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Social Action, Responsive Engagement, Advocacy

Northeastern Illinois University and the Department of Social Work believe in listening to their students, the community and their needs. With the great success of our Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, we have expanded the Department's focus and added the Master of Social Work (MSW).

MSW Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Northeastern Illinois University is to prepare a diverse community of competent social work professionals to meet the needs of the vulnerable and to take action to address the conditions that create and maintain systems of oppression and harm in our communities and across our world. Through an active learning environment that values scientific inquiry and diverse pedagogical approaches, the NEIU MSW program trains students to understand the contexts that fuel social injustice in order to promote healing and social change through work that recognizes the power of human relationships and honors the diverse identities and experiences of all those we serve. 

The goals of the MSW program are to:

  • Prepare competent, ethical social work professionals for direct practice with vulnerable individuals, families, and communities of diverse identities in order to meet basic human needs and support healing.
  • Prepare competent, ethical social work professionals to participate in, and lead, social and political action toward social change.
  • Provide a high-quality learning environment for a diverse community of students that is supportive, accessible and responsive to student needs.
  • Foster the application of critical thinking across the curriculum and nurture a commitment to reflexive practice and lifelong learning.

The MSW program began in Fall 2016. In February 2019, we received full accreditation from the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). If you are interested in applying for the Fall 2024 semester for the Full Program and for Summer 2024 for Advanced Standing, please review the program's application requirements below.

MSW Application Deadlines

The MSW program has the following application deadlines for 2025:

  • Advanced Standing: Jan. 15, 2025
  • Full Program: Jan. 15, 2025

Master of Social Work Program Overview

The Master of Social Work is designed to prepare advanced social work practitioners who can serve vulnerable populations and contribute to their functioning and well-being. The full program is 60 credit hours total and is equally split between two curricula:

The foundation - designed for those with a bachelor's degree but who do not hold the baccalaureate degree in social work completed within the last five years. The curriculum consists of 30 credit hours and prepares one for generalist practice with individuals, families, communities and organizations.

The advanced - built upon the foundation curriculum and prepares students for direct or indirect practice categorized concentrations. 

View the MSW Courses

Concentrations

Within each concentration are specializations; currently, there is one specialization for each concentration. As the MSW program grows, specializations will expand. 

Concentration/Specializations

  •  Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
  •  Leadership and Change

View MSW Program

Accreditation

Northeastern Illinois University's MSW program has achieved full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation for a new Master of Social Work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation means receiving initial four-year accreditation.

Students who entered the program and graduated prior to initial accreditation in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program. Students are eligible for social work licensure all 50 states.

Application Information

MSW APPLICATION DETAILS AND Requirements

Social Work, MSW
Full Program

Code (GW01) Admission: Fall only 

Full Program admission is for applicants that have a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than Social Work; have a bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from more than five (5) years ago; or have a BSW degree that is not from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Transfers from other accredited MSW program should consult the program for other start options.

Additional Requirements
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a post-graduate GPA of 3.0 in at least 6 credit hours
  • Three letters of recommendation (preference of at least one from previous professor)
  • Resume
  • Professional statement (1,000-1,500 words) that responds to the following:
    1. What are your reasons for seeking a graduate education in social work at this time? What academic, work, volunteer, or personal experiences have influenced your decision to apply?
    2. What do you hope to do with your MSW degree following graduation?
    3. What is a current example of a social or economic injustice that is of concern to you? Explain why you are concerned about it.
    4. If you feel comfortable, please let us know if you are a first-generation college graduate (your parents did not attend/graduate from college) and/or identify as being part of a historically minoritized community in the U.S. (e.g. in terms of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, citizenship status, religious affiliation, etc.).

Social Work, M.S.W.
(Advanced Standing)

Code (GW02) Admission: Summer only

Advanced Standing admission is for applicants that have a bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from five (5) years ago or less; and have a BSW degree that is from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.

Additional Requirements
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Three letters of recommendation. One of the letters of recommendation must be from the program director, field director, or faculty member of the BSW program.
  • Resume
  • Professional statement (2 pages) that responds to the following:
    1. What are your reasons for seeking a graduate education in social work at this time? What academic, work, volunteer, or personal experiences have influenced your decision to apply?
    2. What do you hope to do with your MSW degree following graduation?
    3. What is a current example of a social or economic injustice that is of concern to you? Explain why you are concerned about it.
    4. If you feel comfortable, please let us know if you are a first-generation college graduate (your parents did not attend/graduate from college) and/or identify as being part of a historically minoritized community in the U.S. (e.g. in terms of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, citizenship status, religious affiliation, etc.)

Northeastern and Program Benefits

  • Classes are offered during the late afternoon and evening hours to accommodate working professionals. 
  • The MSW program accepts students through a cohort each fall semester. The program may be completed in four part-time years or two full-time years.
  • Affordable tuition
  • Faculty work closely with students in small classroom settings to get personalized attention.

Contact Us

If you have further questions, contact the MSW department at mswprog@neiu.edu.