The M.S.W. program was brought to the Indiana University Northwest campus in 1996 and graduated its first class in 2000.  Graduates of the Division of Social Work move into a broad variety of social service settings.  These include those concerned with aging, family and child welfare, corrections, mental and physical health, communities, political change and analysis, and school adjustment.  In anticipation of such professional activities, the school provides field instruction placements throughout northwest Indiana where students engage in services to individuals, groups, families, and communities or function in planning and management roles.

The general goal of the graduate program is preparation for advanced social work practice. In addition to generalist knowledge and skills, the programs provide an opportunity for development of special competence in school social work, mental health and addictions, and health. Educational resources for students in the program include a substantial library, and diversified field instruction settings.

Part Time Evening Program
The part time evening program at Indiana University Northwest enables student to complete the foundation and intermediate curriculum (the first 30 credit hours of the program) over two calendar years.  Students begin the program in late August with the first class meeting on seven Saturdays. Subsequent classes and internships are held during the week (usually Monday through Thursday). Part time evening students are also required to complete the concentration curriculum (the final 30 credit hours of the program) over the course of the third calendar year, although students may elect to extend course work and internships up to four years. 

Advanced Standing Program
Students holding undergraduate social work degrees may be eligible for this program, which begins during the second summer session (first week of July). The following are specific requirements for consideration for admission to the advanced standing program:

• Graduation within five years from a baccalaureate social work program accredited (or admitted to candidacy for accreditation) by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Successful completion of a statistics course.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in all social work courses taken prior to admissions committee action.  Accordingly, applicants to the advanced standing program must provide the admissions committee with an official transcript.  Senior B.S.W. students must provide a transcript including the fall semester (or winter quarter) grades of their senior year.
• Evidence of characteristics and/or potential required for competent social work practice as defined in the mission statement of the school.  Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, and/or pertinent work or volunteer experience.
• A reference letter is required from a full-time faculty member of the applicant’s undergraduate program.