What is the School of SW's teaching focus?
Do you offer International or study abroad experiences?
What does it mean to be part of a cohort?
Is the Internship required as part of the MSW?
When are classes offered and when do classes start?
What opportunities are there to get involved outside of the classroom?
How do I register for classes?
Who is my advisor?
How will I know what classes to take each semester to complete the program?
1. What is the School of SW's teaching focus?
Loyola's clinical social work focus prepares students to focus in areas where knowledge and skill in direct service are essential, including mental health, school social work, medical social work, child welfare, elderly services, substance abuse, employee assistance, and counseling individuals, families and small groups. The concentration in leadership and program management prepares graduates for program and resource management of direct service programs.
2. Do you offer International or study abroad experiences?
Yes, we offer unique study abroad opportunities for students and alumni in Rome, Italy and Beijing, China. These are wonderful opporunities to earn graduate credit or CEU's during the summer months. Course offerings are determined on an annual basis. We also offer a 10 week field placement in Chiapas, Mexico where students work with families and community members in a rural village. For more information click here.
3. What does it mean to be part of a cohort?
In the Loyola MSW Program at Carthage, students are admitted into a cohort. This means that a group of students begin the graduate program together and will remain together as a group throughout their graduate program. The cohort model offers a nice opportunity for students to interact and form a community of learners.
4. Is the internship required as part of the MSW?
Yes, the School of Social Work follows the regulations on the Council of Social Work Education,
which requires 2 field internships as part of the MSW. Therefore, all students complete 2 field
internships as part of direct social work practice as part of the program. The first year internship
is 500 hours and the second year internship is 720 hours. These field internships are incorporated into your program with the help of our field internship coordinator and academic advisor.
5. When are classes offered and when do classes start?
Classes are offered on Saturday's at Loyola's MSW Program at Carthage. Student's may choose their courses based on their schedules. The classes for the traditional program and advanced standing program routinely start every June. If you have an interest in beginning your program
prior to this time, please contact Craig Perri, Assistant Director for the MSW Program at
6. What opportunities are there to get involved outside of the classroom?
The School of Social Work offers many opportunities for students to be involved outside of the
classroom. For those interested in participating in research opportunities, we have three
institutes where opportunities continuously arise for MSW students. We have a student
organization called SSWSO, a student only publication called Praxis and a Multicultural Association Affairs Committee with Social Work.
7. How do I register for classes?
Loyola's utilizes the LOCUS system for all course registration. For new incoming students, we
offer an orientation session where students will be able to learn about the LOCUS system and
register with the assistance of the academic advisor. Students who are already in the program,
register for classes through the LOCUS system at the end of the prior semester.
8. Who is my advisor?
9. How will I know what classes to take each semester to complete the program?
The program plan will be reviewed with you in the first orientation meeting for incoming
students. It identifies courses students are required to take for each area of specialization. Students will be able to refer to the program plan throughout their graduate program.
What are the minimum requirements for admission to the MSW Program?
Is a 3.0 G.P.A. required?
Will I be interviewed?
Are there any courses I need to take before enrolling?
May I apply if my undergraduate degree is not in social work, psychology, or human services?
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my application?
What are some tips on writing the statement of purpose?
Do I have to take the GRE?
What should I know about submitting my transcripts?
Are transcripts required for international applicants?
What kind of letter of recommendations are required?
Do I have to send the application all at once?
What is the application deadline?
How will I know if I need to take a statistics course?
1. What are the minimum requirements for admission to the MSW Program?
An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, strong academic performance, work/volunteer experience in human services, commitment to advocacy, interest, interest in connection to others and self-awareness.
2. Is a 3.0 G.P.A. required?
The recommended G.P.A. to our master's program is a 3.0. It is a 3.25 for our advanced
standing applicants. While applicants with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged
to apply, a solid undergraduate performance between 3.0 and 4.0 is usually a good predictor
to do graduate work. We do look at each candidate as a composite of their academic
experiences, professional development, references, commitment to service and ability to express themselves.
We are most interested in applicants who indicate a strong commitment to the field, a history of volunteer and/or relevant work experience and the ability to communicate and write on a
graduate level. If you are concerned about your G.P.A, you may submit an academic
explanation essay that addresses reasons for your concerns and your plans for performing at
a higher level in the future. This statement should be no more than 1-2 paragraphs long.
3. Will I be interviewed?
No, interviews are not standard. Students are welcomed, however, in order to set up an
individual meeting or attend a class visit, information session or open house please see visit us for details.
4. Are there any courses I need to take befoe enrolling?
All students need to have completed a statistics course within four years with a grade of C or
better. This requirement is not a prerequisite for admission, but rather a requirement for beginning the research sequence of classes, which typically begin the second semester of study's. Students who've not met this requirement, will need to take a statistics course prior to beginning classes, or during the first semester of studies. Note the School of Social Work offers an online statistics course that meets this requirement.
5. May I apply if my undergraduate degree is not in social work, psychology, or human services?
Certainly, applicants from a host of academic and professional backgrounds are interested in
pursuing an M.S.W. This contributes to a diverse and stimulating mix in our student body.
7. What are some tips on writing the statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose is a very important part of the application. Critical thinking skills and
commitment to the field should be evident in your responses. Follow all instructions and answer all three questions included in the online application. Make sure you use spell check your statement as we are looking at writing style and ability during our review process.
