Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work degree program develops knowledge, values, and skills necessary for competent and effective social work practice. The college offers a curriculum for advanced social work practice in five areas of specialization: Mental Health, Child and Family, Organization and Community Practice, School Social Work, and Social Work within Justice Systems. Also available to students enrolled in the MSW program (separate application required after admission to the MSW program) is a Certificate in Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Children approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). In addition to the programs outlined above, the Jane Addams College of Social Work and School of Public Health offer a joint MSW/MPH degree program.

Full-time students complete the degree in two years. A three-year master’s program, known as the PM-Extended Study Option, is also available. Under the PM-Extended Study Option, students extend the usual first year of full-time study over two years, with classroom courses scheduled in the late afternoon and evening. Students in the first year of the full-time program and for the first two years of the PM-Extended Study Option are assigned a class schedule by the Jane Addams College of Social Work. In their third year, PM-Extended Study students must register for full-time study. Students in their specialization year are not preassigned a class schedule; daytime or evening class sections are offered to all specialization-year students.

For applicants who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years, the college offers admission with Advanced Standing. These students typically complete the Master of Social Work Program within two semesters.

The Master of Social Work at UIC is considered a professional program and is not administered by the Graduate College. For more information on the MSW program, admission requirements, and the application process, please consult the following websites:

• MSW admission process and requirements
• MSW degree requirements

MSW/MPH Joint Degree Program

The MSW/MPH joint degree allows students interested in the field of public health social work to complete the degree in a shorter period of time than would be required if the program were taken separately and provides students opportunities to integrate the competencies and perspectives of the two disciplines in a deliberate and coordinated way.

For more information on the MSW/MPH Joint Degree Program, please consult the following website:

• MSW/MPH joint degree program

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Black Studies
• Gender and Women's Studies
• Survey Research Methodology
• Violence Studies

Completing a concentration is in addition to, not in lieu of , selecting one of the social work specializations.

IBHE-Approved Certificate in Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Children

Contact Information:
Campus Location: Room 4509
(312) 996-8512
sonyal@uic.edu
https://socialwork.uic.edu/academics/msw-degree-program/ibhe-certificate-in-evidence-based-mental-health-practice-with-children
EBP Certificate Program Director: Sonya Leathers, PhD

The Jane Addams College of Social Work offers a Certificate in Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Children approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Only students admitted to the MSW program and enrolled in the Mental Health specialization are eligible to apply for admission to this certificate program. The certificate program offers students in their specialization year who have a career interest in working with children with mental health issues advanced training in evidence-based practice with children with mental health problems.

In addition to the Mental Health specialization course work, students in the certificate program have a field placement in one of several specially selected mental health agencies committed to using evidence-based practice to treat children with mental health issues. Along with their agency-based field supervisors these students also participate in a series of specialized integrative seminars.

The IBHE-Approved Certificate in Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Children at UIC is considered a professional program and is not administered by the Graduate College. For more information on this program, admission requirements, and the application process, please consult the Jane Addams College of Social Work website.