Graduate
Social Work MSW
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 evening program, and an Advanced Standing Program option. (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 within the last five years.) The school also offers a three-year part-time program at IPFW administered by the main campus at IUPUI with admissions every 3rd year beginning.
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 for development of special competence in child welfare, school social work, mental health and addictions, health, leadership and advanced generalist practice. Educational resources for students in the program include a substantial library, an audiovisual center, student computer 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 in which they wish to enter. They must fill out the international application and the Indiana University School of Social Work application by the posted deadlines. They also must provide proof of their ability to pay fees and support themselves adequately during the period of 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 IUPUI
902 W. New York Street, ES2126 Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 274-7000 E-mail: oia@iupui.edu
Transfer Students
A limited number of transfer students from other accredited MSW programs may be accepted each year. Master of Social Work students interested in transferring to Indiana University must complete an application for admission to the program. Upon receipt of the completed application, the M.S.W. program director and the chair of the admissions committee will review the materials and decide if the applicant will be accepted into the program. If accepted, the MSW program director will analyze the student’s transcript and course syllabi to determine which credits earned in another accredited social work program will transfer to Indiana University. In all circumstances, however, the transfer student must complete all required courses in their chosen Concentration Curriculum.
Non-MSW Students
With permission of the school, Indiana University students enrolled in other graduate degree programs or persons possessing the MSW degree may request permission to enroll in selected elective courses within the program.
Enrollment of nondegree students is restricted by the availability of space and faculty. Persons interested in such enrollment are required to request permission by writing to the Director of the MSW Program on the campus they plan to attend.
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 though previous academic work, professional achievements, and volunteer commitments. A strong commitment to social justice and service to others should be evident in the application.
Admission information for all of the MSW programs may be obtained from:
Master of Social Work
Education/Social Work Building 4134 Indiana University
School of Social Work 902 W. New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5154
Telephone: (317) 278-6085 Web: www.socialwork.iu.edu
Email: zfitzger@iupui.edu Z. Yvonne Fitzgerald
Enrollment in the MSW program requires official admission to the Indiana University School of Social Work. A limited number of students are admitted each year.
The following items are the minimum requirements for consideration for admission:
- An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Evidence of course work in liberal arts
- Successful completion of a minimum of six courses in social or behavioral sciences, as defined in the application packet
- Successful completion of a course in statistics
- An earned cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the final 60 credit hours of the degree
- Submission of the completed application packet by the due date
Applications are available in early fall of the year preceding admission. Information pertaining to the deadlines, requirements, and program details can be found in the application packet on the School's website www.socialwork.iu.edu. Applicants can apply to only one location and one specific program per year. All applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and well before the final application date. The MSW admissions committee will make all decisions and notify students in the spring. Applications are evaluated on the basis of the six criteria outlined above. Admission is competitive and the instructional resources of the school 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. Each program requires 60 credit hours of graduate-level course work.
Two-Year Full-Time Program
The Two-Year Full-Time Program consists of two years of course work taken over four academic semesters. A limited number of concentration year courses may be taken during the summer.
Part-Time Evening Program
The Part-Time Evening Program enables students to complete the Foundation and Intermediate Curricula (the first 30 credit hours of the program) over two calendar years. Classroom courses are offered on weekday evenings. Students begin this program in the second summer semester. Part-time evening students are required to complete the Concentration Curriculum (the final 30 credit hours of the program) with most classes and internships held during the week (usually Monday through Thursday).
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. The following are specific requirements for consideration for admission to the advanced standing program:
- Graduation within five years from a baccalaureate social work program (BSW) accredited 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.
Accelerated Program
Students with a strong BSW academic record may apply for the Advanced Standing Accelerated Program on
the IUPUI campus. Students who are accepted into this program receive special credit for the foundation courses required. Then they complete the intermediate course work through intensive study and practicum during the summer sessions. This program begins in May and is full- time for one calendar year.
