Erikson Institute MSW

The Erikson Institute, a 57-year old premier graduate school, specializes in early childhood development, education, and social work. The school started as the Chicago Institute for Early Childhood Education in 1966. Three years later, it changed its name to honor Erik H. Erikson, a prominent psychoanalyst. His work on psychosocial development and the importance of mutuality in helping relationships matched the school’s founding principles perfectly.

Students at Erikson enjoy a unique learning experience with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. This creates a close-knit environment where faculty members give each student personal attention. The professors, who are both scholars and champions for children and families, build strong relationships with their students. These connections help create a rich learning experience.

The year 2014 marked a milestone when Erikson launched a groundbreaking Master of Social Work program. This program stands out because it combines child development principles with social work education. Most MSW programs only offer a few separate classes about working with children and families. Erikson’s approach weaves child development throughout the entire curriculum. This gives graduates the skills to help people of all ages by understanding how early experiences shape their entire lives.

The numbers speak for themselves. Master’s degree graduates achieve a 96.7% employment rate. Students complete more than 49,000 hours of field service each year, which shows their strong commitment to hands-on experience.

Money shouldn’t stop anyone from getting an education at Erikson. The school gives out over $2 million in scholarships and grants yearly. These financial awards continue throughout a student’s program, making it easier for future social workers to afford their education.

The Higher Learning Commission and the Council on Social Work Education have confirmed Erikson’s academic excellence through accreditation. This ensures the MSW program meets high standards while keeping its unique focus on child development.

Since its first nine MSW graduates in 2016, Erikson Institute continues its mission. The school educates and inspires leaders who help children and families reach their best educational, social, emotional, and physical potential.

Programs offered

The Erikson Institute Master of Social Work program stands out by weaving child development knowledge throughout its curriculum. Graduates can help people of all backgrounds through a developmental lens.

The MSW program offers two specialized paths that match your career goals:

1. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health – This path teaches you to nurture the mental, emotional, and physical growth of children from birth to age 5 and their families. You’ll learn specialized skills in early intervention and developmental assessment that are vital when working with young, vulnerable children.
2. Clinical Practice with Children, Adolescents & Adults – You’ll learn evidence-based and developmentally appropriate ways to help people of all ages. This path prepares you for roles in clinical practice, mental health, support, adoption, family care, child welfare, healthcare, early intervention, and education.

Erikson knows you need to balance your growth with life’s responsibilities. The program gives you amazing flexibility:

• Format Options: Pick either a hybrid program (mix of in-person and online) or study entirely online
• Schedule Flexibility: Learn at your own pace – part-time or full-time
• Program Duration: Complete your degree in 2 years or take a more relaxed 3-year path

Students with previous social work education can take advantage of Erikson’s Advanced Standing option to get their MSW degree faster:

• Skip up to 21 credit hours with a Bachelor of Social Work degree
• Choose between a 20-month program or a faster 12-month Accelerated option

Hands-on experience is essential to Erikson’s MSW curriculum. Your required fieldwork lets you learn directly in carefully chosen placement locations. This real-life training helps you build advanced clinical skills with professional guidance.

The program’s unique focus on developmental views and reflective practice helps you become a stronger voice for children and families. You’ll work together with nationally recognized faculty, build a valuable network, and learn from industry leaders.

The program appeals to career-changers, recent psychology graduates, and working professionals who want flexible graduate education. Students share a commitment to social justice, community work, and thoughtful practice.

About the online program

Erikson’s online MSW program gives working professionals unique flexibility to advance their careers without disrupting their lives. You can complete your degree from anywhere since this fully accredited program runs entirely online.

The program structure creates a perfect balance between independent work and live learning. Each course blends two approaches that go together with one another to maximize flexibility and student engagement. You’ll spend about half your time on asynchronous learning – watching recorded lectures, reading materials, viewing videos, and participating in discussion boards whenever it fits your schedule. Live interactive classes complement this self-paced work with 1.5-hour weekly sessions. These sessions let you explore concepts through small-group discussions, case studies, and hands-on practice.

The program offers several timeline options based on your schedule:

• Full-time options completing in 20 months
• Part-time paths extending 28-40 months
• Advanced Standing accelerated 12-month option (for BSW holders)

The online MSW program builds strong community connections, not just convenience. You’ll study with a supportive online cohort and develop a weekly rhythm that creates networking opportunities and camaraderie. The program also provides complete technical support and academic advising whenever you need it.

BSW graduates can benefit greatly from the Advanced Standing option. Students who qualify can waive up to 21 credit hours, which cuts down time and tuition costs by a lot. Qualifying requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and 75% proficiency on generalist competencies with 400+ clock hours of practicum experience.

The online Children, Adolescents, and Adults concentration teaches evidence-based interventions that work across all age groups. It’s worth mentioning that the program focuses on how early experiences shape lifelong development. This developmental view sets Erikson graduates apart and makes them valuable assets in social work settings of all types.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Erikson’s online MSW program. This ensures the program meets professional standards and LCSW licensure requirements.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in graduate programs relies heavily on accreditation. The Erikson Institute MSW program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This achievement matters a lot in the field.

