Masters
Part-Time Only
Fall
Online
About the Online Bilingual MSW at Loyola
Latinxs, immigrants, and refugees in the U.S. can experience a wide range of mental health issues, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, accessing mental health services often proves difficult, if not impossible. From language barriers to a lack of insurance and from cultural mistrust to a fear of being deported, these individuals can face a broad range of challenges to getting the support they need.
Breaking down these barriers requires culturally competent clinical social workers who are specifically prepared to work with Latinx, immigrant, and refugee communities. You can become that social worker through Loyola University Chicago's Master of Social Work Online Bilingual, the first program of its kind in the inland United States.
Program Structure
Loyola's Master of Social Work Online Bilingual degree is offered on a part-time basis. Classes are fully online with weekly synchronous meetings. Offered in eight continuous semesters, the master of social work program typically takes 3 years to complete.
If you earned your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at an accredited institution within the past five years, you may qualify for Loyola's Advanced Standing MSW program, which can be completed in four continuous semesters. The Advanced Standing program only requires one internship.
The Micro Practice Specialization extends foundation knowledge of generalist practice and requires a critical understanding of diverse theories and their related evidence-informed practice models with a diverse population. Critical analysis is used to examine these models from an antiracist, strengths, and systemic perspective to plan for interventions that are most effective in situations of increased complexity within our global world. Critical thinking skills, reflexivity, and an appreciation and understanding of diverse political, economic, and social systems as they impact micro practice in diverse settings (e.g. schools, mental health clinics, health care facilities, and others), are utilized to assess and engage client systems in prioritizing and managing clinical problems, and treatment goals. Practice modalities from diverse cultural contexts are emphasized to deepen students’ understanding and ability to apply, modify, and develop practice models relevant to clients’ culture and experience of oppression in society.
Students in the Online Bilingual MSW program are in the Micro Practice Specialization with a track in Migration Studies.
Why Choose Loyola for the Online Bilingual Spanish/English Master of Social Work?
The nation's first program of its kind, Loyola's online bilingual (Spanish/English) MSW is aimed at preparing social workers who can help address the integrated mental health needs of the Latinx/e population, immigrants, and refugees in the U.S.
- Field-practiced, field-ready
- Committed to social justice
- Faculty with varied research interests
- History of excellence
- 100% online bilingual master's of social work
- Preparation for jobs in social work
Gain the experience to fill this critical need through a practical curriculum including 1,000 internship hours (or 600 internship hours for the Advanced Standing option).
Loyola University Chicago's Jesuit tradition, with a commitment to social justice, serves as the foundation of your master's of social work. Your Loyola MSW will prepare you to help underserved Spanish-speaking populations have greater access to integrated health care.
Learn from experienced faculty with a range of clinical and policy-based research interests, including Latino families and the impact of migration, social-emotional needs of immigrant and undocumented youth, community trauma and resilience, poverty and inequality, Latina women leadership, non-profits, program design management, child welfare, cross-cultural counseling issues, and family-centered services.
You will get the scholarship and direct practice skills you need to excel in jobs in social work through Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work, which has been preparing career-focused social workers since 1914.
Get the flexibility you need for jobs in social work serving the Latinx community and others through a social work master's program that is delivered 100% online in English and Spanish via a synchronous and asynchronous format.
By earning your Loyola MSW Online Bilingual, you will be ready to work in a range of settings, including in public and private mental health, philanthropic organizations, government entities, schools, and hospitals and other health care environments.
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.
Learn more about our full-time OBMSW faculty: Diana Franco, DSW, LCSW-R, Priscila R. Freire, PhD, Maribel Lopez, EdD, MSW, Francisco J. Lozornio, DSW, MSW, LCSW, and Ivan Medina, MSW.
Social Work: Career Connections
Prepare for rewarding jobs in social work in public and private mental health settings; philanthropic organizations; government entities; schools; organizations serving Latinx, immigrant, and refugee populations; and hospitals and other health care environments.
