Bachelor of Social Work
Governors State’s Bachelor of Social Work is grounded in a social justice ethic scrupulously attentive to social and economic disparities encompassing planned interventions with people at multiple levels (individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities) through engaged, inclusive, culturally appropriate practice methods at all levels to affect systemic social and economic change and “just” outcomes for people at greatest risk.
A belief in the capacity of people to grow and change, and to make positive decisions on their own and others behalf, as well as an appreciation of the value of human capacities and diversity is emphasized.
The Bachelor of Social Work Program reflects a richly diverse student population with age, race/ethnicity, gender, community identification, and socio-economic status. A large majority of our students are working as well as managing the demands of family. We work with students to develop a Plan of Study that maps out the completion of academic requirements, but that also considers the context of their lives.
Our program emphasizes experiential and service learning, advocacy, self-care, professional development, and leadership, as well as providing collaborative learning opportunities between community practitioners/constituents and students. These opportunities take the form of guest speakers, forums, symposiums, visits to communities, events, and more.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Job Opportunity Potential at Governors State University (GSU)
Chicago Proximity – Located near Chicago, a major hub for business, technology, healthcare, and logistics.
STEM & Business Careers – Strong demand for graduates in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Business (MBA, Accounting, Finance).
Healthcare Pathways – GSU is well-known for Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Administration, with excellent placement in hospitals and clinics.
Internships & Co-ops – Access to internships with Fortune 500 companies and Chicago-based firms in finance, consulting, tech, and manufacturing.
OPT & STEM OPT – Eligible programs provide up to 3 years of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.
Teaching & Counseling – Education, Social Work, and Counseling programs prepare students for careers in schools, universities, and community organizations.
Government & Non-profit Careers – Public Administration and Leadership graduates often find roles in policy, community development, and NGOs.
Entrepreneurship Support – GSU’s Small Business Development Center helps students start and grow businesses.
Networking – Strong alumni network and career fairs connect students with employers in Illinois and nationwide.
On-Campus Jobs – Opportunities to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Official high school transcripts.
Minimum unweighted high school GPA ~ 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
ACT or SAT are optional; only taken if you want them considered.
If you studied in a non-English speaking country, you need credential evaluation by a NACES-member agency.
English / IELTS & Other Language Proficiency Requirements
- If your previous education was in a country where English is not the foundational language, you must show English proficiency using one of these: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or equivalent test.
- Minimum IELTS (Academic) score generally required is 6.0 for both undergrad and graduate admissions.
- For TOEFL, minimum overall score for graduate applicants is 80 (internet-based).
- For undergraduates, a lower TOEFL minimum is possible (e.g. 68 IBT) or similar, depending on program.
- If you don’t meet the required English test scores, GSU offers an Intensive ESL Program as conditional admission / to improve your English before you start academic classes.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
89520 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 25 USD
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