Social Work: Online Bilingual Program (MSW)
The mission of the Master of Social Work program of Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work is to prepare students for leadership and service to others as professional social workers and as actively engaged scholars of social work practice.
- The entire program can be completed in 8 consecutive semesters (3 years).
- All courses are online and include synchronous (real-time) courses and have asynchronous content.
- Required supervised internship that can be completed in your own community.
Related Programs
Curriculum
The Online Bilingual Master’s in social work degree is a three-year program offering advanced practice training. The program was designed to address the unmet service needs for health, behavioral health, and mental services for the Latinx/e community. The curriculum was adapted to prepare students to have the relevant linguistic, cultural, and migration focused knowledge and skills.
The course content and training will enable you to sit for the licensure exam in your respective state. The MSW program curriculum requires 49 credit hours of coursework, equivalent to 8 consecutive semesters, including summer terms.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Generalist MSW Courses | ||
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice 1 | 3 |
| or SOWK 504 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice | |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Specialized Courses | ||
| Courses Required of All Students | ||
| SOWK 621 | Clinical Practice in Addiction | 3 |
| SOWK 632 / SOWK 616 | Clinical Social Work with Older Adults 2 | 3 |
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo and Micro Practice 1 | 3 |
| or SOWK 681 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Micro Practice Specialization | ||
| Migration Studies Track | ||
| SOWK 730 | Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy | 3 |
| SOWK 731 | Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants | 3 |
| SOWK 732 | Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights | 3 |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
- 1
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
- 2
Students who matriculated before Fall 2024 should take SOWK 632. Students who matriculated Fall 2024 or after should take SOWK 616.
Internships
Students complete two required internships (generalist and specialized). The internship timeline for the Online Bilingual MSW Program for both internships is Fall- Spring.
- The generalist internship requires students complete a total of 400 hours over the course of two consecutive semesters, requiring approximately 12-15 hours per week. The generalist internship provides students with the opportunity to explore broad social work practice activities with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Appropriate tasks include (but not limited to): learning and practicing documentation, providing case management services and supports, conducting community outreach, co-facilitating groups/ workshops, etc. Students are not expected to provide clinical therapy in the generalist internship.
- The specialized internship offers students the opportunity to practice advanced clinical skills, including providing individual and group therapy services. Students are required to complete a total of 600 hours over the course of two consecutive semesters, requiring approximately 20-24 hours per week. Of the 600 hours, 50-70% of the hours should be focused on clinical work and in direct service to clients.
- Students work with Latinx/ Migrant populations during internships.
- Students are required to be supervised during internships by a professional that has an MSW with two years post masters experience or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Students should receive weekly supervision from the site supervisor.
- Internship schedules are determined together by the student and site and should be discussed during the interview process. Start dates, end dates, and number of hours worked per week should be discussed. Students should determine with the site a consistent schedule for the internship.
For additional information related to internship policies and requirements, please review the School of Social Work's Internship Manual available to view here: https://www.luc.edu/socialwork/student-support/internship/
Specialization & Track
This degree program is only compatible with the Micro Practice Specialization with Migration Studies Track.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| SOWK 500 | Life Span Development, Human Behavior, Trauma, & Theory | 3 |
| SOWK 502 | Power, Oppression, Privilege, and Social Justice | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 501 | Assessment of Client Concerns in Context | 3 |
| SOWK 503 | Practice Skills with Individuals and Families | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 504 / SOWK 508 | Integrated Micro/Mezzo/Macro Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | Group Work Practice in Social Work: Micro/Mezzo/Macro | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 506 | Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 509 | Social Work Policy and Community Intervention | 3 |
| SWII 530 | Internship I & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 680 | Advanced Micro-Level Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 681 / SOWK 682 | Advanced Mezzo & Macro Practice | 3 |
| SWII 531 | Internship II & Simulated Experience | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOWK 731 | Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 730 | Immigration Dynamics and U.S. Social Policy | 3 |
| SOWK 732 | Migration, Social Justice, and Human Rights | 3 |
| SWII 632 | Internship Instruction III & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 621 | Clinical Practice in Addiction | 3 |
| SOWK 632 / SOWK 616 | Clinical Social Work with Older Adults | 3 |
| SWII 633 | Internship Instruction IV & Simulated Experiences | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
- 1
Students who matriculated before Fall 2025 should take SOWK 504 and SOWK 681. Student who matriculated in Fall 2025 or after should take SOWK 508 and SOWK 682.
- 2
Students who matriculated before Fall 2024 should take SOWK 632. Students who matriculated Fall 2024 or after should take SOWK 616.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Through the application of the 9 competencies required by the Council of Social Work Education, upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice, including promoting social and economic justice.
- Engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.