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Social Work

School of Social Work

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What is Social Work?

The goal of social work is to better society by improving the conditions of those living in it. Our program will teach you how to help all sorts of people. You'll learn how to assist people who are suffering from poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and mental illness. In this major, you'll gain skills to work with people with disabilities as well as people with chronic illnesses. Social work students also learn how to help those who have experienced abuse such as domestic violence or sexual assault. Our program offers a valuable close-knit academic community. Students have the opportunity to engage with other units across the campus, community, and nation. 

We also offer a two-year program, Social Work iBSW, which is available to junior-level transfer students. This Council on Social Work Education-accredited program allows students with 60 hours of college credit to earn their Bachelor of Social Work degree 100% online through a combination of online courses and in-person field placements based on their location. Graduates can seamlessly transition into our one-year advanced standing master's program.

Career Options

  • Administration
  • Child welfare
  • Corrections
  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Government
  • Health care
  • Human resources
  • Nonprofit work
  • Rehabilitation
  • Therapy

Post-Graduation Success1

93% employed or continuing education

22% employed after graduation

70% attending graduate school

1% volunteering

$31,530 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Carle Foundation Hospital, Rosecrance Substance Abuse & Mental Health Treatment, Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis View All

Program Resources

School of Social Work Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Interest in helping people, being a change agent, and making a difference with organizations and communities
  • Understanding of the major and social work values
  • Volunteer experience and commitment to activities

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Guide

Graduation & Retention2

3.9 years to degree

90% first-year retention rate

Four-year graduation rate: N/A

Six-year graduation rate: N/A

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $12,712
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,222
  • Total: $35,862

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $31,832
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses:$18,562
  • Total: $55,322

International

  • Tuition: $32,780
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,562
  • Total: $56,270

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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