Located in the Midwestern and Great Lakes region of the United States as the 38th most extensive and 16th most populous state, there are numerous social work degrees in Indiana that are designed to prepare social workers for serving the under-served rural communities throughout the state.
Online Social Work Programs For You
Convenient Online Alternatives
For aspiring social work professionals in the "Hoosier State," the following is the first half (A-I) of our list of undergraduate and graduate programs in social work that have been given the gold standard for excellence by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in Indiana.
Anderson University
Department of Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Family Science
As a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Anderson University is a private institution dedicated to Christian higher education in the liberal arts that is located on a 163-acre campus in the suburban setting of Anderson. Home to a close-knit community of nearly 2,600 students with state-of-the-art networked classrooms, AU is currently ranked as the 38th best college in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Family Science offers majors in each of the aforementioned disciplines with strong community ties that provide students with numerous field opportunities at both the local and national levels.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Designed to prepare students for entry-level professional social service positions with the foundational knowledge, skills, and values to pursue their calling, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on a Christian perspective through providing students with supportive modeling and mentoring from highly trained professors. Whether students are interested in working with children, adults, families, or individuals with mental health concerns, the program exposes students to a minimum of four populations in need through three mini-internships and one full-semester of field practice. Throughout the 64-credit upper-level program beginning in the junior year, students are prepared as competent, compassionate, and effective entry-level generalist social workers.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Decker Hall Room 220
1100 East Fifth St.
Anderson, IN 46012
(765) 641-4510 ext. 4510
bkmacmurray@anderson.edu
Ball State University
Department of Social Work
Classified by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation as a public research institution with high research activity, Ball State University is located on a vast 1,140-acre campus in the suburban setting of Muncie about an hour northeast of the state capital in Indianapolis. Recognized for excellence in freshman programs and its commitment to diversity, BSU is currently ranked as the 181st best college and 101st top public school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Offering the oldest and largest accredited undergraduate program of its kind in Indiana, the Department of Social Work is dedicated to preparing social workers who know how to effectively solve problems, address ethical issues, and collaborate with other professionals.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
As the most recognized undergraduate degree that prepares students for immediate entry into professional human service positions and fulfills eligibility requirements for taking the state licensing examination, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program combines liberal arts with professional social work courses to help develop the knowledge, values, and skills needed for success as an entry-level generalist social worker. While the program requiring a total of 126 credit hours normally takes four years full-time for completion, there is a fast-track option available that enables students to focus on their studies year-round and complete the degree in just three years.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
North Quad Building Room 243
2000 West University Avenue
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-1016
socialwork@bsu.edu
http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/socialwork
Goshen College
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology
Rooted in the historic traditions of the Mennonite Church with a Christ-centered mission to produce servant leaders and compassionate peacemakers, Goshen College is a comprehensive private institution that enrolls more than 1,000 students on its urban 135-acre campus in Goshen. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Goshen College is currently recognized as the 141st best national liberal arts college in the United States. The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology aims to prepare students for practicing effectively with diverse client populations and advocating on the behalf of those who are at-risk for oppression.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
With the mission of preparing baccalaureate students for beginning level generalist practice with an emphasis on social and economic justice, anti-oppressive practice, and multicultural diversity, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program approaches social work practice from a holistic perspective of human beings and their relationships or interactions in the social systems. While freshmen without previous higher education can enter a standard full-time four-year program requiring 120 credit hours, those with an associate's degree can participate in an accelerated 18-month track that requires just 53 credit hours. Along with coursework on social work practice theories and social welfare policies, the program incorporates practical application opportunities through a total of 470 clock hours of in-agency field experience.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Wyse Hall Room 117
