I am looking to start the MSW program in Fall. How soon can I apply and when is the deadline? 

Applications for the fall or summer academic year will be available late fall through early spring each year.

Can I apply for the spring semester?  

Not at this time. NEIU MSW students start as a cohort only in the fall or summer semester of each academic year.

Is a GRE or some type of entrance exam necessary for admittance into the MSW program?

No. MSW programs generally do not require students to take the GRE or any entrance exam.   

Do you accept transfer credits?

Students can apply for transfer credits only if they are transferring from or have taken classes in an accredited MSW Program. Any transfer credit approval is at the discretion of the NEIU Social Work Department administration and admissions team. Credits from other programs and for life experience will not be accepted. 

If I do not have a B.A. in social work or a background in the behavioral sciences am I eligible to apply? What are the program stipulations for future students who do not have a B.A. in social work?

Although it is encouraged to have some background in courses within the social sciences, many students with a well-rounded liberal arts experience do well in social work programs. Our foundation curriculum is designed for students who do not have a B.A. in social work. You must have a B.A. or the equivalent from an accredited college or university.      

Is the MSW program CSWE accredited?

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.

What type of certification does the program have? Will I be able to sit for the LSW exam post-graduation?

We do not offer any certifications. After the completion of the MSW program, students will receive their master's degree and will be eligible to take the LSW exam through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations, pending the MSW programs accreditation. After 3,000 hours of supervision post-graduation, students are eligible to take the LCSW exam.

ON what days of the week are classes offered? 

Current classes will be offered Monday-Thursday, however, some students may engage in field education on Fridays and Saturdays.  

Are there any online classes/options available for the MSW program? 

We do not offer any online classes at this time.

I want to attend school part-time/full-time. Is the MSW program geared towards full-time working professionals?  

We offer two study plans: full-time and part-time. Full-time students are required to take five classes each semester and complete 1,080 hours of field work over a two-year period. Part-time students take two classes each semester the first year (most often those classes start at 7 p.m. It takes four years to complete the MSW program part-time).

How will I complete the practicum/internships? 

The internship: 

  •     Foundation: 240 hours per semester (about 15 hours per week for 16 weeks)
  •     Advanced: 300 hours per semester (19 hours per week for 16 weeks)

Students are required to complete two different internships during the program: 

  •     Foundation Field Practicum I (fall semester)
  •     Foundation Field Practicum II (spring semester)
  •     Advanced Field Practicum I (fall semester)
  •     Advanced Field Practicum II (spring semester)

How much does it cost to pursue a MSW at Northeastern Illinois University? 

As a state school, we are an affordable option for many prospective graduate students. See tuition rates for graduate students at NEIU.