Undergraduate Research Opportunities
SOCW 310: Undergraduate Research Assistance
This is a great starting point for getting involved in research. Students will assist a faculty member on one of their current research projects. This is a great opportunity to learn more about research, assist leading scholars in social work research with a wide array of tasks, and gain valuable experience in preparation for future careers and graduate school.
Interested in SOCW 310? What’s next?
- Contact School of Social Work faculty: Browse faculty bios and research areas and check out Illinois Experts
- Talk with fellow BSW, MSW, and PhD students
- Read the BSW e-Newsletter: some faculty will advertise openings or opportunities through the newsletter
- Email Undergraduate Research Program Coordinator, Professor Rachel Garthe, for more information.
After assisting with research, students may want to continue to hone their skills as researchers. There are two additional course options for these students (SOCW 418 and SOCW 480). Both require a faculty mentor and School approval. Contact Dr. Garthe for more information.
If you have written a research piece, policy analysis, literature review, poster presentation, or creative piece (e.g., multimedia presentation, artistic expression), and would like to publish this work in a peer-reviewed journal, consider the Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research.
Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research
The Journal of Undergraduate Social Work Research (JUSWR) is the University of Illinois School of Social Work journal that showcases peer-reviewed undergraduate research from social work and related disciplines. JUSWR is an annual publication that provides a comprehensive forum for discourse on research and other forms of original work relevant to social work and current social issues. JUSWR welcomes submissions throughout the year. Send submissions to: sw-ugjournal@illinois.edu
You can also apply to serve as a Peer Editor for the JUSWR. A call for editors will be announced early in the spring semester.
2021 Call for Papers – Submission deadline for the Fall 2021 Volume 5 is June 1, 2021
Current Staff:
Senior Editor
Rebecca Dohleman Hawley, MSW
Undergraduate Senior Editor
Mary-Elizabeth Guenther
Undergraduate Junior Editors
Allison Keating
Reed Marshall
David Mowry
Matt Saxsma
Madisyn Welsh
Amanda C. Yeazel
Advisory Board
Dr. Janet Carter-Black, BSW Program Director
Dr. Rachel Garthe, Undergraduate Research Program Coordinator
Undergrad Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Symposium
School of Social Work students present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Undergraduate Research Certificate Program
Students can also apply for the Undergraduate Research Certificate Program.
Rachel Garthe
Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Research Program Coordinator

