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 evening 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 within the last five years; or, who have earned a BSW from an accredited program in the past 10 years and have social work practice experience or maintained active social work licensure during the past five years). The school offers an online program, MSW Direct, that allows taking classes online. The online program offers full-time, part-time, and advanced-standing options. The school also offers a three-year part-time program at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne administered by the main campus at IUPUI with annual admissions.
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, school social work, mental health and addictions, health, community and organizational leadership, and special practice areas in social work. 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.
The online program, MSW Direct, does not accept international students.
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
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 to have credits transferred from their previous MSW program must submit a syllabus for each class for which the student is seeking 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. In all circumstances, 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. 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 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: SSW.IU.EDU/MSW
Email: Z. Yvonne Fitzgerald, zfitzger@iupui.edu
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:
- 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 pertaining to the deadlines, requirements, and program details can be found in
the application packet on the School's website, ssw.iu.edu. Applicants can apply to multiple campus locations each year. Upon admission, applicants must submit their intent to start in one specific program. 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 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 on the IUPUI campus and for the MSW online program, MSW Direct. Each program requires 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Most options are available for both IUPUI and MSW Direct, except where noted.
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 Evening Program
The part-time evening program enables students to complete the Generalist Foundation courses and a portion of the Clinical and Community Practice Concentration Curricula (the first 31 credit hours of the program) over two calendar years.
- Classroom courses are offered on weekday evenings.
- Students begin the program in the second summer session.
Part-time evening students are required to complete the remaining Clinical and Community Practice and Focus Area Curricula (the final 29 credit hours of the program) as full-time students, with most classes and internships held during the week (usually Monday through Thursday during standard business hours).
The MSW online program, MSW Direct, offers a part-time option that is asynchronous.
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 19 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; or, received a BSW from
an accredited program in the past ten years and have social work practice
experience or maintained active social work licensure during the past five years - 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 provide an explanation for their low GPA and how they will be able to engage in graduate-level work.
- 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 BSW students must provide a transcript including the fall semester (or winter quarter) grades of their senior year. 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 mission statement of the school. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, and/or pertinent work or volunteer experience.
- Advanced Standing students have three options from which to select.
Accelerated Program
Students with a strong BSW academic record may apply for the Advanced Standing Accelerated Program on the IUPUI campus. This option is not available for MSW Direct students. Students who are accepted into this program receive special credit for the foundation courses required. Then they complete the Clinical and Community Practice Concentration coursework 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 or the online program, MSW Direct, while receiving special credit for the foundation courses required. 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.
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 the Fall of 2019, the program has expanded to include IUPUI, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and MSW Direct. The Academy is available to students living in areas supported by 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 the state of Indiana and simultaneously gain specialized experience and training at some of the largest and most comprehensive behavioral health systems in the state. Students not only receive an exceptional social work educational experience but also receive 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: stipend varies based on the CMHC. Persons will receive a priority interview for employment at the CMHC after they finish their MSW, with additional financial incentives provided for employees who earn their LCSW and LCAC after completion of the Academy™.
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 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 students complete a common 19-credit Foundation Curriculum and 26-credit Clinical and Community Practice Concentration Curriculum emphasizing generalist, clinical, and community perspectives for social work practice.
The Foundation Curriculum includes a one-semester practicum of a minimum of 300 clock hours, for three credits.
A Clinical and Community Practice Concentration Practicum includes of 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 Focus Area Curriculum that prepares them for advanced practice in children, youth and families, mental health and addictions, health, school social work, community and organizational leadership, or social work with special populations.
All Foundation and Clinical And Community Practice Concentration Curriculum coursework, with the exception of practicum, must be completed before students are eligible to enroll in any required courses in the Focus Area Curriculum.
The overall objectives of the Foundation and Clinical and Community Practice Concentration 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 (19 cr.)
- SWK-S 506 Introduction to the SW Profession (1 cr.)
- SWK-S 507 Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice (3 cr.) SWK-S 502 Research I (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 505 Social Policy Analysis and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 508 Generalist Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 509 SWK Practice: Organizations, Communities and Societies (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 555 Practicum I (3 cr.)
Clinical and Community Practice Concentration Curriculum (26 cr.)
- SWK-S 517 Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 518 Clinical Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 519 Community and Global Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 661 Executive Leadership Practice (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 618 Social Policy and Services (SPA) (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 623 Practice Evaluation (3 cr.) or SWK-S624 Program Evaluation (3 cr)
- SWK-S 651 Practicum II (4 cr.)
- SWK-S 652 Practicum III (4 cr.)
Focus Area Curriculum (15cr.) Children, Youth, and Family
Students must take 3 of the four focus area courses:
- SWK-S 632 Children, Youth and Families Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence in the Family (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 633 Children, Youth and Families Practice II: Working with Diverse and Transitioning Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 636 Social Work Practice with Children and Families: Involuntary Populations, Addictions and Domestic Violence (3 cr.)
- Two additional 600-level electives
School Social Work
- SWK-S 613 – Special Instruction and Support Services for Diverse Populations (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 616 Social Work Practice in Schools (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 614 School Social Work Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 632 Children, Youth and Families Practice I: Working with Children Impacted by Violence in the Family (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 685 Mental Health and Addictions Practice: Individuals and Families (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 634 Group and Community-Based Practice with Children and Families (3 cr.) SWK-S 687 Mental Health and Addictions Practice with Groups (3 cr.)
Community and Organizational Leadership
- SWK-S 662 Fiscal Management and Resource Development (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 663 Leveraging Organizational, Community and Political Systems (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 664 Designing Transformational Programs (3 cr.)
- Two additional 600-level electives
Mental Health and Addictions
- 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-S 692 Practice Skills for Health Care Settings (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 693 Practice with Individuals, Families & Communities in Healthcare Settings (3 cr.)
Must take one of the following:
- SWK-S 694 Practice with Older Adults (3 cr.)
- SWK-S 696 Confronting Loss, Grief, Death and Bereavement (3 cr.)
- One additional 600-level elective
Special Practice Areas in Social Work
- Students take 15 credit hours of 600-level social work courses.
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 at the end of each semester.
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.