8. Do I have to take the GRE?
No, we do not accept the GRE as part of the M.S.W. If you see a place to indicate you have
taken the GRE on the online application form simply leave it blank for our department. If you are
interested in a dual degree program, however, you should check with that department to learn about their test-taking requirements.
9. What should I know about submitting my transcripts?
Transcripts are required for any credit-bearing, post secondary course in which you've been
enrolled. As already stated, it is considered academic fraud to fail to include these in your
Transcripts can be mailed directly to the Graduate Enrollment Office at 820 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611, or you can have them mailed to you, providing they are sealed, and send
them in all at once. You are also able to drop them off if that makes you more comfortable.
10. Are transcripts required for international applicants?
International applicants are required to send in transcripts to be considered applicants for
our graduate programs. It is okay if your transcripts are in another language. You are also
required to have a course-by-course evaluation of your courses completed at www,ece.org. This will verify if the degree earned is eqivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree. Without the official verification, you may not be admitted into the program. This process will both verify your degree and and translate your scores into U.S. GPA, which is a factor in the admissions decision.
11. What kind of letters of recommendations are required?
It is recommended that you obtain one volunteer, one professional and one academic
reference. That being said, we invite diverse groups of applicants to apply and recognize that
older applicants, as well as others for various reasons, may not have access to all three of these. If that is the case, then you may choose to use another combination of the three suggestedreference types, but be sure to have those people speak to your strengths in the other areas defined as well. Letters from ministers, priests, rabbis are accepted only if you have volunteered or worked in some capacity for your place of worship. Letters from parents, spouses and therapists are not accepted.
Just as with transcripts, letters of reference can be sent in separately or together, as long as they are sealed upon arrival to the School. Letters of recommendation can be submitted via the online application form, sent directly by recommenders to email@example.com, or sent via snail mail.
Note: Sending additional letters of recommendation does not strength an application.
12. Do I have to send the application all at once?
No, in fact, many applicants, opt to send their materials "piece-meal" which is acceptable. Note,
however, that the application will not be reviewed until the graduate enrollment office has received every piece of the enrollment material.
13. What is the application deadline?
Loyola's School of Social Work accepts MSW applications all year around. The Water Tower program in Chicago admits students for Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters. Loyola's MSW at Carthage has entry for the Summer Semester only. Though there are no application deadlines, early application is encouraged.
14. How will I know if I need to take a statistics course?
After submitting your completed application, the faculty will review it and determine if you will
be required to complete a statistics course. Students will receive a letter from the admissions
office within the School of Social Work with regards to the statistic requirement. For information
on the online statistics course offered through Loyola's MSW Program at Carthage please
What is the tuition for the school of social work graduate degree programs?
Does the SSW offer graduate assistantship opportunities?
How can I access federal and state aid?
How many classes must I take to be eligible for governmental financial aid?What is the timeline and deadline for completing the FAFSA?
How can I contact the financial aid department?
1. What is the tuition for the school of social work graduate degree programs?
2. Does the SSW offer graduate assistantship opportunities?
The School of Social Work does offer a limited number of scholarships and graduate assistant
opportunities. These competitive gifts, based on work and volunteer experiences in the profession, academic merit, and promise in the field, are awarded to incoming students upon admission. All students who selected on their initial application an interest in merit-based awards will be considered. The application for the MSW program also serves as the application for these awards; no additional documentation needs to be submitted for consideration.
3. How can I access federal and state aid?
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Loyolas Title IV School
Code is 001710 or you can list our address: Loyola University Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan Road.,
Chicago, IL. There is no fee to file the FAFSA. FAFSA online application
4. How many classes must I take to be eligible for governmental financial aid?
A student must be enrolled in at least 4 credit hours (or two classes) per semester to
be eligible to receive financial aid.
5. What is the timeline and deadline for completing the FAFSA?
The FAFSA form is annual and year-specific, so it must be submitted for each academic year that you would like to be considered for federal aid. (An academic year at Loyola begins with the fall term and continues through the end of the following summer term.) The FAFSA cannot be filed prior to January1 each year. Therefore, if you want to be considered for federal aid beginning in the Fall 2009 you should file the 2009-2010 FAFSA as early as January 1, 2009. We recommend that you file your FAFSA by March 1st each year.
6. How can I contact the financial aid department?
Where can I find information about the field internship process?
When can I start my field internship?
Is there paperowrk required for the internship process?
How many hours do I need to complete for the field internships?
1. Where can I find information about the field internship process?
On this website is a tab for Fieldwork. Click on it to get more detailed information.
2. When can I start my field internship?
The Field Manual provides detailed information also. Students begin their field work internship soon after they start in the Loyola MSW Program at Carthage. Students will learn more about the field internships during orientations that are held prior to students starting in the program. The Internship Coordinator is available to work with students to assist with field internships. There are a variety of field internships available to students in a variety of social work areas.
3. Is there paperwork required for the internship process?
Yes, students complete an application for field in which they indicate their interests. Once students are enrolled in an internship, there are evaluations that are completed by supervisors, learning agreements and process recordings. These are explained in more detail in the field manual.
4. How many hours do I need to complete for the field internships?
Students enrolled as traditional students complete 500 hours for their first year field internship.