Aurora University School of Social Work

Aurora University, located 40 miles west of Chicago, serves a student body of approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. AU also operates campuses at the Woodstock Center in Woodstock, Illinois, and George William College in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Established in 1893 as Mendota Seminary, the school ended its affiliation with the Adventist Christian Church and renamed itself Aurora University in 1985. Nursing, business, social work, and youth services rank as the most popular disciplines among its 40 on-campus and online programs. Students can select from 10 online degrees, including a bachelor of social work (BSW), master of social work (MSW), and dual MSW with a master of business administration (MBA) or master of public administration (MPA).

Featured Programs in Social Work

Aurora University School of Social Work

The School of Social Work promotes leadership and professional practice. The BSW degree-completion program prepares students for entry-level social work positions and advanced standing in the MSW. The online MSW allows students to select one of five specializations: faith-based social work, forensics, healthcare, leadership, or school social work. Students who opt for the dual MSW program combine clinical social work studies with advanced business or public administration coursework.

Aurora University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The School of Social Work’s programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Online Social Work Programs

Aurora’s BSW and MSW programs feature entirely online courses except for field experience requirements, which students must complete at sites arranged through the School of Social Work. The adult degree-completion BSW degree requires 120 credits with at least 48 credits taken through Aurora University. Students can complete the requirements for the BSW in 2-4 years, depending on whether they receive advanced standing.

The online MSW requires 60 credits and takes approximately three years to complete. The dual MSW/MBA and dual MSW/MPA require students to take 96 credits, including 33 credits of graduate-level courses in either business administration or public administration. Students can complete the dual master’s degrees in approximately five years.

On-Campus Social Work Programs

Aurora University offers several social work degrees in a traditional, campus-based format requiring the same number of credits as their online counterparts. Programs feature evening classes and full- and part-time schedules.

Students can complete the on-campus BSW degree at the main campus in Aurora or at the Woodstock Center, choosing from specializations in child welfare and addictions. Students enrolled in the on-campus MSW can pursue specializations in addictions, leadership, child welfare, gerontology, forensics, school social work, or faith-based social work.

Aurora University Online Social Work Programs