Professional Educator License for School Social Work

If you earned your MSW in a concentration other than school social work, you will need to take and complete coursework, as well as a one-semester internship in an Illinois public school.

You will complete the following requirements:

• SOCW 507:  School Social Work Practice
• SOCW 519:  Public School Policy and Services
• SOCW 531:  Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar
  This is a one semester internship working five days each week in a public school setting with an online component.

Requirements to Apply

• Master of Social Work from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the university in which the MSW was obtained.
• The Illinois State Board of Education requires that all students completing an educator licensure program obtain a C or higher in all graduate coursework.

PEL Application Process

Spring 2026 Application Opens July 1, 2025

UIUC MSW graduate applicants must submit the following to apply:

• PEL Certification Program Application
• PEL and SSW Endorsement Program Personal Statement
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation

Applicants that completed a Masters in Social Work from a different CSWE Accredited Program:

• Complete Graduate College Application
• Three (3) letters of reference (must be academic and/or professional in nature).   Letters of reference are part of the online Graduate College Application.
• Resume– This should include relevant education, volunteer, and work experience. The completed resume should be uploaded to the Graduate College Application.
• Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
  • Mail directly to:
    School of Social Work
    Illinois PEL with Endorsement in School Social Work Program
    1010 W. Nevada
    Urbana, IL 61801

* The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is currently allowing post-MSW social workers to seek admittance into the Short-Term Approval process if they meet the requirements. Learn more