Loyola University Chicago

School of Social Work

Master of Social Work (MSW)

MSW PROGRAM MISSION

The MSW Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work provides transformative education for practice-informed social work. The MSW program advances rich and diverse knowledge grounded in empowering work with clients and organizations from a participatory, person-in-environment perspective. The MSW program promotes social justice through macro, meso, and micro practice. “Transformative education” reflects the MSW program’s commitment to engaging students to be effective change agents for social justice in a global context. “Practice-informed social work” refers to a strengths-based, client-centered focus in working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and environmental systems.

The MSW program is increasingly global in scope and is dynamic and diverse. Consequently, its mission is to educate students to understand the diversity of communities, to advocate for disenfranchised populations, and to respond to human needs, social justice and human rights issues with dedication, depth of knowledge, and ethically sound practice skills to fulfill the profession’s goals of a just society for all. The MSW program is committed to removing all forms of discrimination and prejudice, including socioeconomic variances, differences in gender expression and sexual orientation, physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, as well as those based upon age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and culture. This concept of diversity recognizes that discrimination, prejudice, and other forms of injustice negatively affect human development, and that social workers must understand those forces and implement interventions to empower people to eradicate them.

The MSW program strives to instill a sense of mission in its students, and it endeavors to foster their intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth so that our students are committed and prepared to live a life that is dedicated to service to others. The MSW program views the development of excellent and ethically sound practice skills, and values that are embedded within the history and context of the Jesuit order and the social work profession as integral to its mission. 

Overview

The Master’s in Social Work degree is a two-year program offering advanced practice training in clinical, school, and community settings. Graduates of this program are well-positioned for leadership roles in clinical, human services, outreach, and development settings. Learn more about course offerings for Master of social work students.

The School of Social Work faculty spent two years working to make our MSW degree program more accessible, rigorous, and affordable. The outcome of those deliberations was a unanimous vote to offer a revised curriculum. This new curriculum improves consistency within the program, provides a rigorous and streamlined process for degree completion, and expands the school’s innovative use of simulation to support student training.

Students in the Master’s in Social Work Program can select an area of specialization in:

Students in the Micro Practice Specialization can choose a track from the following:

The Leadership, Mezzo, & Macro Practice (LMMP) specialization offers a track in:

Upon completing the program, students have completed the education requirements for the LSW and the LCSW licenses.

Program benefits

  • Earn your degree from an accredited, nonprofit college rated #28 in the nation for graduate social work by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Make professional connections and gain experience through internships at one of more than 1000 partner agencies.
  • An advanced standing program is available for students who received a BSW degree within the past five years.
  • Focus on your specialty through the Micro Practice or Leadership, Mezzo, and Macro Practice tracks.
  • Online and in-person courses are available.