Aurora University Social Work Masters
Aurora University began its journey in 1893 as Mendota Seminary in Illinois. The school moved to Aurora in 1912 and evolved beyond its original focus of preparing ministry graduates to embrace a broader educational mission. This private, nonprofit university now is proof of academic excellence and community service spanning more than a century.
The campus sits in Aurora, Illinois—the state’s second largest city—just 45 miles from Chicago. This prime location gives students a perfect mix of suburban peace and city opportunities. The main campus covers 32 acres and features buildings with distinctive red tile roofs that showcase the school’s architectural heritage.
The master’s in social work program belongs to the prestigious George Williams School of Social Work. The school managed to keep accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since 1969. Your graduate education meets the highest professional standards, especially when you have plans to pursue licensure and career advancement in social work.
Students follow a semester-based academic year with fall and spring terms, plus summer course options. The university boasts an impressive 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Classes average 26 students, creating close-knit learning communities that foster active participation and professional networking.
The United States government recognizes Aurora University as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). This recognition highlights the university’s inclusive educational approach and steadfast dedication to creating fair learning opportunities.
Students can choose from various academic programs:
- Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees
- Certificates and endorsements
- Accelerated Advantage graduate programs
- Online bachelor’s and graduate programs
The university lives up to its motto of being “a private university with a public purpose”. Community engagement through educational initiatives and cultural programming remains a priority. This service-focused mindset matches the social work profession’s core values perfectly.
On top of that, the Higher Learning Commission’s accreditation ensures your degree meets strict educational standards recognized across the United States and beyond.
Programs offered
Aurora University has a rich selection of social work education options. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is the core of graduate education in this field. Students can choose paths that match their career goals and schedules with two-year full-time and three-year part-time options.
Students in the full-time MSW program take 15 semester hours each semester for four semesters. The part-time program spreads nine semester hours across the first four semesters. Students then complete 12 semester hours per semester in the third year. Students with a BSW from an accredited program can take advantage of the Advanced Standing option. This reduces their required credits from 60 to 30 and speeds up degree completion.
Aurora University makes learning accessible with several format options:
- Traditional on-campus programs at the Main Campus or University Center at McHenry County College
- Fully online MSW programs with fall, spring, and summer start dates
- Employment-based internships that let you use your current workplace for field experience
The main goal of the MSW program helps students prepare for clinical social work practice and support vulnerable populations. Beyond the generalist curriculum, students can focus their education through several tracks:
Clinical Specialization Tracks:
- Addictions – prepares you for the Illinois Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification
- Child Welfare – helps protect children and preserve families
- School Social Work – guides you toward Illinois Professional Educator License eligibility
- Forensic Social Work – combines social work with legal expertise
- Gerontology – focuses on working with older adults in various settings
- Health Care – readies you for roles in medical environments
- Military and Veteran Social Work – specializes in serving military populations
- Leadership Administration – suits those interested in management roles
The university also offers innovative dual-degree programs that blend social work with business or public administration expertise. These include the MSW/MBA (Social Work/Business Administration) and MSW/MPA (Social Work/Public Administration) programs, available online.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program creates a strong foundation for undergraduate students. This CSWE-accredited four-year program prepares students for entry-level social work practice. BSW graduates can apply for advanced standing in the MSW program. Students can also choose specialized tracks in Addictions or Child Welfare to gain expertise before starting their careers.
Field experience is the heart of all social work programs at Aurora University. MSW students complete 450 clock hours during the generalist year and 600 clock hours in the specialization year. This hands-on experience helps build practical skills and professional networks.
About the online program
The George Williams School of Social Work’s online Master of Social Work program stands out as Chicagoland’s first CSWE-accredited online graduate program. Working professionals will find this innovative program perfect with its flexible schedule and high academic standards.
Students can access course materials whenever it suits them best through asynchronous online learning. The program has scheduled live sessions that let you participate meaningfully with faculty and fellow students. This mix gives you both flexibility and valuable live interaction.
You can earn your MSW online through an interactive virtual classroom. The program uses state-of-the-art technology with Simucase simulation-based education. Students can apply their classroom knowledge to realistic scenarios in a controlled, available virtual environment. This tool builds clinical competency and provides instant feedback.
Mental health and community advocacy form the core of this comprehensive curriculum. Students get hands-on experience through required field instruction. Advanced standing students might even complete this at their current workplace. Graduates leave with job-ready skills they can use immediately.
Expert educators with extensive real-life social work experience lead the program. They create lessons based on their professional backgrounds to help you develop practical skills. Their expertise helps you learn about community social service and human behavior through different perspectives, including medical social work.
Students can complete the program at different speeds:
- Standard MSW: 60 credit hours in as little as two years
- Advanced Standing option: 30 credit hours in as few as 12 months (for those with a CSWE-accredited BSW earned within five years)
Graduates qualify for roles like healthcare social worker, community leader, social service administrator, clinical social worker, and more. Job prospects look promising – social work employment in Illinois should grow 8% through 2032, faster than most other fields. Mental health and substance abuse social workers can expect even better growth at 11%.
Students who choose the online program get the same specialization options as on-campus students. This lets you customize your education to match your career goals while studying remotely.
