Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement

About the Post-MSW PEL with School Social Worker Endorsement at Loyola

Earn the credential that will allow you to positively impact pre-K through 12th-grade students as a school social worker in Illinois with the Post-MSW Professional Educator License (PEL): School Social Worker Endorsement at Loyola University Chicago.

Loyola's post-MSW, 13-credit-hour program includes three required courses, one externship, and an integrated seminar. Through it, you will be prepared for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Content Area Test for school social work, which you must pass before completing the program.

To pursue the Post-MSW PEL: School Social Worker Endorsement, you must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a graduate school of social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Applications for the post-MSW PEL program are due April 1st for the Summer start.

Program Structure

The Post-MSW PEL: School Social Worker Endorsement can be pursued full time and classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. You can also pursue the endorsement 100% online.

Why Choose Loyola for Your PEL: School Social Worker Endorsement?

Led by renowned experts in the field

You will learn from a diverse and experienced faculty known and respected in the field. They are committed to excellence in scholarship and service and to your success as a future school social worker.

Our post-MSW PEL was designed for professionals juggling full-time work and other responsibilities. You can complete the endorsement program 100% online, on campus, or a mix of both. Choose the option that works best for you and your schedule.

You will prepare for your future as a school social worker through a (minimum) 600-hour externship in a traditional Illinois public school. Through a weekly seminar, you will learn to integrate classroom learning with practice skills in your externship.

Receive more individual attention from your professors and have more opportunities to interact with your peers through small class sizes designed for better engagement. You will also benefit from Loyola's focus on networking and career pathway development.

Your path to PEL endorsement goes through the Loyola School of Social Work, one of the nation's oldest schools of social work. The majority of students in our post-MSW PEL program have jobs offered or confirmed in the field by the time they finish.

You will earn your Post-MSW PEL: School Social Worker Endorsement through a program that is guided by the Jesuit values of social justice, care for the whole person, and faith that does justice.

Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Social Work faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement program.

Faculty and Staff

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Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2024-2025 Catalog
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Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement totals $9750.00, or 13 credit hours at a cost of $750.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

School of Social Work Scholarships

The School of Social Work offers several scholarship opportunities specifically for MSW students:

Performance-Based Scholarships Focused on Student Need

Incoming MSW students who demonstrate financial need, community engagement, a commitment to academic success, and promise in the social work profession are eligible to apply.

Most graduate programs across the nation only offer merit-based scholarships; we are one of few that offer an award based on student financial need — all students, including international, DACA, and undocumented students qualify for this scholarship application.

Lester Czernik Scholarship

The Lester Czernik Scholarship is awarded at the start of each academic year to one to two incoming MSW students who demonstrate financial need and promise in the social work profession.

View a complete list of School of Social Work scholarships, including external scholarship opportunities.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

Schedule an Appointment

The School of Social Work offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Summer: April 1

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement include:

  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

  • Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose Details

Applicants should write a brief statement addressing the following questions:

  1. Why are you interested in obtaining the Post-MSW Professional Educator License with the School Social Worker Endorsement?

  2. What are your plans for securing an externship for the academic year at an Illinois public school?

  3. How will you balance a 2 or 3 day a week externship with your other life commitments?

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.

International Applicant Requirements
Start Your Application

Applying online to the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.

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