Online Social Work Programs – BSW & MSW
Social work opens doors to countless ways to make a difference—and we’re here to help you find your path. With degree options and research opportunities at every level, you can start your journey or continue to grow in a supportive, flexible environment.
No matter where you’re headed—advocating for change, leading organizations, or supporting individuals and families—the School of Social Work will prepare you to make a lasting impact.
The Social Worker Opportunity Track (SWOT) Grant
Strengthen Communities
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 commit to working in Winnebago County for three years after graduation.
Part-Time Online MSW Program
- Designed for individuals that cannot relocate to Urbana-Champaign but wish to earn their MSW degree from anywhere in the nation.
- While being a fully online program, students come together weekly via Zoom for class sessions.
- Students can choose to do a full-time or part-time internship.
- Only Illinois residents are able to choose the school’s focus area.
- Apply by November 15, 2025 for Spring 2026 or January 15, 2026 for Summer 2026.
Online BSW Program
- Enables students to transfer in with 60 hours.
- Generalist social work practice.
- Students can attend part-time or full-time.
Hear more from others
Jerald Kimble, MSW ’25
Online MSW Student
“The iMSW program was absolutely the perfect fit for me, given my current season of life … At
first I was intimidated by a lot of things – younger cohort members, all the required reading,
navigating electronically (when the last paper I’d completed for college was on a typewriter!),
and the thoughts of how to navigate an internship and a full-time job during Year Three. But the
teachers, staff, and fellow cohort members were great in putting my mind at ease and assuring
me that we would get through this program together. And we did!”
Brandon Seidensticker, BSW Alum, MSW Candidate
Online BSW/MSW Student
“As a Marine Corps veteran and current member of the Air National Guard, balancing military service, a full-time job, and academics was no easy task. The University of Illinois iBSW program provided the structure, flexibility, and unwavering faculty support I needed to thrive. The program’s inclusive culture, challenging coursework, and engaging online lectures built a strong foundation for my social work career and prepared me to become a well-rounded general practitioner. The transition from the iBSW to the iMSW program was seamless, and I highly recommend it to veterans and service members seeking a supportive, high-quality program that truly understands their goals and commitments.”
Become a leader in the information professions.
Enroll in a class after you are admitted as a non-degree student.
Get more informationApply Now