Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
On-Campus
About the Master of Social Work (MSW) with Advanced Standing at Loyola
Designed for individuals who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), our Advanced Standing program offers a streamlined path to earning your MSW.
Students build upon their foundational knowledge by deepening their understanding of theory and developing their expertise in providing compassionate, culturally responsive care through rigorous coursework, hands-on internships, and engagement with diverse communities and populations.
Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence, service, and social justice, our accelerated program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical framework necessary to become effective and compassionate social work practitioners, help individuals, families, and communities overcome challenges, and shape a more just and equitable world.
Program Structure
If you have received a BSW degree within the past five years, the MSW with Advanced Standing option can help you complete your MSW degree in just one year. The Advanced Standing program is 23 credit hours and requires one internship for a total of 600 hours. Please note the Advanced Standing Option is Fall start only.
Specialization
Students in the Master's in Social Work with Advanced Standing program can select an area of specialization in Micro Practice or Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice (LMMP).
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 Micro Practice Specialization can choose a track from the following:
The Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice area of specialization extend foundation knowledge and skills in working at the mezzo and macro levels of social work practice. Informed by an anti-racist framework and social work ethics, LMMP courses educate students in critical thinking, reflective attention to affective factors, and informed decision-making for action. These overarching values and processes are applied to the development of theoretical knowledge of community change, organizations, leadership and supervision, and policy advocacy.
The courses address skill development for mezzo/macro practice, including: leading people; managing programs, services, and organizations; developing and evaluating programs and policies; supervising and supporting the work of individuals, teams, and groups; assisting the professional development of others; developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating budgets; engaging in policy advocacy and coalition building; working with advisory and/or policy boards; supporting evaluation and research endeavors to assess effectiveness and efficiency; performing development activities such as fund-raising and grant writing.
The Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice Specialization (LMMP) offers a track in Leadership, Community, Advocacy, and Policy (LCAP).
LMMP Suggested Electives
SOWK 602: Health and Behavioral Health Policy and Systems
SOWK 606: Practicum in Research and Evaluation
SOWK 654: Global Social Work: Reflective Practice for Justice and Peace
SOWK 663: Women in a Global Context
SOWK 709: Social Work and the Law
SOWK 714: Philanthropy, Public Policy, Community Change
SOWK 730: Migration Dynamics and U.S, Social Policy
SOWK 732: Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights
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.
Why Choose Loyola for Your MSW?
Choosing the right degree program to continue your education will shape the launch and success of your career as a social worker. With Loyola’s distinct focus on academic innovation and social justice, you will have the opportunity to work with leading practitioners, apply classroom learnings to real-world experiences, and make a positive impact on your client communities.
- Accelerate your social work career
- Community immersion and internships
- Ethics and values guided by social justice
- Faculty and staff excellence
- Nationally ranked and respected institution
- Choose your flexible learning format
- Programa bilingüe con nivel avanzado
Students who already have a BSW can enter the 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.
Transfer concepts and skills from the classroom to hands-on experience with internships through Loyola’s extensive community partnerships with over 1,000 agencies. In the fall semester, new MSW students will participate in a one-week Community Immersion Program (CIP), which allows students to participate directly with communities and learn about the social work profession.
Guided by our Jesuit heritage, Loyola’s MSW instructors infuse a focus on social justice into the program through teaching, research, and community development. This framework creates social workers who seek to provide compassionate, culturally competent care and actively work to advance equity and eliminate oppression in our communities.
Learn from leading social work practitioners and researchers, who bring their invaluable experience and expertise in clinical and policy-based social work into the classroom. Nearly 100% of our faculty hold a terminal degree in social work and have more than five years of experience in social work practice.
Rated one of the top social work graduate programs in Chicago and #28 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (2024), earn your degree from an institution recognized for its academic excellence, innovation and proven track record of producing successful and impactful social workers.
The Advanced Standing MSW offers both in-person and online options for full-time and part-time learners. Classes are offered in the daytime and the evening, empowering you to build the schedule that fits best with your lifestyle and obligations.
Obtén más información sobre nuestro programa de Maestría Bilingüe de Trabajo Social en Línea al Nival Avanzado. 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.). El programa comienza en el semestre de primavera y se puede completar 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 with Advanced Standing program.
Faculty and StaffMSW: Career Connections
ith an MSW from Loyola, you will be well-prepared for a career supporting client communities and advocating for their needs in a broad range of social work settings. MSW graduates pursue careers as social workers in a broad range of settings, including behavioral and mental health agencies, nonprofit organizations, government, law enforcement, schools, healthcare institutions, and more.
Specific job options include:
- Clinical social worker
- Mental health counselor
- Child welfare specialist
- School social worker
- Medical social worker
- Law enforcement social worker
- Program manager
- Policy analyst
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.
Job Outlook
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.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Social Work MSW 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 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 CatalogMSW Program Results and Skills
A Master of Social Work will empower you to integrate foundational knowledge, practical experience, and the values of the social work profession both in the classroom and in real-world settings. You will graduate ready to provide community care and support.
Among the skills emphasized are:
- Clinical assessment and intervention
- Active and reflective listening
- Cultural competence
- Advocacy and organization
- Research and evaluation
- 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
The estimated tuition and fees for the Social Work MSW with Advanced Standing totals $24840.00, or 23 credit hours at a cost of $1,080.00 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 Social Work MSW 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.
Fall
Priority: March 1
Final: May 1
Fall 2024 only: June 1
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Social Work MSW with Advanced Standing include:
Official Transcripts
2 References
3.0 Minimum GPA
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 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 or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall, Spring, Summer
This program 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.
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