Degree Requirements
Course Catalog
The official curriculum requirements for each academic program are maintained in the Chicago State University Course Catalog. Use the links below to access the corresponding catalog entries for each program, which include required coursework, electives, credit hour requirements, and related academic policies.
Full-Time Program
The two-year full-time program is available for students who can devote themselves to full-time academic and field study in social work. Students complete 60 academic credits required for graduation in two years.
Advanced Standing Program
The Advanced Program at the Chicago State University Department of Social Work is an intensive program for students who have graduated from a CSWE (Council of Social Work Education) accredited baccalaureate social work program. A limited number of qualified applicants are accepted. Applicants must have received their BSW undergraduate degree within four years prior to admission.
Applicants to the Advanced Standing Program must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in the social work major. Students who receive a "C" in any undergraduate social work course must repeat the equivalent course in the MSW program. Advance standing students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credit hours toward the MSW degree. Applicants accepted into the program may be waived from courses required in the foundation year of the MSW program based on an evaluation of transcripts.
Part-Time Program
The Part-Time Program allows students flexibility in meeting the requirements for the MSW degree in three or four years. Students are expected to register for a minimum of two courses per semester, including summer.
The Curriculum for the Master's Degree Program
The CSU Graduate catalogue lists courses offered by the MSW Program. Appended to this handbook are sample programs for each semester. These samples provide a brief overview of the core elements of the MSW curriculum. The master’s degree requires a minimum of 60 credits. The following is a listing of courses required by all students of each concentration. All required courses are three credit hours each.
Full and Part-time Study Plans
Direct Practice or Program Planning and Administration Specialization Study Plans
- Full-Time 2-Year Study Plan
- Part-Time 3-Year Study Plan
- Advance Standing Full-Time 1-Year Study Plan
- Advance Standing Part-Time 2-Year Study Plan
School Social Work Specialization Study Plans
- Full-Time 2-year Study Plan
- Part-Time 3-Year Study Plan
- Advance Standing Full-Time 1-Year Study Plan
- Advance Standing Part-Time 2-Year Study Plan
School Social Work Specialization Application for Current CSU MSW Students
The Chicago State University School Social Work Concentration Application is required to assist the faculty in determining the best candidates for this demanding concentration. The requests for this concentration exceed the demand, and therefore not all qualified candidates will be selected. Your opportunities will be enhanced by completing the following materials on or before the designated timelines.
The School Social Work Concentration Application Deadline is December 30th.
If you are not selected for the School Social Work Specialization, you may select the Direct Services Specialization or the Program Planning and Administration Specialization.
Steps to Apply
- Step One: You must be an MSW student in good standing. Only those students who hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 with at least a grade of B in all courses in the Social Work major will be considered.
- Step Two: You must complete the brief Specialization Application and the Field Placement Application and submit it to the Department of Social Work no later than December 30th.
As part of your application, please obtain two letters of recommendation. One must be from your current field instructor. One must be from a CSU MSW faculty member able to speak to your academic performance.
Additional academic information
Links
Federal Websites
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
- National Council on Family Relations
Chicago and Illinois Government Websites
- City of Chicago
- Illinois Department of Children & Family Services
- Illinois Early Intervention Resources
- Illinois Association of School Social Workers
Professional Organizations & Publications
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- The New Social Worker Career Magazine
Publishers
Social Work Scholarships
©
Chicago State University 
All Rights Reserved
(773) 995-2000
