online)
- Social Work, MSW (on campus and online)
- concentration required:
- Social Work, PhD
for the degree of Master of Social Work, Leadership & Social Change Concentration
School of Social Work
Director of Graduate Studies: Associate Dean Min Zahn
School of Social Work website
1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-5246
undergradsocialwork@illinois.edu
Advising
Admissions
Overview of Grad College Admissions & Requirements