Part-time Advanced Standing Program
Students with a strong BSW academic record, but are unable to attend the MSW Program on a full-time basis, are eligible to apply to one of the other part-time programs offered on the IUPUI campus, while receiving special credit for the foundation courses required.
Indiana Partnership for Social Work Education in Child Welfare
The Child Welfare Scholarship Program is offered to students involved in the Indiana Partnership for Social Work Education in Child Welfare, funded in part by Title IV-E, and enables students to complete the Foundation and Intermediate Curriculum (the first 30 credit hours of the program) over two calendar years. Eligibility for the Title IV-E program is limited to current employees of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Students begin the program by enrolling in their first courses during the second summer semester. Students are allowed to apply for one of the other IUPUI cohorts and will request IV-E status and funding. The schedule will then match the identified cohort.
Curriculum
Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of people and society. To respond to such needs, the curriculum of the 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 course work in order to meet the minimum requirements for the Master of Social Work degree. All students complete a common 15 credit Foundation Curriculum and 15 credit Intermediate Curriculum that emphasize a generalist perspective for social work practice. The Intermediate Curriculum includes a one-semester practicum of a minimum of 320 clock hours. Following that, students complete a Concentration Curriculum that prepares them for advanced practice in child welfare, mental health and addictions, health, school social work, leadership or advanced generalist practice. The Concentration Practicum of a minimum of 640 clock hours is usually completed over two semesters.
All Foundation and Intermediate Curriculum course work must be completed before students are eligible to enroll in any required courses in the Concentration Curriculum.
The overall objectives of the Foundation and Intermediate Curricula of the MSW program include development of
- basic, generalist competence applicable to a broad range of social work practice;
- 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 Concentration Year include development of special competence in a concentration area.
Typical course arrangements for students admitted to the MSW program are shown below.
Foundation Curriculum (15 cr.)
- S501 Professional Social Work at the Masters Level: An Immersion
- S502 Research I
- S503 Human Behavior & the Social Environment I
- S504 Professional Practice Skills I
- S505 Social Policy Analysis and Practice
Intermediate Curriculum (15 cr.)
- S513 Human Behavior & the Social Environment II
- S514 Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I
- S516 Social Work Practice II: Organizations, Communities, and Societies
- S517 Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions
- S555 Social Work Practicum I (3 cr.)
Concentration Curriculum (30 cr.) Child Welfare
- S618 Social Policy and Services II: Child Welfare
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S632 Child Welfare Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence in the Family
- S633 Child Welfare Practice II: Working with Diverse and Transitioning Families
- S634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families
- S636 Special Topics in Social Work Practice with Children and Families: Involuntary Populations, Addictions and Domestic Violence
- S651 Practicum II and S 652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
School Social Work
- S616 Social Work Practice in Schools
- S 618 Social Policy and Services II: Schools
- S619 Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S632 Child Welfare Practice I
- S651 Practicum II and S 652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- 3 additional credit hours of other 600-level courses
Leadership
- S618 Social Policy and Services II
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I (Program Evaluation)
- S651 Practicum II and S 652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S662 Fiscal Management and Resource Development
- S663 Leveraging Organizations, Communities, and Political Systems
- S664 Designing Transformational Programs
- 3 additional credit hours at the 600-level
Mental Health and Addictions
- S618 Social Policy and Services II: Mental Health and Addictions
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S651 Practicum II and S 652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S683 Community-Based Practice in Mental Health and Addictions*
- S685 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Individuals and Families
- S686 Social Work Practice: Addictions (3 cr.)
- S687 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Groups
Health
- S618 Social Policy and Services II: Health
- S623 Practice Research Integrative Seminar I
- S651 Practicum II and S 652 Practicum III
- S661 Executive Leadership Practice
- S692 Practice Skills for Health Care Settings
- S693 Practice with Individuals, Families & Communities in Healthcare Settings
- S694 Practice with Older Adults
- S696 Confronting Loss, Grief, Death and Bereavement
Educational Requirements
Students are admitted 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 MSW 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 Master of Social Work degree is recommended by the school and conferred by the university. 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, including completion of 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 cost of insurance 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.
