Social Work Degree

The social work program at Oakton Community College prepares students for careers as an adolescent specialist, child and family social worker, healthcare social worker, mental health and substance abuse social worker, and more. The program focuses on social welfare administration and counseling, as well as studying organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. Program courses include: social welfare policy, case work planning, social counseling and intervention strategies, and administrative procedures and regulations. Get more details below including other Illinois colleges that offer social work degrees.

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Oakton Community College

5500 N Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, IL

Oakton Community College is a two-year post-secondary school with two convenient locations for students living in the Chicago, area: the main campus is located about 20 miles northwest of Chicago in Des Plaines, and the newer, Ray Hartstein Campus is about 15 miles north of Chicago in Skokie. As community colleges go, Oakton is rather large, with an enrollment of almost 11,000. Despite its size, administration is focused on fostering a personal, intimate environment; most classes top out at around 14-15 students. Oakton’s main campus offers a surprisingly sophisticated variety of programs in the fields of art, science, and business, to name just a few.  Associate and certificate programs are available in nearly 80 areas of study.

At OCC, cultural enrichment abounds. Students can visit the campus museum to view the works of high-profile artists based in Chicago. The performing arts center and writer’s series are also a source of school pride. Oakton’s extracurricular clubs cater to a broad variety of tastes, affording students opportunities to make friends and share personal interests in their free time. In response to a culture that is more aware of health and fitness, the college has launched Student Health 101, an online interactive health journal, where students can log on and ask health-related questions.

Oakland’s tuition rates are competitive, coming in thousands of dollars below average U.S. college and university tuition rates, and financial aid is available to qualified students. Individuals wishing to apply for admission should contact the admissions office for details. With its broad range of certification and degree programs, personalized instruction, and reasonable tuition rates, Oakton Community College is an educational value for today’s students.

Students Enrolled in the Social Work Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Oakton Community College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Social and Community Service Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, social and community service managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 9.5% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $32.13
  • Average Annual Salary: $66830
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 210
  • Average Hourly Rate: $25.39
  • Average Annual Salary: $52810
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 280
  • Average Hourly Rate: $28.95
  • Average Annual Salary: $60210

Marriage and Family Therapists

Description

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, marriage and family therapists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 14.8% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 160
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 30
  • Average Hourly Rate: $23.90
  • Average Annual Salary: $49710
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 50
  • Average Hourly Rate: $23.55
  • Average Annual Salary: $48990

Counselors, All Other

Description

All counselors not listed separately.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, counselors, all other employment is expected to grow at a rate of 11.0% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 740
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.84
  • Average Annual Salary: $37110
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 140
  • Average Hourly Rate: $20.30
  • Average Annual Salary: $42220

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Description

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, child, family, and school social workers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 7
  • Average Hourly Rate: $27.31
  • Average Annual Salary: $56800
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 510
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.90
  • Average Annual Salary: $41390
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 670
  • Average Hourly Rate: $29.17
  • Average Annual Salary: $60680

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).