The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW program offers courses on the Urbana campus and off campus through its MSW Outreach program.

The master's degree provides specialized study for advanced social work practice. Students take foundation and advanced courses in social work practice methods with individuals, families and organization, in policy and services, in research, and in human behavior and the social environment. A two-semester field placement/internship (minimum 900 hours) in a social service agency is required. A total of 64-72 hours of graduate coursework is required for the M.S.W. degree. The determination of the number of hours needed within the range is determined on a case-by-case basis after considering each student’s prior coursework and experience. The curriculum may be completed in 16 to 24 months of full-time study.

MSW students choose from one of these two concentrations:

In the Advanced Clinical Practice concentration, students prepare for clinical practice with individuals, families and groups, and in one of the focus areas. These students' Methods coursework has a clinical focus.

Students in the Leadership & Social Change (LSC) concentration prepare for advanced macro practice which focuses on work with communities and organizations rather than work with individuals and families. In the LSC concentration students are prepared to work in either leadership/administration or advocacy/policy. Methods coursework for this concentration has a Macro focus.