University of St. Francis MSW
The University of St. Francis traces its roots back to 1920 when the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate founded this respected institution. Their vision created a heritage of academic excellence and Franciscan values that continues today. The university’s suburban 22-acre main campus in Joliet, Illinois offers students an intimate learning environment where they thrive both personally and professionally.
Nearly 3,200 students now learn both on campus and online. The 2023-2024 academic year saw 1,306 undergraduates and 1,879 postgraduates enrolled, which shows the university’s strong emphasis on advanced education programs like the Master of Social Work.
Small class sizes stand at the core of St. Francis education. Students receive personal attention and take active roles in meaningful discussions. This supportive setting helps faculty and students build strong relationships that lead to deeper learning and professional growth. The university’s solid financial foundation includes a $26.60 million endowment as of 2022.
President Ryan C. Hendrickson and Provost Beth Roth lead the university’s academic vision and strategic direction. Their leadership has helped the university keep its reputation for quality education while staying affordable and accessible. These qualities make it a strong competitor among Chicago-area institutions.
U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect the university’s excellence. St. Francis consistently earns spots on several prestigious annual lists including ‘Best National Universities,’ ‘Best Value Schools,’ and ‘Best Online Programs’. These honors show the university’s dedication to exceptional education across all formats.
St. Francis welcomes students into a community guided by Catholic values and traditions as a Franciscan university rooted in liberal arts. The university prepares students through academic excellence in all programs to contribute to society through service and leadership—principles that line up naturally with social work education.
A century of growth has seen St. Francis evolve from a teaching college for Sisters into a detailed university with over 50,000 alumni worldwide. Yet the institution has managed to keep its focus on meaningful educational experiences that shape students into leaders inspired by Franciscan values.
This rich institutional background helps prospective MSW students understand the principles and environment that shape their social work program’s educational approach and practice.
Programs offered
The University of St. Francis MSW program gives working professionals a complete Master of Social Work education. Students can attend evening, weekend, and online classes. This CSWE-accredited program creates multiple paths to advance your social work career based on your background and goals.
Students who study full-time usually finish their MSW degree in two years or four semesters. A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program might qualify you for advanced standing, letting you graduate in just one academic year. The program also works well with part-time schedules.
Students need 62 semester credit hours to graduate. The program’s first 30 credit hours build the MSW degree’s foundation and teach essential skills for competent, generalist social work practice.
USF’s program lets you pick between two specializations that line up with your career goals:
- Advanced Generalist Practice – This path prepares you to work with people of all backgrounds. You can build expertise in aging/gerontology, child welfare, criminal justice, developmental disabilities, domestic violence, forensics, health care, immigration, mental health, and substance use. You’ll learn to solve problems and help others at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- School Social Work – This focus teaches you to bring vital skills to school systems and student services teams. You’ll learn to handle mental health concerns, behavioral issues, positive behavioral support, academic assistance, and counseling services. The Illinois State Board of Education has approved USF to offer a Professional Educators License School Social Work Endorsement through this concentration.
Field education stands at the heart of the MSW curriculum. Advanced Generalist Practice students spend 500 hours in supervised fieldwork. School Social Work specialists need 600 contact hours in a school setting. Students gain hands-on experience in social service agencies with personal supervision.
Social workers with an MSW degree can earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Social Work to work in Illinois schools. The university’s Professional Graduate Certificate in Gerontology helps professionals make a difference in elderly people’s lives and their families’ lives.
Students can choose between online and in-person programs, with online options accessible nationwide. Online students get real-life experience through internships in their local communities.
About the online program
USF’s online Master of Social Work program runs on the Canvas learning management system. Students can complete their coursework when it best fits their schedule. This flexibility gives students a major advantage over traditional classroom education, but success requires self-discipline and organization.
The program is available nationwide, so students can earn their degree from any location. You won’t need to move or travel to campus since everything happens online. Students get hands-on experience through internships in their local communities. This setup helps them build professional connections where they live and work.
The distance format doesn’t compromise academic rigor. Online students tackle the same challenging coursework as their campus peers. The curriculum includes assigned readings, discussion boards, various assignments, and exams. Yes, it is a practical, ground-level curriculum that works well for working adults.
Students can learn both in real-time and at their own pace. Real-time online courses use live streaming platforms like Zoom, Big Blue Button, or Microsoft Teams with scheduled meeting times. These sessions help with live presentations, discussions, demonstrations, and assessments – no classroom needed. The coursework also includes web-based reading and research assignments.
Note that not logging into online courses won’t automatically drop you from the program. Students must follow USF Academic Catalog’s official procedures to drop or withdraw from a course.
The Advanced Generalist concentration lets students choose from social work specialties in a variety of areas. These specialties come from research, practicum experiences, and elective coursework. For example, the School Social Work track prepares students to apply specialized knowledge in educational systems and student services teams.
