Masters
Part-Time Only
Spring
Online
About the Online Bilingual MSW with Advanced Standing at Loyola
Designed for Spanish-speaking individuals who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, our bilingual, Advanced Standing program offers an accelerated path to earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) online. Complete your master’s degree and begin working with Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee communities sooner while balancing your other obligations with this remote, part-time program.
As Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee communities continue to grow in the U.S., these populations are experiencing heightened rates of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, these populations face greater challenges to access support due to language and cultural differences, mistrust in social services, and other inequitable circumstances.
Loyola’s online, bilingual MSW program, the first of its kind in the inland U.S., seeks to dismantle these barriers by preparing the next generation of social workers to support and serve Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee communities through culturally responsive care tailored to their needs. Infusing over 100 years of experience and the Loyola’s Jesuit heritage with Spanish-English bilingual instruction, innovative remote teaching and learning opportunities, and a focus on social justice, this program is the first of its kind in the inland U.S.
Program Structure
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 program, which can be completed in four continuous semesters and requires one internship for a total of 600 hours. Please note the Online Bilingual MSW with Advanced Standing program is Spring start only.
Specialization
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?
Earn your in MSW with one of the top social work programs nationwide that empower you to deliver impactful care for our Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee communities. From innovative online teaching delivered in Spanish to outstanding faculty and an emphasis on social justice, Loyola’s online bilingual MSW balances remote flexibility with academic excellence.
- Accelerate your career in social work
- 100% remote, bilingual instruction
- Close-to-home internships
- Diverse faculty practice and research
- Historically excellent, nationally rated
Students who already have completed their BSW can enter the Online Bilingual MSW with Advanced Standing program. Requiring fewer credit and internship hours needed to graduate, the program allows you to complete your training faster and begin your social work career sooner.
Begin your journey toward supporting Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee communities through a flexible, part-time program delivered fully online via synchronous and asynchronous learning in both English and Spanish – from anywhere in the world.
Apply the concepts and skills you have learned in an internship in your local community. If you do not reside in Chicago, you can complete your internship requirement at an organization close to you and make a difference in communities close to home.
Learn from and work directly with leading practitioners whose research ranges across clinical and policy-based interests such as 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.
Ranked #28 in the nation for graduate social work by U.S. News and World Report (2024), earn your MSW from a respected institution with over 100 years of experience training and preparing social workers to excel in their service of others.
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
he online, bilingual MSW degree from Loyola will prepare you for a successful career in service of and advocacy for Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee client communities. With an MSW, you can pursue a career in a variety of settings in need of social workers, including healthcare organizations, behavioral and mental health agencies, and public environments such as school, government, and law enforcement.
Specific job options include:
- English/Spanish bilingual social worker
- Immigration social worker
- Case manager
- Research or policy analyst
- Community organizer
- Hospital social worker
- School social worker
- Program director
We encourage you to take advantage of Loyola’s Career Development Center. There, you can find online job postings, details on upcoming career fairs and networking opportunities, and support with resume writing and interview skills.
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 Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing 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 with Advanced Standing 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
A Master of Social Work will teach you the fundamental theory behind social work and provide opportunity to practice this knowledge through internship experiences. You will emerge with the practical, real-world training and applicable skills you need to begin providing culturally responsive, impactful care in both English and Spanish to your client communities, including Latinx/e, immigrant, and refugee populations.
- English/Spanish bilingual social work
- Cultural competence
- Clinical assessment and intervention
- Community engagement and advocacy
- Culturally responsive, trauma-informed care
- Ethics and empathy
- Policy analysis
- Research and evaluation
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 Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing totals $17250.00, or 23 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 EventsUpcoming Events
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
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Spring: November 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing include:
Official 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.
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.
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 Social Work MSW Online Bilingual with Advanced Standing program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAYRelated Programs
Masters | Part-Time Only | Online | Fall
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. Breaking down these barriers requires culturally competent clinical social workers who are specifically prepared to work with Latinx, immigrant, and refugee communities. This program, the first of its kind in the inland United States, is designed to prepare you to become that social worker.
Apply NowRequest InfoMasters | Part-Time Only | Online | Spring
This program aims to develop professionals with the competence and assurance needed to tackle the mission of enhancing the well-being of individuals and families. It empowers participants to become agents of change within their communities, championing social justice causes. Success in our program is likely if you possess a genuine dedication to social justice issues and a resolute commitment to advocating for positive change in the lives of individuals and communities. This online program gives you access to our distinguished coursework from anywhere in the world. If you earned your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at an accredited institution within the past five years, the Advanced Standing option can be completed in four continuous semesters.
Apply NowRequest Info