Applications open on September 1. The Early Action Deadline is November 1. To be eligible for early action admission, you must submit your application by 11:59 p.m. CT on November 1, and all required items must be received by November 7. Meeting this deadline may give you the best chance for being admitted to our most selective programs. You may also receive special attention for admission to honors programs and for merit awards. Early action is non-binding, meaning you’re not required to attend if you’re admitted.
Admission notifications happen on January 30 and the Accept Deadline is May 1, which is also National College Decision Day, the deadline for students to commit to a college. If you’re ready to accept your offer, you can do so in myIllini.
The Social Worker Opportunity Tracks (SWOT) grant has been made available through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board as a workforce development initiative to meet the mental health needs in Winnebago County. Receive up to 20K in funding toward your BSW or MSW degree if you plan to live and work in Winnebago County after graduation.
Open Illinois: Information and Guidance for Undocumented and DACA Students
Student Legal Services offers referrals to local immigration attorneys and resources to assist students with immigration-related concerns, including connections to the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Law, which may help students seeking to change their immigration status
La Casa Cultural Latina ensures that undocumented and DACA students feel supported. They provide resources and information pertinent to these students’ needs
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) serves the university’s international population through advising, immigration services, programming, advocacy, and outreach
The Career Center offers specialized support for undocumented and DACA students, including career exploration, job searching, and professional development advice. They can also connect students with organizations that specialize in supporting undocumented individuals
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has an abundance of resources for immigrant families, including a Know Your Rights fact sheet in English and Spanish
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides a Know Your Rights resource with guidance for families in specific immigration enforcement scenarios in both English and Spanish
National Immigrant Law Center – Established in 1979, it is one of the leading advocacy organizations dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) mission is to foster an environment that is open, safe and inclusive for people of all sexualities and gender identities
The UP Center of Champaign County advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities in Champaign County
Campus Queer Campus Coalition (QCC) and Affiliated Organizations such as the Ikenberry Rainbow Connection, BlacQ, Actually Neurodivergent
What undergraduate programs does the School of Social Work offer?
The School of Social Work offers the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, which prepares students for entry-level positions in social work and lays the foundation for graduate studies in social work.
What are the admission requirements for the BSW program?
To be admitted to the BSW program, students must meet the University of Illinois’ general admission requirements, including completing required coursework in social work prerequisites and maintaining a minimum GPA.
For first-year students: Typically, a strong high school academic record and standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) are required.
For transfer students: Transfer students should have completed at least 30 transferable credits, including prerequisite social work courses, and must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 or higher.
What is the application process for undergraduate students for the BSW program?
Transfer students must submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended and meet specific course prerequisites.
The process involves submitting the standard application form, an official transcript, and any other required documents (e.g., SAT/ACT scores for first-year applicants).
Is there a field placement or internship component in the BSW program?
Yes, the BSW program includes a field practicum that allows students to gain hands-on experience in social work practice. Students are required to complete field hours at local social service agencies, community centers, and healthcare settings.
What is the process for transferring into the School of Social Work?
Transfer students must submit their transcripts for review. The University of Illinois uses the Transferology tool to help determine course equivalencies, so it’s important to check how your courses will transfer.
Students must meet the general GPA requirement (2.5 minimum) and any specific course prerequisites for the BSW program.
Will my credits transfer into the social work program?
The University evaluates each transfer student’s coursework individually. Using Transferology, students can see how their credits from other institutions will transfer to the University of Illinois.
What kinds of careers can I pursue with a BSW degree from the University of Illinois?
Graduates with a BSW can pursue careers in various fields, including clinical social work, healthcare settings, school social work, social services agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public policy.
Many BSW graduates also continue their studies in the MSW (Master of Social Work) program to further specialize and enhance their career prospects.
What is the BSW Majors Experiential Learning Fee?
One of the unique features of the Bachelors of Social Work major is providing innovative programs and experiential learning opportunities. These intensive educational programs are a hallmark of social work education and distinguish our students as well prepared for success in the professional workforce as well as graduate and professional study.
The experiential learning fee is assessed to all Bachelor of Social Work majors to help cover part of the extensive faculty resources required to provide enriched social work learning opportunities. A one-time fee of $900 will be charged to BSW students once the student has earned 60-89.9 in progress hours; including transfer hours.
Virtual Suggestion Box
This is an opportunity for students to contribute ideas for consideration. All submissions will be received and reviewed by the School of Social Work Office of Student Affairs.
Your feedback is important to us and is something we value. While we cannot guarantee action on all suggestions, we are interested to hear student voices and welcome your suggestions in our attempts to continually improve your experience in the program.
All submissions are completely anonymous unless you provide your name and email in the spaces provided on the form. You are not required to provide a name and email address in order to submit a suggestion.
Local community partners submit project requests to the Community Learning Lab. If you are interested in learning more about service opportunities for a specific cause, we’d love to hear from you! Contact the Community Learning Lab to learn more.
