7 Best Online Social Work Degrees in Illinois 2025

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for social workers is expected to grow by 7% over the next decade. To become a social worker, you typically need at least a bachelor's degree.

Those who can't make it to campus can look for accredited social work degrees online. And a social work degree doesn't have to put you into debt; there are several affordable online social work degrees.

Illinois has a few top online bachelor's in social work, as well as several excellent master's degrees. Keep reading to discover the best online social work degrees that you can enroll in as an Illinois resident.

Top Online Social Work Degree Programs in Illinois

Several colleges and universities in Illinois offer online social work degree programs. We've highlighted some of the best programs below.

1. Aurora University

Aurora University is a private institution in Aurora, IL. It offers both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) online.

The bachelor's degree offers two specializations: addictions and child welfare. An internship is required, but can be done at an approved site near you.

The master's degree offers the same specializations as the BSW, as well as specializations in:

• forensic social work
• gerontology
• healthcare
• leadership
• military and veteran social work
• school social work

2. Dominican University

At Dominican University, students can earn an online Master of Social Work degree. This program offers tracks in:

• aging, adulthood, and gerontology
• children, youth, and family
• global social work practice for immigrants and refugees
• health and well-being
• military
• school social work

Field placements are required, but can be completed at a site near you. This program is only available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

3. Erikson Institute

A Master of Social Work program is available online through the Erikson Institute. The graduate school is located in downtown Chicago and focuses on child development.

This online MSW program prepares students to become allies in social justice and antiracism. Students can choose from two concentrations: infant and early childhood mental health or children, adolescents, and adults.

The program typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, students with a BSW can take the advanced standing track, which reduces the program to one year.

4. Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago offers an online MSW degree. This program is one of the best online master's in social work, according to U.S. News and World Report, and includes social work courses on topics like social welfare policy, clinical assessment, lifespan development, and more.

Loyola, a private Catholic research university, is located in Chicago. Practicums are required for this online program but can be done at a location near the online student. This program takes two years of part-time study, but those with a BSW degree can take the one-year advanced standing program.

5. National Louis University

National Louis University is a private institution in Chicago. It offers an online Bachelor of Social Work degree that explores subjects like:

• human behavior
• research methods in social work
• social work policy
• social work practice

This BSW program includes 400 hours of field instruction and offers additional real-world experience through case studies.

6. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale can earn an online MSW. This program offers two concentrations: health and mental health or children, youth, and families.

This program also prepares students to earn a Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Social Work from the Illinois State Board of Education. MSW students are required to complete field instruction during both years of coursework.

7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Both a BSW and MSW are available online through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The public research institution is based in Champaign, IL.

The BSW program is a degree completion program. It covers a variety of topics in the field of social work, including social change, social services, generalist practice methods, and more.

In the graduate program, students can choose from the advanced clinical concentration or the leadership and social change concentration. An advanced standing track is available for those with a BSW.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the social work programs above, we focused on:

• Location: All social work schools listed are located in Illinois.
• Accreditation: Every college or university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and all programs are Council on Social Work Education (CSWE-accredited).
• Financial aid: All schools listed above are online schools that accept FAFSA.

Benefits of Online Programs in Social Work

Online social work programs prepare you to become a social work professional through coursework on social work policies and practices. In most cases, students will be prepared for social work licensure or to continue on to a graduate program.

Most online programs are taught through asynchronous courses, meaning that while you have set due dates, you can complete your coursework at any time before that. You do not have to log in at a specific time, which makes these programs much more flexible for working adults than on-campus programs are.

Admission Requirements for Online Social Work Degree Programs

There typically aren't many specific admissions requirements for bachelor's degrees in social work. Often, you'll simply need to be admitted to the university. Some programs may require you to complete your general education courses or any prerequisites before moving on to the courses in your social work major.

Master's degrees in social work require you to have a bachelor's degree. While a BSW isn't a requirement, it can allow you to complete your master's degree faster. You may also be required to have a minimum undergraduate GPA and human services experience, and you may also need to submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

FAQs About Online Social Work Degrees

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online social work degrees.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Social Worker in Illinois?

If you want to become a licensed social worker (LSW) in Illinois, it typically takes at least five years of full-time study. There are two paths you can take to become a social worker depending on your highest level of education.

You can become an LSW with a bachelor's degree so long as your BSW is from a CSWE-accredited program and you have three years of supervised professional experience. Since bachelor's degrees usually take four years, this pathway typically takes seven years. However, there are some schools that offer accelerated online social work degrees.

Otherwise, you can become an LSW with an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. If you have a BSW, you may be able to finish your MSW in as little as one year, for a total of five years altogether.

Can I Get My Social Work License in Illinois With an Online Degree?

Illinois does not require you to earn your social work degree on campus. As long as your degree comes from a CSWE-accredited program and you meet the other licensure requirements, you can get your social work license.

How Much Does an Online Social Work Program Cost?

Of the bachelor's degree programs listed above, the cost for a social work program before financial aid is applied ranges from $430 to $520 per credit hour. However, the total cost of your program depends on many factors, such as:

• whether you're earning a BSW or MSW
• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you study full-time or part-time
• how many credit hours you need
• what financial aid you qualify for

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines what federal and state aid you qualify for. It's also used for institutional financial aid, such as the Illinois Commitment, which offers free tuition to qualifying Illinois residents earning an undergraduate degree at UIUC.

Discover Online BSW and MSW Degrees Today

Start your career in advocacy and social services today by exploring the online social work degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn more about their social work programs.