USF’s online program matches the quality of on-campus education. The curriculum and teaching methods fit perfectly with working professionals who want to advance their social work careers.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital factor to think about while selecting a graduate social work program. It serves as a professional standard that will give you quality education from institutions meeting rigorous academic standards. Recognized accrediting agencies evaluate academic programs, administration, mission, financial health, and resources regularly.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has granted institutional accreditation to the University of St. Francis. This regional accreditation agency, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education since 1938, validates the university’s academic credibility. The university has managed to keep educational excellence in all its programs.
St. Francis’s Master of Social Work program also holds specialized accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This recognition, which dates back to 1982, affects your career prospects by a lot because employers and state licensing boards look for candidates with degrees from CSWE-accredited programs. Students focused on school social work should know that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has approved the university to offer a Post-MSW Professional Educators License with School Social Work Endorsement.
CSWE accreditation brings several benefits to your education. Your MSW curriculum meets national standards for social work education. The coursework prepares you for professional practice through proper fieldwork experiences. It makes licensure eligibility easier, as most states require CSWE-accredited program graduates to qualify for social work licensure examinations.
The University of St. Francis has earned many more programmatic accreditations in disciplines of all types, showing its dedication to educational quality. The Illinois Board of Higher Education has authorized the university’s operation as a post-secondary educational institution.
Accreditation status can influence your financial aid eligibility and job opportunities. The university’s long-term partnerships with accrediting bodies give MSW students clear proof of program quality. A degree from the University of St. Francis MSW program carries recognition and respect throughout the profession.
Admission Requirements
The University of St. Francis Master of Social Work program looks at several requirements to find qualified candidates. Your educational background and chosen pathway will determine the specific admission process.
Students must complete the program application and submit supporting documents to start the standard MSW program. Each graduate program at USF has its own set of requirements based on the discipline. Your admissions counselor will guide you through the next steps or connect you with an Academic Advisor.
USF’s MSW program offers a great benefit – no GRE test score is required for admission. This makes the application process easier for many students who want to pursue an advanced degree.
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program might qualify for advanced standing. The advanced standing track needs 32 credit hours instead of the traditional MSW track’s 62 hours. This cuts down your completion time and program costs by a lot.
Students can transfer up to six credit hours into the MSW program. This helps if you started your studies at another institution. However, transfer students cannot join the advanced standing program.
The dean of the college must approve all admission applications. International graduate students need to meet extra requirements beyond the standard process.
USF allows students seeking a second Master’s degree in a related field to apply up to 12 credits from their first USF degree. Individual programs determine which credits count toward the second degree.
Tuition
Smart financial planning plays a key role in your graduate education. Understanding the full cost of the University of St. Francis MSW program will help you make smart decisions about your academic future.
The MSW program at St. Francis costs $608 per credit hour. You’ll need 62 credit hours to graduate, which brings the total tuition to about $37,696. In spite of that, your credit requirements might drop to 32 hours if you qualify for advanced standing with your prior BSN education. This is a big deal as it means that you’ll spend much less on your degree.
The program gives you flexibility to graduate in 12-24 months as a full-time student. This lets you plan your finances and education at your own pace.
Good news for St. Francis graduates – starting Spring 2025, the university will give up to 20% off master’s programs for alumni who become new USF graduate students. This discount saves you money when you continue your education here.
The program offers several ways to manage your costs:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – Up to $20,500 per academic year
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan – Covers total attendance cost minus other aid
- Private Alternative Loan Programs – Options with varying interest rates based on lenders and credit scores
The numbers speak for themselves – 95% of USF students get some form of need-based aid. The university also has a ’10 Pay-Plan’ at $90 per semester through the Business Office that spreads costs across the academic year.
Your employer might help too. USF partners with many companies through its Corporate Partners Program. Employees at these companies get extra discounts.
St. Francis financial aid advisors suggest you look at all your financial options and assets before taking loans. This helps keep your student debt low during grad school.
Additional Information
The University of St. Francis MSW program places field education at its core. The Council on Social Work Education recognizes it as the “signature pedagogy” of social work education. Students complete comprehensive practical training throughout their studies. Advanced Generalist Practice students must meet 500 supervised fieldwork hours, while School Social Work specialization candidates need 600 contact hours in school settings.
USF collaborates with more than 75 social service organizations to provide hands-on experience. Each student works directly with the field education director to find internships that match their learning needs and interests.
These field experiences let students participate in supervised direct service activities. Students gain practical experience in foundation and advanced practice areas. This approach helps develop professionally reflective, self-evaluating, knowledgeable social workers.
USF provides additional valuable resources:
- Student Alumni Mentoring program that connects you with experienced professionals
- Career Success Center that assists with internship placements and job opportunities
- Phi Alpha honorary social work society membership opportunities
USF Social Work graduates find success in various settings including mental health, medical social work, child welfare, human rights initiatives, and community organizing.
The University of St. Francis MSW program gives you essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to lead in the social work field.