College of Health and Human Services
Schools & Divisions
Division of Social Work
Educational Requirements
Students are admitted to the undergraduate (B.S.W.) and graduate (M.S.W.) programs on the assumption that they have the potential academic ability and personal suitability for completing the professional program in which they are enrolled. All students in the B.S.W. and M.S.W. program are expected to maintain the standards established by the School of Social Work and those held by the social work profession. In order to detect possible problems, the School of Social Work reviews students’ performance periodically.
The Bachelor of Social Work and the Master of Social Work degrees are recommended by the school and conferred by the university. Undergraduate students must successfully complete 120 credit hours of general education and required social work courses. Graduate students must successfully 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 completion of requirements. Graduate students must complete all work within five calendar years from the time of first enrollment.
M.S.W. Academic Requirements
For continuation in and graduation from the program, students are required to:
- earn at least a “C” in each Social Work course;
- maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in Social Work courses;
- have satisfactorily fulfilled any and all contracts for grades of Incomplete (see policy on Grades of Incomplete)
- Earn a grade of “C” in S555 Practicum I and a grade of “Satisfactory” in S 651, Practicum II and S652, Practicum II.
B.S.W. Academic Requirements
For continuation in and graduation from the program, students are required to:
- earn at least a “C” in each Social Work course;
- maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in graduate Social Work courses;
- maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- have satisfactorily fulfilled any and all contracts for grades of Incomplete (see policy on Grades of Incomplete)
- Earn a grade of “Satisfactory” in S 481, Practicum I and S482, Practicum II.
Professional Requirements
Students are expected to behave in a manner consistent with the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Handbook, the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, and other professional guidelines established in the B.S.W. and M.S.W. Handbooks. Refer to the section below that outlines some examples of conduct that violates professional and ethical standards.
Criminal Offense Disclosure and Sexual Offenders Policy
As part of the application process, students provide a disclosure statement regarding past criminal offenses. Bachelor and Master of Social Work graduates are eligible to apply for legal licensure by the State of Indiana. While such disclosure does not pre-empt an admissions decisions, admitted students must realize that a criminal history may affect their eligibility for licensure.
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 matriculation into the BSW, MSW or PhD programs. Any student who is already in an IUSSW program and whose name appears on the Registry during the time of matriculation, or has been convicted of an offense for which the student can be listed on the Registry, shall be ineligible for continuation or completion of the MSW degree. Any faculty member, student, field instructor, or other person within the school who becomes aware of such a situation should bring it to the attention of the respective program director for appropriate action. This policy and the right of appeal is discussed further in the section on Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.
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 tuition fees.
Credit for Life Experience
Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience is not given in whole or part towards the social work degree.