Graduate
Master of Social Work
In recognition of the time and geographic constraints of many students who seek professional social work education, the Indiana University School of Social Work offers programs of study leading to the 60-credit-hour MSW degree. The Indianapolis campus offers a two-year full-time program, a three-year part-time program, and Advanced Standing Program options. (The Advanced Standing Program is designed for students with a strong academic record who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work [BSW] degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Advanced Standing program is 30 credit hours.
The general goal of the programs is preparation for advanced social work practice. In addition to generalist knowledge and skills, the programs provide an opportunity to develop special competence in children, youth, and families, as well as school social work, behavioral health, health, community and organizational leadership, and special practice areas in social work. Educational resources for students in the program include a substantial library, state-of-the-art technology, student computer learning modules, and diversified field instruction settings throughout the state.
International Students/International Degrees
Applicants who are not citizens of the United States should apply as early as possible, preceding the fall when they wish to enter. They must fill out the international and Indiana University School of Social Work applications by the posted deadlines. They also must provide proof of their ability to pay fees and support themselves adequately during their study and, through examinations designated by the school, must demonstrate an ability to comprehend, write, and speak English at an acceptable level.
International students or any person holding a degree obtained outside of the United States should request an international application from the following address:
International Affairs IU
902 W. New York Street, ES2126
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 274-7000
E-mail: oia@iu.edu
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other accredited MSW programs may be accepted into the MSW program. Master of Social Work students interested in transferring to Indiana University must complete an application for admission to the program. In addition, transfer students must submit a letter of good standing from their previous MSW program. A student who wants credits transferred from their last MSW program must submit a syllabus for each class for which they seek credits. If accepted, the MSW program director will review the student's transcript and course syllabi to determine which credits earned in another accredited social work program will transfer to Indiana University. However, the transfer student must complete all required courses in their chosen Focus Area Curriculum.
Admission
Admission Requirements
Professional social work education requires students at the master’s level to undertake a rigorous program of classroom and practice work. The Indiana University School of Social Work seeks to admit individuals who have demonstrated competency through previous academic work, professional achievements, and volunteer commitments. The application should demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and service to others.
Admission information for all of the MSW programs may be obtained from the following:
Master of Social Work
Indiana University School of Social Work
Education/Social Work Bldg, 4134
902 W. New York St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 278-6085
Website: click here
Email: Mo Cambridge - mtcambri@iu.edu
Enrollment in the MSW program requires official admission to the Indiana University School of Social Work and the Indiana University Graduate School. The following items are the minimum requirements for consideration for admission:
- Evidence of an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- An undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective as demonstrated by the successful completion of a minimum of six courses in social or behavioral sciences. Courses from the following disciplines are accepted: social work, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, human services, political science, government, criminal justice, and/or languages.
i. Note: Other social or behavioral sciences courses outside of the listed disciplines may be accepted. - An undergraduate record that reflects successful completion of a college-level math course or equivalent.
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing, as reflected in the application questions and required writing sample and statement.
- Evidence of personal qualities is considered important for social work practice.
- It is the policy of the School of Social Work that no student or applicant who has been convicted of sex offenses against children shall be eligible for admission or continuation into the BSW, MSW, or Ph.D. programs.
Information about the deadlines, requirements, and program details can be found in
the application packet on the School's website, socialwork.iu.edu. All applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and well before the final application date. The MSW admissions department will make decisions as applications are submitted. Applications are evaluated based on the criteria outlined above. Admission is competitive, and the school's instructional resources determine total enrollment.
MSW Programs of Study - Indianapolis campus
The Indiana University School of Social Work provides several programs of study leading to the MSW degree on the IU-Indianapolis campus. Each program requires 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework.
Two-Year Full-Time Program
The two-year full-time Program consists of two years of coursework taken over four academic semesters. A limited number of courses may be taken during the summer.
Part-Time Program
The part-time program enables students to complete the Generalist Foundation courses and a portion of the Clinical and Community Practice Concentration Curricula (the first 30 credit hours of the program) over two calendar years.
- Classroom courses are offered during the week, with evening options.
- Students begin the program in the fall.
Part-time students are required to complete the remaining Clinical and Community Practice and Focus Area Curricula (the final 30 as full-time students, with most classes and internships held during the week (usually Monday through Thursday during standard business hours).
Advanced Standing Programs
Students holding undergraduate social work degrees may be eligible for this program, which begins at various times based on the cohort chosen.
Advanced Standing students receive credit for the first 30 credit hours of coursework. The following are specific requirements for consideration for admission:
- Graduation within five years from a baccalaureate social work program (BSW)
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. - Successful completion of a college-level math course.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with a GPA below 3.0 are still eligible for admission into the program. The student must explain their low GPA and how they can engage in graduate-level work.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all social work courses taken before admissions committee action. Accordingly, the Advanced Standing program applicants must provide the admissions committee with an official transcript. Senior BSW students must provide a transcript including their senior year's fall semester (or winter quarter) grades. BSW graduates from IU do not need to submit
grades. - Evidence of characteristics and/or potential required for competent social work practice as defined in the school's mission statement. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, and/or pertinent work or volunteer experience.
- Advanced Standing students have Two options
Accelerated Program
Students with a strong BSW academic record may apply for the Advanced Standing Accelerated Program on the IU-Indianapolis campus. Students who are accepted into this program receive special credit for the foundation courses required. They complete the rest of their course work starting in the fall and finishing in the spring.
Part-time Advanced Standing Program
Students with a strong BSW academic record who are unable to attend the MSW Program full-time are eligible to apply to one of the other part-time programs offered on the IU-Indianapollis campus while receiving special credit for the required foundation courses.
