Certificate
Full-Time Only
Summer
On-Campus, Online
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
- Ideal for working professionals
- Integrated seminar and hands-on externship
- Engaging classes and career development
- Impressive career outcomes
- Guided by Jesuit values
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 StaffSocial Work: Career Connections
With the Post-MSW Professional Educator License: School Social Worker Endorsement, you will be prepared to practice school social work in Illinois to make a positive impact on students, families, and school staff. In addition to becoming a school social worker, you will be prepared for the following leadership roles in social work:
Specific job options include:
- Supervisor
- Coordinator
- Director
- Consultant
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
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.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogPEL with a School Social Work Endorsement Results and Skills
Through the endorsement program, you will acquire a variety of skills, such as how to:
- Conduct comprehensive and culturally responsive student assessments
- Provide direct and indirect services to students
- Demonstrate leadership and supervision skills in school settings
- Design, implement, and evaluate school social work programs and services
- Engage in community organizing and policy practice for social justice
- Integrate social work values and ethics in complex and challenging situations
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 AppointmentThe 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.
View all EventsVisit 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.
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
2 Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Applicants should write a brief statement addressing the following questions:
Why are you interested in obtaining the Post-MSW Professional Educator License with the School Social Worker Endorsement?
What are your plans for securing an externship for the academic year at an Illinois public school?
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.
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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