Department of Social Work

Our Department aims to train professionals who will be able to work in the field of social work and respond the needs of our society. To provide the best education possible we cap the number of incoming students at 100. With a full time faculty of 18 members we are able to provide small class sizes based on the following principles:

1.Seminar classes from for all students for all 4 years.
2.Guidance concerning the national social work exam, mental health worker exam, and caregiver exam.
3.A curriculum that prepares students to become certified.
4.Practical experience at real institutions.
5.A required research component.

These principles are supported by a strong basis in research methods and careful guidance by faculty. Our Department provides a friendly learning environment where students and faculty are able to work in close contact with each other. This is based on the understanding that high academic standards go hand in hand with personal development. I hope you will join us and enjoy the challenge of finding ways to support our society as is progresses further into the 21^st century.

NIU offers seminar classes during each year of study as a chance for students to research topics that appeal to them. Students also develop through a wealth of learning that balances the best of both theory and practice. The result is that students gain a knowledge base and skill set that positions them to become leaders in the field of social work.

Offering study sessions is a special characteristic of our Department with each seminar offering their own particular study session. Whether it's early in the morning or after classes end in the afternoon you're sure to find students bustling around campus who are working on their own projects or going over what was covered in previous classes. In this way, students are able to progress in their learning from opening day to graduation day.

In our Department, the entire faculty coordinate their efforts to support students who are taking the various national certification exams. Special courses have been designed to prepare students, and faculty are available to offer individualized help. For students interested in caregiving, our caregiving course, with its specially outfitted classroom, is designed to meet the needs of students who are seeking to become certified professional caregivers in the future.