Undergraduate Degrees

Associate of Science in Human Services

General Information

This program is offered by the Indiana University School of Social Work through IU East. The degree prepares students for paraprofessional employment; i.e., its purpose is to enable students to develop skills at the technician level to assist other professionals in community settings. Within the associate degree, concentrations include child care, institutional life, neighborhood work, public housing, rehabilitation, and homemaker services. For an application form and information about admission to this program, write to:

Edward FitzGerald, M.S.W., J.D.
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Boulevard
Richmond, IN 47374-1289
Telephone: (765) 973-8422
E-mail: efitzger@indiana.edu

It will be possible for students who complete requirements for the Associate of Science degree to be admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work program. Course credit earned for the associate degree may be applied to the B.S.W. degree.

Admission Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements for admission consideration:

• Regular admission to the university
• Completion of at least 12 credit hours beyond high school, including the required exploratory course, S 141 Introduction to Social Work (Student must receive a grade of C or above)
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, although in special cases students may be admitted with a grade point average below 2.5
• Evidence of personal qualifications required for education in human services to be derived from application materials, letters of reference, performance in completed courses, and a personal interview

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Bachelor of Social Work

General Information

This four-year degree program prepares students for generalist social work practice. It helps students develop the competence to apply knowledge, values, and skills to practice with individuals, small groups, organizations, and communities. The program also prepares students for graduate education. The B.S.W. degree equips the practitioner to work with people who are encountering challenges related to personal or social circumstances. In addition, qualified graduates may apply for advanced standing to the IU School of Social Work or other M.S.W. programs nationwide.

Following the equivalent of a minimum of two postgraduate years of supervised social work practice experience, B.S.W. graduates of IU are eligible to apply for licensure by the state of Indiana. Upon successful completion of licensing requirements, the Indiana State Health Professions Bureau designates the B.S.W. graduate a Licensed Social Worker (L.S.W.).

The B.S.W. degree is offered on the Indianapolis (IUPUI), Bloomington (IUB), and Richmond (IUE) campuses. Students in the B.S.W. Program must complete all sophomore and junior social work courses and achieve senior standing before enrolling in the senior social work courses. A few social work courses are offered at Columbus and on the Kokomo campus.

For specific information regarding the B.S.W. Program, contact the appropriate campus below:

B.S.W. Program
Education/Social Work Building 4138
Indiana University
School of Social Work
902 W. New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 274-6705 or 274-8359
Web: socialwork.iu.edu
E-mail: kabrown@iupui.edu (Katrina Patterson) or
dennis2@iupui.edu (Sheila Dennis)

School of Social Work
Indiana University
1127 E. Atwater Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47401-3701
Telephone: (812) 855-4427
Web: bloomington.socialwork.iu.edu
E-mail: kvbyers@indiana.edu

Social Work/Human Services Program
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Boulevard
Richmond, IN 47374-1289
Telephone: (765) 973-8422
E-mail: efitzger@indiana.edu

Admission Requirements

Enrollment in the B.S.W. program requires formal admission to the School of Social Work. The following are the minimum requirements for admission consideration:

• Regular admission to the university.
• Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours. Although we encourage early application, advanced students may also apply.
• Satisfactory completion (grade of C or higher) of the required course S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Evidence of characteristics or potential required for competent social work practitioners as defined in the mission statement of the school. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, pertinent work or volunteer experience, and performance in S 141 Introduction to Social Work.

Information pertaining to the deadlines and requirements can be found in the application packet.

Admission information may be obtained from:

B.S.W. Admissions
Education/Social Work Building 4138
Indiana University
School of Social Work
902 W. New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 274-6705 or 274-8359
Web: socialwork.iu.edu
E-mail: kabrown@iupui.edu or dennis2@iupui.edu

For information about admission to the university, contact:

Admissions Office
Cavanaugh Hall 127
IUPUI
425 University Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140
Telephone: (317) 274-4591

Admissions Office
Indiana University
300 N. Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405-1106
Telephone: (812) 855-0661

Admissions Office
Indiana University East
2325 Chester Boulevard
Richmond, IN 47374-1289
Telephone: (765) 973-8208

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Course Requirements

A minimum of 122 credit hours is required for the B.S.W. degree. In addition to social work courses and electives, the following outlines the general liberal arts requirements.

General Requirements (8 courses)

1. English Composition (2 courses)
2. Modern American History
3. Two courses designated as arts and humanities courses from the following departments:
   African American and African Diaspora Studies
   Comparative Literature
   Communication and Theatre
   English (excluding the basic composition course)
   Fine Arts
   Folklore
   Foreign Languages
   Gender Studies
   History
   Musicology
   Latino Studies
   Philosophy
   Religion
   Sign Language
   Women's Studies
4. Human Biology
   One course in human biological sciences
5. Computer Science/Mathematics/Physical Sciences (2 courses)
   One Computer Science course (required). (On the IUPUI campus, it is strongly recommended that students take SWK-S 300 Computer Technology for Social Work.)
   For the second course, students select from one of the following:
   Astronomy
   Chemistry
   Geology
   Mathematics
   Physical Geography
   Physics
   Statistics (strongly recommended)

Supportive Area Requirements (6 courses)

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Educational Requirements

The baccalaureate social work degree is granted by the university. For continuance in and graduation from the program, students are required (1) to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all letter-graded courses, (2) to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (or its equivalent) in all required social work courses, (3) to attain a minimum grade of C (2.0) or Satisfactory in each required social work course, and (4) to carry out professional activity in conformity with the values and ethics of the profession.

In the event of failure to meet such requirements, students will be ineligible to continue in the program. Such students are encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor regarding realistic planning for the future, including the right to petition for administrative review. Detailed descriptions of student continuation policies are in the B.S.W. Student Handbook or on the Web at socialwork.iu.edu.

Repeated Courses
Required social work courses may be repeated only after the student is reinstated in the program with permission.

Pass/Fail Grades
A maximum of four pass/fail courses may be applied to the B.S.W. degree. All general requirements and supportive area requirements need a letter grade. All required social work courses receive a letter grade except for S 482 Practicum II, which is graded as Satisfactory/Fail.

Courses by Correspondence
A maximum of six courses taken by correspondence may be applied toward completion of the B.S.W. degree requirements. Of these, no more than four courses can be allowed in the general requirements and no more than two courses in the supportive area requirements.

Liability Insurance
Students are required to carry professional liability insurance. Under the school's blanket policy, the cost of insurance is included in the student's practicum course fee.

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Credit for Life Experience

Academic credit for previous life and work experience is not given in whole or in part toward the social work degree.

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Criminal History

Students with criminal histories other than those deriving from sexual offenses may be eligible for admission into the B.S.W. program. Eligibility in these circumstances is determined by a case-by-case assessment. While having a criminal background may not preclude students from participating in the B.S.W. program, they should be aware of educational and professional implications. Agency policies and state laws may impose limitations for students and professionals with criminal histories attempting to obtain field placements, employment in certain practice settings, and/or professional licensure. Laws vary by state and are subject to change over time. Students should consult individual state licensing agencies for futher information. The B.S.W. program is not responsible for disruptions in a student's educational plan resulting from a criminal background.

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Certificates

The School of Social Work at IUPUI offers two certificates: a Certificate in Case Management at the undergraduate level and a Certificate in Family Life Education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Both certificates are open to social work and non-social work students.

Please check the IUSSW Web site for updates on the Certificate in Family Life Education as well as upcoming certificates on Schools and Addictions/Substance Abuse.

The Social Work Program at IU East offers two certificates: a Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies and a Certificate in Gerontology at the undergraduate level. Both certificates are open to all students.

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