1700 South Main St.
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 535-7401
jeanneml@goshen.edu
http://www.goshen.edu/sowk/about/social-work/
Huntington University
Social Work Department
On a wooded, lakeside 170-acre campus located in northeastern Indiana just 20 miles from the state's second largest city in Fort Wayne, Huntington University is a private four-year institution that is founded on a Christian worldview by the United Brethren in Christ. Sending out hundreds of graduates with associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees to impact the global world for Christ annually, Huntington is currently ranked as the 16th best college and 4th top university for veterans in the Midwest with the 87th best online bachelor's programs in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The Social Work Department has the mission of preparing social workers who can creatively address the broad range of human conditions and situations to restore the capacity of well-being across diverse populations.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Focused on the foundational values of service, justice, integrity, dignity, competence, and the importance of human relationships, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is nationally accredited to address the current diverse needs of at-risk individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in the social work profession. Through classroom instruction, community service, more than 600 hours of supervised field experience, and global networking connections, students are well-prepared for entry-level generalist social work practice or for the pursuit of a Master's degree in social work with Advanced Standing.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
2303 College Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750
(260) 356-6000
cmacdonald@huntington.edu
http://www.huntington.edu/social-work/
Indiana State University
Department of Social Work
Situated in Terre Haute about 70 miles southwest of the state capital at Indianapolis on an urban 435-acre campus, Indiana State University is a comprehensive public research institution with more than 12,000 students. Consistently named as one of the "Best in the Midwest" by the prestigious Princeton Review, ISU is ranked as the 25th best college among national universities and the 2nd best in service learning programs by Washington Monthly magazine. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Department of Social Work has established partnerships with local social service agencies to ensure students are very active in the classroom and the community for optimal experiential learning opportunities.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Based on the promotion of the profession with the development of competent and skilled entry-level social work professionals who can enter the workforce as a generalist social work practitioner or pursue graduate studies, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program involves the completion of 76 major credits and 120 total credits that can be completed on either a four-year or accelerated three-year track. Built on a strong liberal arts foundation, the curriculum integrates social work values, principles of ethical decision-making, understanding of individuals from diverse backgrounds, promotion of social justice, human behavior, social welfare policy, research methods, and field education.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Focused on rural clinical social work practice, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program has the goal of promoting social and economic justice by developing competent advanced clinical social work professionals who are prepared to address the unique needs of under-served rural populations throughout Indiana. Requiring a total of 60 credit hours for completion in four semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time, the program offers two concentrations in Health or Mental Health and Addiction. Designed to give students the clinical skills to effectively assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the outcomes of services provided in rural areas, the program requires the completion of 240 hours of practicum and 700 hours of internship experience in a clinical setting.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Nursing Building Room 425
200 North Seventh St.
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(812) 237-3611
r-lugar@indstate.edu
http://www.indstate.edu/socwork/
Indiana University
School of Social Work
With eight campus statewide forming a vibrant active community that benefits from the metropolitan qualities of large cities and the intimate atmosphere of small towns, Indiana University is a comprehensive state-assisted public school system that has been named the "Hottest Big State School" by Newsweek magazine. Recognized for its innovation and creativity by being named "most wired" among public universities by PC magazine, IU is currently ranked as the 75th best college, 31st top public school, and 7th best college for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the School of Social Work is nationally recognized for having the 16th best graduate social work program in the United States.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Focused on training students to be effective and knowledgeable professional social workers prepared for practice in the diverse 21st century, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is committed to the alleviation of poverty, oppression, and discrimination for the advancement of the quality of life for all people, especially the citizens of Indiana. Founded on the core values of service, social justice, dignity, integrity, and competence, the program aims to prepare graduates for generalist social work practice within a global context with a broad liberal arts foundation that emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills. For completion of the degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours and a total of 560 clock hours of supervised field practicum in human service organizations.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
No matter which campus location students choose to attend, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare advanced practice social workers who can respond to the ever-changing needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Requiring students to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours and 880 clock hours of supervised field practice in a social service agency, the program enables students to concentrate their studies in Child Welfare, School Social Work, Mental Health and Addictions, Health, or Social Work Leadership. While the program can typically be completed in two years full-time or three to four years part-time, exceptional students who possess a BSW degree from an accredited institution in social work can apply for Advanced Standing status for an accelerated pathway.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
902 W. New York St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-6705
socweb@iupui.edu
http://socialwork.iu.edu/
Indiana Wesleyan University
School of Social Work
As an evangelical Christian private institution with a community of over 3,200 students enrolled in programs based on the blend of academics and religion, Indiana Wesleyan University stands proudly on an award-winning 345-acre main campus in the heart of Marion. Well-known for being the first member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be selected as a world leader in its innovative approaches to educational use of technology, IWU is currently ranked as the 17th best college and 6th top value school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Social Work is strongly focused on engaging students in scholarly activities that contribute to professional knowledge about complex social problems from a Christian worldview perspective for community service.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Ideal for students who wish to seek employment as a social worker in various social service agencies working with a wide range of vulnerable populations within the helping profession, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance human well-being and meet basic human needs for under-served communities. As students gain first-hand experience working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to better understand the impact of social or economic injustice, the program consists of a seamless blend of classroom, volunteer, and practicum experiences.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
4201 South Washington St.
Marion, IN 46953
(765) 674-6901
brian.fry@indwes.edu
https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/bachelor-of-social-work/
As the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of social workers is expected to grow faster than average to create 114,100 new jobs by 2022, it is the best time for students aspiring to join this helping profession to enroll in an accredited degree program to reach these career goals. Whether you are born and raised or considering moving to the state, it is recommended that you check out these accredited social work degree programs in Indiana to start truly making a difference in the lives of vulnerable populations.
For the remainder of the list, please see Social Work Degree Programs in Indiana (J-Z).