Accreditation
Quality assurance is essential to professional social work education. The Master of Social Work program at Aurora University meets rigorous standards through its accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This recognition shows that the program goes above and beyond the criteria for educational excellence.
CSWE accreditation shows that Aurora’s MSW program has gone through an extensive peer review process to assess program quality. The Board of Accreditation has verified the program’s compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
The accreditation covers all program delivery methods. Both the traditional on-campus MSW and the online MSW program follow similar quality standards. Students can choose flexible learning options without worrying about educational quality.
Yes, it is worth noting that CSWE is the premier accrediting body for social work education in the United States. They currently oversee 347 accredited master’s programs nationwide. Their vision aims to “ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”.
Students who attend a CSWE-accredited program get these benefits:
- Eligibility to apply for the state licensure exam in Illinois
- Reasonable assurance about program quality and graduate competence
- Recognition that the program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals
- Preparation that arranges with industry standards and employer expectations
States only recognize CSWE-accredited programs as qualified to offer academic preparation for professional social work licensure. Accreditation isn’t just a quality indicator – it’s crucial for career advancement.
CSWE accreditation involves a rigorous peer-review process. Programs must meet comparable outcome requirements while having flexibility based on their context. Aurora University can keep its unique educational philosophy while meeting established professional standards.
The MSW program’s accreditation fits into a broader framework of institutional quality assurance. Aurora University has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The social work programs have managed to keep their CSWE accreditation through the required eight-year reaffirmation cycle.
Choosing Aurora University’s Master of Social Work program means your education meets professional standards. Employers and licensing boards will recognize and respect your degree throughout your career.
Admission Requirements
Aurora University’s Master of Social Work program welcomes candidates through a simple admission process. The program uses a rolling admission policy that lets you submit your application anytime during the year. You’ll receive a quick response about your acceptance status as applications get reviewed throughout the cycle.
The MSW program requires you to meet these key requirements:
- Complete the Graduate Application for Admission
- Submit official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (lower GPAs might receive individual consideration)
- Include a current resume or curriculum vitae showing your work experience, education, and professional activities
- Provide two letters of recommendation from people who know your professional or academic abilities
- Write a personal statement up to 1,500 words that shows graduate-level writing skills
Your personal statement needs to cover why you chose Aurora University’s social work program. You should explain how the program’s mission matches your educational goals and describe your intended practice area after graduation. Students with GPAs below 3.0 must explain their circumstances and describe their plans for graduate school success.
Aurora University makes the application process easier by not requiring GRE scores. This approach helps qualified candidates who might face challenges with standardized tests.
International students need to show English proficiency through test scores (TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL Paper 550, or IELTS 6.5). Every admitted student must pass a background check before starting classes.
The program accepts about 93.5% of applicants, though fewer students actually enroll. These numbers show the program’s welcoming approach while maintaining strong educational standards.
Tuition
Aurora University prioritizes affordable education with MSW program tuition rates that compete well with other similar programs. The MSW tuition for 2025-2026 academic year costs $635 per credit hour. Students will pay approximately $31,920 for the standard 60-credit program. Students in advanced standing need only 30 credits and pay about half this amount.
Aurora University makes tuition payments easier with several options. Students can pay the full amount by each semester’s deadline or choose a convenient 5-month payment plan. Fall semester payments run from August 15 through December 15, while spring semester payments go from January 15 to May 15.
The university helps almost every student with financial support – 98% receive some form of financial aid. Students can get help through:
- Need-based grants and scholarships
- Merit-based awards
- Federal loan programs
- Work-study opportunities
Aurora calculates educational costs by separating direct costs (tuition, fees, on-campus housing) from indirect costs (books, off-campus housing, transportation). This complete approach helps you plan better for your graduate education expenses.
Students with employer tuition benefits can use Aurora’s Deferred Payment Option for a small fee of $10 per credit hour. This lets you wait to pay until you receive your employer reimbursement.
The university saves students money by using open educational resources in some courses instead of requiring additional textbook purchases.
Aurora’s financial aid team creates individual financial plans with each student. This personal attention shows the university’s dedication to keeping education available while delivering excellent education quality.
Aurora University proves its commitment to graduate social work education through its thoughtful tuition structure and strong financial support systems. These remove financial barriers that might stop qualified candidates from pursuing their education goals.
Additional Information
Aurora University’s MSW program opens doors to valuable alumni resources. The George Williams School of Social Work’s alumni page provides significant information about social work licensure, continuing education, and career advancement. \
The school guides students through Illinois licensure requirements and application processes to help with licensing preparation. Graduates become part of AU/GWC’s strong alumni network, which includes more than 35,000 professionals.
MSW graduates have many job opportunities available. The school’s job board lists positions like Behavioral Health Therapist, Mental Health Therapist, Program Coordinator, and School Social Worker. Social work careers are expected to grow by 6% between 2024 and 2034.
Alumni and field instructors can attend continuing education events at the university. To name just one example, see upcoming workshops like “Cultural Competence in a Politically Charged Climate” and “Researching Ethics in Social Work”. These workshops help fulfill Illinois requirements for ethics, cultural competency, and implicit bias continuing education credits.
Career Services supports students with resume preparation, interview skills, and job search strategies throughout their program. This detailed support will give a graduate the tools needed to excel professionally in social work.