Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus
About the Master of Social Work (MSW) at Loyola
Lead. Serve. Make a difference.
Social work is a career and a calling. Working with the most vulnerable among us calls for compassion, cultural sensitivity, and a strong commitment to service. A career in social work requires a human-centered focus in working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and environmental systems — as well as leadership, organizational skills, and the knowledge and persistence to influence legislation and advocate for systemic change.
Loyola’s MSW degree is designed to develop professionals who have the confidence and skills to take on the challenge to improve individual and family welfare and empower people within our communities to promote social justice.
You will thrive in our program if you have a true passion for social justice issues and a determination to advocate and take action to help transform lives and communities. Success in the program will require emotional maturity and resiliency to manage complex issues and challenges, and excellent time management skills to balance coursework and practical internships.
Program Structure
Our MSW is a two-year program offering advanced practice training in clinical, school, and community settings. The MSW program’s revised credit hour requirements allow you to put your skills to work sooner. You can take two classes every semester and complete the degree in two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.
If you’ve received a BSW degree within the past five years, the MSW Advanced Standing Option can help you complete your master’s degree on a faster timeline.
Students in the Master's in Social Work program can select an area of specialization in Micro Practice or Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice (LMMP).
Students in the Micro Practice Specialization can choose a track from the following:
The Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice Specialization (LMMP) offers a track in Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP)
Courses meet all Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards and prepare you to sit for the LSW and LCSW examinations to work as a licensed social worker.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your MSW?
Choosing a quality degree program that will have a meaningful impact on your social work career is a primary consideration. Loyola is an accredited, nonprofit college with more than a century of academic excellence and a tradition of national recognition.
- Nationally ranked
- Enhanced learning innovations and internship opportunities
- A program built on a foundation of ethics and values
- Double your degree potential
- Flexible format gives you options
- Programa bilingüe
Earn your degree from an accredited, nonprofit college rated #28 in the nation for graduate social work by U.S. News & World Report.
The program curriculum incorporates the innovative use of simulation to support training both inside and outside of the classroom. You’ll benefit from our extensive community ties that provide real-world experience through over 1,000 agency/nonprofit partnerships for internship opportunities. In the Fall semester, new MSW students participate in our one-week Community Immersion Program (CIP) which allows students to participate directly with communities and learn about the social work profession.
Every facet of the MSW is grounded in the ethical and transformational values that are hallmarks of a Loyola education. All MSW program instructors are committed to building on these values and furthering the field with their research, teaching, and active participation in community involvement. All our students share these values and a commitment to a career helping people.
If further career specialization is your goal, Loyola’s School of Social Work offers dual degrees in partnership with other schools across the university. Take your career to the next level with dual degree options in law, child and family law, divinity studies, social justice, women’s studies, and public health.
The MSW is available both online and in person with daytime and evening classes, giving you maximum flexibility to combine your degree work with other personal and professional obligations.
Obtén más información sobre nuestro programa de Maestría Bilingüe de Trabajo Social. Todos los cursos se ofrecen en línea, con formatos sincronizados en tiempo real (clases con maestros; simulaciones) y no sincronizados (foros de discusión; estudio de casos, etc.). Parecido al programa tradicional, el Nivel Avanzado de la Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW) Bilingüe en Línea, se ofrece como un programa que comienza en el semestre de la primavera y se puede terminar en cuatro semestres consecutivos.
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 Social Work MSW program.
Faculty and StaffMSW: Career Connections
Our holistic curriculum ensures that when you graduate, you are well-positioned to serve a variety of client communities, advocate for their needs, and can assume leadership and management roles in clinical and human services organizations, as well as in community outreach and development settings.
There are many types of social workers and a broad number of social work career paths.. MSW graduates work in schools, government agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, outpatient services, higher education, and rehabilitation centers, to name just a few.
A social worker can function in a variety of roles depending on the setting. In addition to working directly with individuals and families, graduates with an MSW degree develop and manage programs, advocate for community and population needs, and provide data for policy advocacy, research, program evaluation, and organizational development.
Specific job options include:
- Case management
- School social workers
- Healthcare social workers
- Mental health counselors
- Child and family social worker
- Addiction counselor
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to explore the job outlook and pay potential for specific jobs that interest you.
The School of Social Work offers sponsoring events and programs to prepare you for the job search. Every year in the Spring, the School of Social Work offers a Networking and Career Fair where you can expand your networking skills and learn about opportunities in the field. Generally, 40–60 agencies and organizations attend each year.
We encourage you to visit the Career Development Center which maintains online job postings, provides information on job fairs, and assists with resume writing and interview skills.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Social Work MSW 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 Social Work MSW 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 CatalogMSW Program Results and Skills
The School of Social Work is a professional school where you learn about the practice of social work both in the classroom and in real-world settings. This allows you to integrate foundational knowledge with practical experience and the values of the profession. You will graduate ready to practice as an ethical, highly-skilled social work professional.
Among the skills emphasized are:
- Empathy
- Active and reflective listening
- Critical thinking
- Cultural responsiveness and humility
- Advocacy and organization
- Self-care
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
| Program | Credit Hours | Cost Per Credit Hour | Estimated Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work MSW | 49 | $1,045.00 | $51205.00 |
| Social Work MSW with Advanced Standing | 23 | $1,045.00 | $24035.00 |
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.
Visit and Connect With Us
Take advantage of a variety of different visit opportunities to find your place in our Loyola community. Loyola 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.
Schedule an Appointment
Early in your search?
Connect with an Enrollment Advisor to help find your fit.
Already submitted an application?
Connect with an admissions team member to help you through the process.
School of Social Work Events
Upcoming events are displayed below. View all scheduled events for the School of Social Work.
Join us to learn more about our Online MSW program. Faculty and staff ...
Application Process
This program has multiple versions you can apply to. Find specific information about the application process for each program below.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Social Work MSW are listed below. We encourage you to apply early as decisions may take longer during busy periods.
Summer/Fall
Priority: March 1
Final: May 1
Spring
Priority: October 1
Final: November 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW include:
- 2 References
- Personal Statement
- Resume/CV
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Social Work MSW with Advanced Standing are listed below. We encourage you to apply early as decisions may take longer during busy periods.
Fall
Priority: March 1
Final: May 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW with Advanced Standing include:
- 2 References
- 3.0 Minimum GPA
- Personal Statement
- Resume/CV
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page.
Apply NowRelated Programs
Certificate | Full-Time Only | Hybrid, Online | Fall
The Advanced School Mental Health Practice Certificate is a post-master's certificate program that equips you to better impact positive psychosocial development of your students and overall well-being of your school community. Through this certificate, you will gain advanced training in fostering collaboration between schools and families as well as learn to implement strength-based interventions in schools, advocate for whole-school interventions, and become a more data-driven and evidence-informed mental health professional.
Apply NowRequest InfoMasters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall, Spring
This degree program is ideal for counselors who value differences, equity, and social justice, and those who can help others thrive in the face of adversity and mental health challenges. Upon completion, you will be eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam in Illinois. You will also be eligible for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) after two years of post-degree supervised counseling experience and a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Apply NowRequest InfoMasters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall
Researchers are integral to understanding and addressing mental health, educational, and career disparities. In this program, you'll cultivate the skills and expertise to help communities facing these and other inequalities as you take the first step toward your doctoral degree in counseling or a related field.
Apply NowRequest InfoMasters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall
Research specialists explore the world of social psychology and apply their skills and knowledge to real-world problems. Through this program, you will develop social psychological expertise in a variety of research areas, including education, law, criminal justice, and health.
Apply NowRequest Info