Social Work

Through hard work and dedication, social workers advance human rights and create a more just society. 

Professionals provide assistance and resources to the most vulnerable individuals and families in our communities. They tackle problems people face in their everyday lives, such as violence, mental illness, drug abuse, racism, and poverty. 

Once you start your career, you will be able to choose the work environment that excites you. Social workers practice in a variety of settings including schools, nursing homes, government agencies, and many more. 

Why Study Social Work?

In this major and in your future social work career, you will make an impact on the world.

Our engaging curriculum and dedicated faculty prepare you to advocate for social, organizational, community, economic, and policy change. You will have all the skills and confidence needed to succeed and make people's lives better. 

We focus on a liberal arts foundation which means you get a well-rounded education. You will have expertise in social work theory, practice, and research. With such broad knowledge, you will be prepared to respond to the evolving needs of people. 

Related Skills

• ability to manage pressure well
• good conflict resolution skills
• good listener and motivator
• posses the understanding of human behavior
• ability to lead and be a team member
• organizational skills
• strong communication skills
• creativity
• empathy for others
• appreciation for diversity
• interest in social change

Being Successful in the Field

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares individuals for entry-level direct practice.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary to provide therapy and for advancement to supervisory or administrative positions.
• Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) or Ph.D. is usually required for positions in teaching, research, and administration. Desirable for some clinical positions and private practice.
• Complete a degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Programs include practical field experience.
• Most states require licensure, certification, or registration.
• The field practicum is used to determine suitability for this profession and to provide exposure to various practice settings and clients.

Related Fields

• Mental health facilities and outpatient clinics
• Community mental health centers
• Child welfare agencies
• Adoption programs
• Substance use disorder treatment programs
• Government agencies (federal, state, and local)
• HIV/AIDS clinics and outreach programs
• Youth services
• Early intervention programs
• Head Start programs
• Intimate partner violence services
• Senior services
• Community-based programs
• Advocacy agencies
• Legal services
• Homeless services
• Relief services
• Community organizing efforts
• Services to individuals with developmental disabilities
• Child Protective Services
• Correctional facilities
• Public health services
• Public assistance agencies
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Political office
• Military support services
• International organizations
• Union organizing
• Employee assistance programs
• Hospice services
• Research
• Private practice

Career Industry Liaison

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Prepare to major in Social Work

Plan Your High School Courses

The Social Work major builds on foundation skills in math, writing, science, social sciences, history and reasoning. The more classes you can take in high school that will help you improve these skills, the better.

Being fluent in a foreign language is also beneficial. As social work becomes more multicultural, the field will need people who can speak and understand different languages.

Additional Requirements

Entry into the social work program and profession is also based on legal requirements. The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the  National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics outline the laws around getting your license and practicing in the field.

Applying to Illinois State

Fall admission only.

Admission is on a rolling basis.

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Program Requirements

To be accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program, you must meet the School’s requirements.

Grade and Course Requirements

• Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA
• At least 45 credit hours completed prior to enrollment
• Grade of C or better in Introduction to Social Work (SWK 170), grade of D or better in Human Biology (BSC 101, BSC 145 or BSC 170) and grade of D or better in Statistics (ECO 138, GEO 138, PSY 138, SOC 275 or MGT 100)

Exemptions from the grade point requirement may be made for students who demonstrate potential for academic success in Social Work. Exceptions are granted upon the recommendations of the Social Work Admission Committee and the director or designee of the Social Work program.

Personal Essay

Length: 1-3 pages, double-spaced

The application will ask you to submit an essay. The admissions committee will use your essay to understand your interest in pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work.

You can use examples from your life, employment, or volunteer experience to illustrate your views and statements. Your essay will be evaluated by the content as well as the quality of your responses.

Essay Topics and Questions:

• Describe how social work is a good fit for you.

• Discuss how your life experiences have shaped your beliefs about social justice. Share your experience working in service of others. Life experiences may be related to personal, interpersonal, volunteer, work, educational, familial, etc. experiences.

• As a social worker, you will likely have clients whose personal backgrounds and life experiences are different from yours. Describe how you will hold yourself accountable for serving people from different backgrounds and beliefs with sensitivity and compassion?

Additional Requirements

Entry into the social work program and profession is also based on legal requirements. The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the  National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics outline the laws around getting your license and practicing in the field.

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

2.77 - 3.51

Required Courses

Earn a grade C or better in:

• Introduction to Social Work (SWK 170)

Earn a grade D or better in:

One human biology course from the following options:

• • Fundamental Concepts in Biology (BSC 101)
  • Human Biology (BSC 145)
  • Genetics and Society (BSC 170)

One statistics course from the following options:

• • Economic Reasoning Using Statistics (ECO 138)
  • Maps and Geographic Reasoning (GEO 138)
  • Reasoning in Psychology Using Statistics (PSY 138)
  • Social Statistics (SOC 275)
  • Statistical Reasoning (MGT 100)

Recommended Courses

Earn a grade D or better in the following courses.

• Cultures of the World (ANT 185)
• Individual and Social Choice (ECO 103), Microeconomics (ECO 101), or Macroeconomics (ECO 102)
• Introduction to Sociology (SOC 106)
• Psychopathology (PSY 350)

A Psychology course from one of the following options:

• Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY 110)
• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 111)

A Political Science course from one of the following options:

• Citizens and Governance (POL 101)
• United States Government and Civics Practices (POL 106)

Completing recommended courses ensures you progress through the program in a timely manner.

If you are admitted but do not have these courses, your degree completion may be extended by a semester or more.

Additional Information

Fall admission only

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

2.77 - 3.51

Application Period

September 1 - November 15, Fall Admission Only

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Grade and Course Requirements

• Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA
• At least 45 credit hours completed prior to enrollment
• Grade of C or better in Introduction to Social Work (SWK 170)

Personal Essay

Length: 1-3 pages, double-spaced

The application will ask you to submit an essay. The admissions committee will use your essay to understand your interest in pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work.

You can use examples from your life, employment, or volunteer experience to illustrate your views and statements. Your essay will be evaluated by the content as well as the quality of your responses.

Essay Topics and Questions:

1. Describe how social work is a good fit for you.

2. Discuss how your life experiences have shaped your beliefs about social justice. Share your experience working in service of others. Life experiences may be related to personal, interpersonal, volunteer, work, educational, familial, etc. experiences.

3. As a social worker, you will likely have clients whose personal backgrounds and life experiences are different from yours. Describe how you will hold yourself accountable for serving people from different backgrounds and beliefs with sensitivity and compassion?

Required Courses

• SWK 170 - Introduction to Social Work (must earn a grade C or better)

One human biology course from the following:

• BSC 101 - Fundamental Concepts in Biology
• BSC 145 - Human Biology
• BSC 170 - Genetics and Society

One statistics course from the following:

• ECO/GEO/POL/PSY 138 - Social Science Reasoning and Statistics
• MGT 100 - Statistical Reasoning
• MAT 150 - Fundamentals Of Statistical Reasoning

One sociology course:

• SOC 106 - Intro to Sociology

Two psychology courses:

• PSY 110 - Intro to Psychology
• PSY 350 - Psychopathology

One economics course:

• ECO 103 - Individual and Social Change

One political science course:

• POL 101 or POL 106

One anthropology course:

• ANT 185 - Fulfills AMALI Requirement

The College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement may be met by:

• Three years of foreign language in high school, or
• Completion of the second semester (LAN 112) or higher of a college level foreign langague (including American Sign Language) with a grade of C or better

Additional Requirements

Entry into the social work program and profession is also based on legal requirements. The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics outline the laws around getting your license and practicing in the field.

Academic Advising