Beth Shelton, a PhD student at the University of Illinois School of Social Work and the first certified perinatal mental health specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Mid-South region, recognized early on the profound impact that a lack of trauma-focused care can have on the mental well-being of families who have experienced the loss of […]
When University of Illinois School of Social Work PhD student Erika La Frano began her career as a clinician, she witnessed firsthand the struggles immigrant women face when seeking help after intimate partner violence (IPV). Her clients encountered barriers that extended far beyond the violence itself, including language differences, cultural stigma, lack of legal knowledge, […]
At the University of Illinois School of Social Work, our PhD candidates are advancing knowledge and practice in the field. Their innovative research addresses urgent social issues such as health disparities, child welfare, community engagement, and digital equity, helping to shape solutions that create meaningful change in Illinois and around the world. They are also […]
The School of Social Work received the Illinois Global Institute (IGI) New Approaches to International Area and Global Studies Grant and has, in partnership with other units at the University if Illinois Urbana-Champaign, created “Leveraging the Arts for Global Dialogue”. This initiative aims to explore racial and social transnational justice through creative expression. Gianna Camacho […]
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s online Master of Social Work (iMSW) program has been ranked the #1 Best Online MSW Program of 2025 by Forbes Advisor, earning top marks for research activity, graduation rates, and long-term student success. The online Bachelor of Social Work (iBSW) program has been ranked the #2 Best for Postgraduate Earnings, taking into account the graduation and […]
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of six of our BSW students, whose oral presentations and posters were recognized among the best across the University of Illinois campus during this year’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. Each project received an Outstanding Presentation award, highlighting the students’ commitment to impactful, justice-focused research. Award-Winning Presentations: “Poor Decision-Making […]
The signature event of Undergraduate Research Week has been held on the University of Illinois (U of I) campus since 2008. The number of undergraduate students participating has grown from a few hundred in its inaugural year to well over 800 students. Over the course of the day, students present their work in concurrent oral […]
The Social Worker Opportunity Track (SWOT) Grant, funded by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, provides up to $20,000 in financial support for students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. This initiative is designed to strengthen the mental health workforce in Winnebago County. Eligible students must […]
Apoorva Nag, a PhD student at Illinois Social Work, has been awarded a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship for the 2024-2025 academic year. This highly competitive fellowship recognizes emerging scholars who are dedicated to advancing social policy through research, advocacy, and legislative engagement. As a fellow, Apoorva will gain hands-on […]