Child Welfare and Training Partnership
The MSW Child Welfare Scholars Program is a part of the Child Welfare Education and Training Partnership. This program is funded through a contract with the Department of Child Services (DCS), and support is limited to current DCS employees. The program supports the completion of the MSW degree on any IU campus, offering the MSW option.
The Behavioral Health Academy™ in Mental Health and Addictions
The Behavioral Health Academy™ is an ongoing partnership between the Community Health Network and the Indiana University School of Social Work (IUSSW) to prepare students for practice with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders, and to become dually-licensed as both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) in Indiana.
Beginning with the first Academy™ cohort in Fall 2019, the program has expanded to include IU-Indiapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and MSW Direct. The Academy is available to students living in areas supported by a collaborating Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). Currently, the IUSSW and Community Health Network collaborate with the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center in Central Indiana, Oaklawn in South Bend, and Parkview Health/Park Center in Fort Wayne and receive funding from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.
Academy™ students join the top-ranked MSW program in Indiana and simultaneously gain specialized experience and training at some of the state's largest and most comprehensive behavioral health systems. Students receive an exceptional social work educational experience and additional training in evidence-based counseling approaches and a financial stipend while completing a two-semester practicum placement at one of the participating CMHCs during their final year in the program.
Note: The stipend varies depending on the CMHC. After finishing their MSW, people will receive a priority interview for employment at the CMHC. Additional financial incentives are provided for employees who earn their LCSW and LCAC after completing the Academy™.
Curriculum
Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with people's and society's changing needs. To respond to such demands, the curriculum of the IU School of Social Work undergoes continuing review by the faculty with the participation of students, members of the practice community, and others. Students must complete 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework to meet the minimum requirements for the Master of Social Work degree. All regular standing student complete a 30 generalist core of classes, both regular standing and advanced standing take an additional 30 credit hours of courses.
The Foundation Curriculum includes a one-semester practicum of at least 300 clock hours for three credits.
Additionally, the Concentration Practicum includes a minimum of 600 clock hours and is usually completed during the last two semesters of the student's program of study.
Then, students complete a Generalist curriculum that prepares them for advanced practice in children, youth, and families, behavioral health, health, school social work, community and organizational leadership, or social work with special populations.
Generalist Curriculum coursework, except practicum, must be completed before students are eligible to enroll in any required courses in the Focus Area Curriculum.
The overall objectives of the Generalist Curricula of the MSW program include the development of:
- basic, generalist competence applicable to a broad range of social work practices;
- basic competence at all levels: individual, family, groups, communities, and organizations;
- basic competence for practice in social service delivery systems.
The overall objectives of the Focus Area curriculum include the development of special competence with specific populations. Typical course arrangements for students admitted to the MSW program are:
Foundation Curriculum (30 cr.)
- SWK-S 506 Foundations of Ethical Social Work Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 507 Anti-Racist, Diverse, Just and Anti-oppressive Social Work (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 502 Eviudence-Informed Inquiry for Practice(3 cr.)
- SWK-S 505 Social Policy Analysis and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 508 Client Engagement and Assessment (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 509 Theory and Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 cr.)
- SWK-S-515 Group Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 518 Practice with Individuals and Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 661 Theory and Practice for Organizational Leadership and Practice (3 cr.).
- SWK-S 555 Practicum I (3 cr.)
Focus Area Curriculum (30 cr.)
Focus area student must take (12 common credits)
- SWK-S 517 Multidimensional Assessment in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (3 cr)
- SWK-S 519 Community and Global Theory and Practice (3 cr)
- SWK-S 651 Practicum II (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 652 Practicum III (3 cr.)
Children, Youth, and Families
- SWK-S 618 Social Policy and Services (3 cr)
- SWK-S 633 Working with diverse and Training families (3 Cr)
- SWK-S 634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families (3 cr)
- SWK-S6 37 Assessment and Intervention with Children and Youth (3 cr)
School Social Work
- SWK-S 613 Special Instruction and Support Services for Diverse Populations (3 cr)
- SWK-S 616 Social Work Practice in Schools with Individuals and Groups (3 cr)
- SWK-S 617 Social Work Practice with Students, Staff, and Family.
- SWK-S 618 Social Policy and Services
Community and Organizational Leadership
- SWK-S 618 Advanced Policy Practice (3 cr)
- SWK-S 662 Fiscal Leadership: Management, Marketing, and Resouce Development (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 663 Community Organizing and Advocacy (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 664 Designing Transformational Programs (3 cr.)
Behavioral Health
- SWK-S 683 Community-Based Practice in Mental Health and Addiction (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 685 Mental Health and Addictions Practice: Individuals and Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 687 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Groups (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 686 Social Work Practice: Addictions (3 cr.)
- One additional 600-level elective
Health
- SWK-S618 Social Policy and Services
- SWK-S692 Practice Skills for Integrated Healthcare Settings
- SWK-S693 Individuals, Groups, and Comminities in Health Care
- SWK-S694 Practice with Older Adults and their Families
Educational Requirements
Students are admitted on the assumption that they have the potential academic ability and personal suitability for completing the professional program they are enrolled in. All students in the MSW program are expected to maintain the standards established by the School of Social Work and those held by the social work profession. To detect possible problems, the School of Social Work reviews students’ performance at the end of each semester.
The Master of Social Work degree is recommended by the school and conferred by the University. Students must complete 60 credit hours of required and elective courses carrying graduate credit. Each student is expected to follow the university and school schedules and dates for completing requirements, including completing all work within five calendar years from the time of first enrollment.
Liability Insurance
Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. Under the school’s blanket policy, the insurance cost is included in the student’s practicum course fee.
Credit for Life Experience
Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience is not given in whole or in part toward the social work degree.