Specific job options include:
- Immigration social worker
- Spanish/English bilingual social worker
- Bilingual clinical social worker
- Case manager
- Policy maker
- Program director
- Faculty member
- Researcher
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.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual 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 Online Bilingual 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 CatalogOnline Bilingual MSW Results and Skills
The Loyola online bilingual MSW will empower you for jobs in social work by helping you develop specific skill sets in areas such as:
- Assessment
- Intervention
- Advocacy
- Research
- Ethics
- Policy analysis
- Cultural competence
- Leadership
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 Online Bilingual | 49 | $728.00 | $35672.00 |
| Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing | 23 | $728.00 | $16744.00 |
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.
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.
Attend an EventUpcoming Events
We are hosting a Virtual Information Session on October 4th to discuss...
Join us to learn more about our graduate programs in Social Work at Lo...
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.
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 Online Bilingual are listed below. We encourage you to apply early for priority review. Please note that decisions may take longer during busy periods.
Fall: July 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual include:
Transcripts
2 References
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
The personal statement component of your application to the MSW Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work will be used to assess your writing, critical thinking, and capacity for self-awareness in terms of readiness for graduate level work and supervised practice in the field.
Please submit (one) well-developed 1500 word, double spaced personal statement that shares your interest in the field of social work and motivation to pursue the MSW Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. Please note that your submission should be in Spanish.
The personal statement submitted must be a comprehensive essay that addresses all of the questions posed in the three topics below:
Topic 1: Describe your understanding of the social work profession. How have you incorporated the values of service and social justice (held by the profession) in your human service experiences and interactions with others?
Topic 2: Discuss your career interests and goals. In what population or area of social work practice are you interested? How will a Social Work education from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work prepare you for work in your area of interest? What do you hope to accomplish with an MSW?
Topic 3: Discuss your timing to pursue a graduate program now. What personal and/or professional factors have led you to want to pursue an MSW now? How do you intend to complete the program? How do you plan to balance the academic and field responsibilities of the program with outside responsibilities and obligations? How will you finance your studies?
If you are a transfer student currently or previously enrolled in a MSW program elsewhere, in addition to addressing the questions above in your personal statement, please address you interest in transferring to Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work from your current or past institution.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing are listed below. We encourage you to apply early for priority review. Please note that decisions may take longer during busy periods.
Spring: November 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing include:
Transcripts
2 References
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Prerequisite Standing Requirements
To qualify for the advanced level, the student must meet the following requirements:
Earned a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited US school of social work.
Received a bachelor's degree in social work in the last 5 years.
Statement of Purpose Details
The personal statement component of your application to the MSW Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work will be used to assess your writing, critical thinking, and capacity for self-awareness in terms of readiness for graduate level work and supervised practice in the field.
Please submit (one) well-developed 1500 word, double spaced personal statement that shares your interest in the field of social work and motivation to pursue the MSW Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. Please note that your submission should be in Spanish.
The personal statement submitted must be a comprehensive essay that addresses all of the questions posed in the three topics below:
Topic 1: Describe your understanding of the social work profession. How have you incorporated the values of service and social justice (held by the profession) in your human service experiences and interactions with others?
Topic 2: Discuss your career interests and goals. In what population or area of social work practice are you interested? How will a Social Work education from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work prepare you for work in your area of interest? What do you hope to accomplish with an MSW?
Topic 3: Discuss your timing to pursue a graduate program now. What personal and/or professional factors have led you to want to pursue an MSW now? How do you intend to complete the program? How do you plan to balance the academic and field responsibilities of the program with outside responsibilities and obligations? How will you finance your studies?
If you are a transfer student currently or previously enrolled in a MSW program elsewhere, in addition to addressing the questions above in your personal statement, please address you interest in transferring to Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work from your current or past institution.
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Language Proficiency
A certain level of command of English is essential. In all classes, including those taught in Spanish, there may be material in English, and official University communications are also in English. Likewise, the internship interview and the work with clients will likely need to use both English and Spanish. Additionally, job opportunities for social workers are enhanced if they are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Students who earned their bachelor's degree outside the US must take the Oxford exam after being admitted to the program. The Oxford exam is taken online, lasts approximately 45 minutes (must be taken without interruptions), and tests skills in using English in the United States. A level of B1 in the Oxford University exam is considered the appropriate level for bilingual program students. After admission, students will receive information on how to take this exam.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.
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