The CSWE started in 1952 and has spent over seven decades making sure social work education meets high standards across the country. No other organization has the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s recognition to accredit social work education in the United States. CSWE-accredited programs go through detailed evaluation to prove they can prepare skilled social work professionals.

Erikson Institute’s credentials go even further. The Higher Learning Commission, a respected accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, has also accredited the institute. This approval covers master’s degrees and certificates in child development, early childhood education, and the Master of Social Work program.

Students and graduates benefit from this dual accreditation status. Employers and licensing boards value degrees from accredited schools, which helps graduates compete better in the job market. Credit transfers become easier if you decide to study more after your MSW. The accreditation also opens doors to federal financial aid and employer tuition reimbursement programs.

Erikson Institute shows a steadfast dedication to excellence. Accreditation isn’t just a one-time approval – it requires ongoing improvement cycles with regular detailed reviews. The institution must provide extensive documentation and welcome peer reviewers who examine everything about the program’s quality.

Erikson’s continued success with these prestigious accreditations shows students get education that meets social work’s highest professional standards. Recognition from both CSWE and the Higher Learning Commission makes Erikson Institute one of the best graduate schools for Master’s in Social Work education, especially when you have interest in combining child development with clinical social work practice.

Admission Requirements

Getting ready for the Erikson Institute MSW program means you need to pay close attention to several admission requirements. The program looks at both your academic background and how dedicated you are to helping children and families.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with at least a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work. A master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA also works.

Your application needs to include these items:

• A current resume that shows your relevant professional experience
• Two professional or academic letters of recommendation
• Official or unofficial transcripts from your bachelor’s degree and any extra coursework
• Two essays: one about the program and one about leadership
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable) from the last two years

You can start with unofficial transcripts, but you’ll need to submit official ones by the end of your first semester at Erikson.

BSW graduates might qualify for Advanced Standing, which can speed up their degree completion. Here’s what you need:

• A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last ten years
• A 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
• A recommendation letter from your BSW field instructor
• A field evaluation showing at least 75% proficiency (3 out of 4)
• At least 400 field hours

Meeting these requirements could help you waive up to 21 credit hours after we review your transcript.

Erikson’s selection process takes an integrated look at each candidate. While GPA matters, the institute wants students who show real curiosity and dedication to helping children. Faculty members review each application to check both academic readiness and fit for the field.

The institute welcomes everyone, no matter their financial situation, citizenship, or immigration status. DACA recipients are part of Erikson’s alumni community, and the institute fully supports the DACA policy.

Most programs review applications as they come in and send decisions once applications are complete. Child Life and some other concentrations have their own priority deadlines and might need interviews.

Tuition

Students pursuing an MSW at Erikson Institute have multiple financing options that make the degree more available and manageable. The Master of Social Work program’s tuition rate stands at $1,030 per credit hour for the 2025-26 academic year. Students typically need 36 credits to complete the program, bringing the total tuition cost to $37,080. Each student also pays $600 in annual service fees that cover library, technology, and activity expenses.

Erikson Institute’s commitment to student support is evident in its annual distribution of over $2 million in scholarships and aid. The institute helps more than 90% of its students through scholarships, grants, or fellowships. MSW students can benefit from the Midwest Community Builders Grant, which provides substantial support between $15,000 and $25,000. BSW degree holders receive $15,000, while traditional MSW students can qualify for up to $25,000.

Students can stack these grants with other financial aid opportunities. The Midwest Community Builders Grant works alongside Erikson’s Leadership and Affordability scholarships, potentially reducing program costs by an additional 45%. Leadership Scholarships reward academic achievement and leadership potential. These merit-based awards are available to both domestic and international students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Federal Direct Loan programs provide additional financing through Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans. Graduate students can borrow up to $138,500 in federal Stafford loans, with yearly limits of $20,500 per financial aid award.

Students can opt for payment plans at $25 per semester if they:

• Choose not to take out student loans
• Receive employer reimbursement at term end
• Have loans that don’t fully cover tuition costs

The priority deadline for maximum Erikson scholarships and federal funding consideration is March 15. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by this date. Remember to use Erikson’s FAFSA code: G35103.

Additional Information

The Erikson Institute MSW program offers a strong support network to help you excel in your academic and personal life. You’ll find yourself part of a close-knit community that provides individual support based on your specific needs.

Students can boost their academic performance through the Academic Success Center’s help with reading and writing. The Director of Disability Services works closely with students who need accommodations. This individual-specific approach will give every student the opportunity to learn effectively.

The WorkLifeMatters program makes mental health support available with unlimited phone consultations and eight free in-person sessions. This support becomes particularly helpful during challenging practicum periods.

Getting to campus is easier with reduced-rate parking available in three nearby garages. The CTA U-Pass program offers discounted public transportation. These options make your daily commute more budget-friendly.

Your MSW degree opens doors to many career paths. You could become a trauma-informed crisis counselor, family therapist, social service administrator, research associate, policy supporter, mental health consultant, or child welfare supervisor. Social work salaries have increased significantly. Recent graduates earn between $55,000 and $70,000 yearly, varying by location and workplace.