Illinois · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Illinois
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Illinois, and How Do You Get Licensed?
17 schools in Illinois offer 21 MSW programs we verified, including Aurora University, Chamberlain University and Chicago State University. 9 can be taken online and 20 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $23,040 to $72,864 before fees. After the MSW, Illinois's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the LSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursMSW applicants: 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after th…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Illinois
- 21
- schools
- 17
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 17
- offer advanced standing
- 20
- online programs
- 9
The Illinois Social Work License Path
Illinois Social Work Licenses
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional RegulationLicensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Either a Master of Social Work (no supervised experience required) or a Bachelor of Social Work with three years of supervised experience; degree programs must be CSWE-accredited
- Exam
- none
- Supervised experience
- BSW applicants only: three years of supervised professional experience after the BSW, supervised by an LSW, LCSW or other appropriate social work supervisor, averaging at least 4 hours of supervision per month. MSW applicants need no supervised experience.
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical, or the exam alternative (at least one ASWB Clinical attempt since January 1, 2019 plus 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience)
- Supervised experience
- MSW applicants: 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after the graduate degree (DSW applicants: 2,000 hours), supervised by an LCSW, averaging at least 4 hours of supervision per month. The exam alternative adds a separate 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, which from January 1, 2026 must be completed while licensed as an LSW or school social worker.
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Illinois Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola University ChicagoChicago · Private nonprofit | 3 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $40,180 |
| Aurora UniversityAurora · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,000 |
| University of IllinoisChampaign · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $27,412 |
| Chamberlain UniversityAddison · Private for-profit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $34,320 |
| Chicago State UniversityChicago · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $23,040 |
| DePaul UniversityChicago · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | $72,864 | |
| Dominican UniversityRiver Forest · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $51,000 |
| Erikson InstituteChicago · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $53,560 |
| Governors State UniversityUniversity Park · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $25,260 |
| Illinois State UniversityNormal · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Lewis UniversityRomeoville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $40,200 |
| Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $32,453 |
| Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $28,740 |
| Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleEdwardsville · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $23,058 |
| UICChicago · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of ChicagoChicago · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of St FrancisJoliet · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $40,300 |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Illinois
21 programs in Illinois
Master of Social Work (on Campus; Traditional or Advanced Standing) at Aurora University
Aurora University · AuroraFormatOn campus450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$39,000$650/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (MSW) and Online MSW - Advanced Standing at Aurora University
Aurora University · AuroraFormatOnline450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$39,000$650/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus1,000 field hoursCredits49Est. tuition$57,820$1,180/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline1,000 field hoursCredits49Est. tuition$57,820$1,180/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline1,000 field hoursCredits49Est. tuition$40,180$820/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at UIC
UIC · ChicagoFormatOn campus450 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$6,748per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits44Est. tuition$17,618per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits44Est. tuition$27,412$623/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Arts (AM) Program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration at University of Chicago
University of Chicago · ChicagoFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$54,873per yearAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Traditional and Advanced Standing) at Dominican University
Dominican University · River ForestFormatOn campus, Online1,080 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$51,000$850/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Northeastern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University · ChicagoFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$32,453$541/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Campus-Based or Online) at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · CarbondaleFormatOn campus, Online360 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$28,740$479/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits48Est. tuition$34,320$715/creditAccreditationCSWE
Social Work, M.S.W. (Full Program and Advanced Standing) at Governors State University
Governors State University · University ParkFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$25,260$421/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville · EdwardsvilleFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$23,058$384/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$40,200$670/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$7,986per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybrid, Online900 field hoursCredits52Est. tuition$53,560$1,030/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW), in Person or Online at University of St Francis
University of St Francis · JolietFormatOn campus, Online500 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$40,300$650/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits88quarter creditsEst. tuition$72,864$828/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus600 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$23,040$384/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Illinois
17 Illinois programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $23,040 at Chicago State University to $72,864 at DePaul University. The Illinois median is $39,000, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Illinois
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Aurora University has Illinois's largest program, followed by Loyola University Chicago and UIC. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Aurora University | 584 |
| Loyola University Chicago | 254 |
| UIC | 220 |
| University of Illinois | 197 |
| University of Chicago | 187 |
| Dominican University | 93 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | 71 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 50 |
Online MSW Options for Illinois Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Illinois: 252 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Illinois residents online and arrange your field placement in Illinois.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Illinois
| Occupation | Illinois median | U.S. median | Jobs in Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,220 | $59,550 | 19,860 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,270 | $67,880 | 4,910 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,960 | $60,280 | 3,460 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $64,030 | $71,900 | 1,910 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Illinois Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Illinois?
We verified 21 MSW programs at 17 schools in Illinois; 17 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Illinois Issue?
Illinois's board (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation) issues LSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after MSW applicants: 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after the graduate degree (DSW applicants: 2,000 hours), supervised by an LCSW, averaging at least 4 hours of supervision per month. The exam alternative adds a separate 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, which from January 1, 2026 must be completed while licensed as an LSW or school social worker.
Can Illinois Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Illinois's own programs, 252 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Illinois residents and place you in a field practicum in Illinois. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Illinois?
Estimated tuition for Illinois programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $23,040 to $72,864 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 17 Illinois schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025