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.
Featured Social Work Programs
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For aspiring social work professionals in the "Hoosier State," the following is the 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
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
[email protected]
Ball State University
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
[email protected]
http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/socialwork
Goshen College
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
[email protected]
http://www.goshen.edu/sowk/about/social-work/
Huntington University
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
[email protected]
http://www.huntington.edu/social-work/
Indiana State University
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
[email protected]
http://www.indstate.edu/socwork/
Indiana University
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
[email protected]
http://socialwork.iu.edu/
Indiana Wesleyan University
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
[email protected]
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.
Manchester University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
With a strong emphasis on accepting individuals of diverse backgrounds and advocating social justice for disenfranchised populations, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare entry-level generalist social work practitioners for alleviating poverty, challenging oppression, empowering vulnerable individuals, and providing quality services to under-served populations throughout Indiana. Ideal for students wishing to enter a career in mental health, child abuse, juvenile delinquency, addictions, disabilities, domestic violence, or homelessness to improve the human condition, the upper-level professional program beginning in the junior year requires students to complete a minimum of 58 credit hours and 420 clock hours of practicum.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
604 East College Avenue
North Manchester, IN 46962
(260) 982-5365
[email protected]
http://www.manchester.edu/Academics/departments/sociology_SocialWork/SocialWork/index.shtml
Saint Mary's College
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
With a firm grounding in social work values and ethics to prepare professionals for working with oppressed populations for social and economic justice, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program specifically develops generalist practitioners who can provide professional social services across the spectrum of social systems. Focused on the practical application of problem-solving techniques to help people with a wide range of problems, the program requires the completion of at least 45 credit hours of liberal arts core with 60 credit hours of social work major coursework. Throughout the program, students are actively involved in studies on human behavior, social work practice, social welfare policy, diversity, research methods, leadership development, family violence, psychology, and field practicum.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Spes Unica Hall Room 256
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4074
[email protected]
https://www.saintmarys.edu/academics/departments/social-work
Taylor University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Focused on enhancing the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged populations, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare students for beginning level generalist social work practice to impact circles of influence in an effort to advance social justice. Through an integration of Christian values with professional ethics, the program seeks to globalize student perspectives on issues of diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. With an intensive curriculum based on the five content areas of human behavior, social work practice, social welfare policy, research, and field instruction, students are required to participate in at least 30 hours of volunteer work and 480 clock hours of practicum to apply theories learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
236 West Reade Avenue
Upland, IN 46989
(765) 998-5209
[email protected]
University of Indianapolis
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
With a generalist orientation that is ideal for social work professionals who wish to work in addictions, child welfare, corrections, crisis interventions, developmental disabilities, domestic violence, mental health, professional development training, school social work, or elderly services, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on training graduates to empower individuals to advocate for social justice. Designed to train students to help people from diverse underserved backgrounds to create solutions to problems, the upper-level professional program requires students to complete a minimum of 63 credit hours in major coursework. In an effort to link students pursuing the degree with social work practitioners in the field, the School offers an innovative Footsteps Program that enables students to shadow licensed professionals with similar career interests.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
1400 East Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 788-3368
[email protected]
http://socialwork.uindy.edu/index.php
University of Saint Francis
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Intended for students who have a desire to serve people and a passion for promoting social justice, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is rooted in the Franciscan traditions of faith and reason to prepare students for competent generalist social work practice. With the mission of producing social work practitioners for leadership with diverse communities, engagement in activities that advocate human rights, and advancement of the profession through scholarly endeavors, the program provides a seamless blend of academic instruction in the classroom and through field practicum experiences for the completion of at least 128 total credit hours. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for state licensure, apply for Advanced Standing to achieve a MSW, or find numerous employment options in a wide variety of social service settings.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
2701 Spring St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 399-7700 ext. 8430
[email protected]
http://www.sf.edu/sf/social-work/bachelor-of-social-work-curriculum
University of Southern Indiana
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Designed to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and values for generalist practice with diverse populations and emerging social issues, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is centered on the ten core competencies of social work practice established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Requiring all students to complete a grand total of 124 credit hours with a solid liberal arts foundation integrated with professional social work knowledge, the program aims to use course exercise to promote student awareness of self as an agent of change. In order to apply theory and knowledge to various social service agency settings, BSW students are also expected to actively participate in at least 450 clock hours of field practicum experience.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Ideal for graduate students who wish to become clinical social workers for advanced practice in mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, residential treatment facilities, or employee assistance programs, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program strives to produce professional social work practitioners that promote development and empowerment of clients. Offering students the ability to focus their studies through electives and a graduate capstone project, the program involves specialized field placements in the areas of geriatrics, medical social work, hospice, psychiatric mental health care, veteran services, hospice, and child welfare services. While non-BSW students can complete the 61-credit program within two years full-time, those with a recent BSW degree from an accredited institution can apply for Advanced Standing to complete just 36 credits in one year.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Education Center Room 0127
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 461-5281
[email protected]
Valparaiso University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Structured to develop highly trained professionals who use their compassionate, skilled, and creative selves to change the lives of vulnerable populations, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on the 14 foundational objectives provided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). As a 44-credit upper-level professional program, students are provided with the necessary knowledge, values, and skill development for ethical, effective entry-level generalist practice. With a commitment to providing a smooth transition from college life to the professional world, students in the program are required to complete a 100-hour internship in the spring semester of the junior year as well as a 450-hour internship in the fall and spring semesters of the senior year before graduation.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
1010 Union St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5336
[email protected]
http://www.valpo.edu/socialwork/index.php
As one of the most versatile and in-demand professions that is annually ranked among the "best jobs" for the future by the U.S. News and World Report, those with a calling for helping vulnerable individuals and working with diverse communities are strongly encouraged to explore career opportunities in social work. For students in the "Hoosier State," these social work degrees in Indiana have been accredited by the CSWE to get started on a rewarding career path promoting social justice where injustice exists.