Indiana University MSW

The Indiana University School of Social Work has been essential to social work education since 1911. This 112-year old school has built its reputation by preparing students who can tackle complex social challenges in communities, organizations, and people’s lives.

The school’s main campus sits in Indianapolis, with a network of locations throughout Indiana – Bloomington, New Albany, Fort Wayne, Gary (Northwest), Lafayette, and South Bend. Students from anywhere in the state can easily reach a campus, while the MSW Direct online program breaks down geographical barriers.

Student demographics paint a picture of the school’s dedication to diversity and inclusion. The 656 graduate students show a gender split of 83% female and 16% male. The racial/ethnic makeup has 77% White or Caucasian, 10.82% Black or African American, 5.34% Hispanic/Latino, 1.37% Asian, and 2.9% identifying as two or more races. About 1% of students come from international backgrounds.

The faculty’s research tackles today’s most important social issues. Their work spans social justice, institutional child welfare, mental health, aging, and AIDS/HIV. Students benefit directly from this research through a curriculum that blends state-of-the-art knowledge with proven practices.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has continuously accredited the school’s MSW Program since 1923. On top of that, it belongs to several key professional organizations:

• National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work
• Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors
• Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education

The school ranks as Indiana’s #1 social work employer, which shows its powerful influence in the field. Partnerships with over 2,700 practicum sites let students put their classroom learning to ground application.

The school’s educational philosophy prepares students to champion social and economic justice while helping people in need. Students learn an all-encompassing approach to handle complex challenges in practice settings of all types.

Money shouldn’t stop qualified students from getting a quality education. The school provides fellowships, research assistantships, institutionally-sponsored loans, scholarships, tuition waivers, and Federal Work-Study opportunities. These resources make education available to talented students whatever their financial situation.

The Indiana University School of Social Work combines historical excellence, convenient locations, diverse programs, and unwavering commitment to social justice. This powerful mix continues to reshape the scene of social work practice in Indiana and beyond.

Programs offered

Indiana University’s social work degree pathways create opportunities for students with different career goals and educational backgrounds. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program equips students with practical skills through hands-on training to enter the workforce. Students can choose from five accredited locations: Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, and South Bend.

The prestigious Master of Social Work (MSW) program lets students advance their practice through flexible formats. Students learn an “advanced generalist” curriculum that covers diversity, human rights, social justice, social policy, and organizational practice. The program offers two paths:

• Regular Standing MSW – Students with any accredited undergraduate degree can complete this 60-credit program
• Advanced Standing MSW – BSW graduates from accredited institutions can fast-track through this 41-credit program

The MSW Direct online program, officially called the IU Online Master of Social Work, delivers a complete MSW experience through 100% asynchronous online learning. This digital format maintains campus-based program standards while giving students exceptional flexibility. Unlike most nationwide programs, the online MSW doesn’t use a cohort model, so students can take classes at their own pace.

Students can specialize in five focus areas: Military Social Work, e-Social Work, Telebehavioral Health Social Work, Mental Health, and Addictions. IU leads innovation with the nation’s first e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate that online MSW students can earn within their regular degree timeline.

The MSW program structure includes Foundational Courses (19 credits, waived for advanced standing students), Concentration Courses (26 credits), and Focus Area Courses (15 credits). Students learn Research, Social Policy Analysis, Clinical Theory and Practice, and Community and Global Theory in core classes. Regular standing students complete 960 hours of field practicums across multiple placements.

Indianapolis hosts Indiana’s only PhD in Social Work program. This doctoral program shapes future educators, researchers, and leaders in social work.

Students can also pursue dual degrees that combine the MSW with either a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Juris Doctor (JD), creating strong interdisciplinary career paths.

About the online program

Indiana University’s top-ranked Master of Social Work program offers a new online pathway through MSW Direct. The Indiana University MSW online option gives students great flexibility with its unique approach to course scheduling and program structure, setting it apart from other similar programs.

The IU MSW online program is different from the traditional cohort model. Students can take classes based on their schedule instead of following a fixed sequence with the same group. The program makes most courses available every semester, which lets students adjust their degree plan around life changes and new responsibilities. Students can pause their studies as needed, provided they finish their degree within six years.

Working professionals and people with packed schedules will find the program’s 100% asynchronous online instruction ideal. All the same, students get structured learning from faculty who specialize in teaching online courses. Students complete their field practicums—a vital part of social work education—at local health services agencies and receive dedicated support throughout placement.

Students learn through an advanced generalist approach that focuses on Clinical and Community Practice. This complete foundation gives them broad knowledge to work across social work’s spectrum and qualify for licensure in both micro and macro-level practice. The specialized focus areas include military social work, e-social work, telebehavioral health social work, mental health, and addictions.

Students who choose the IU MSW online program have a chance to earn the e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate without adding extra time to their degree. This certificate is the first of its kind nationwide from a social work school and prepares students for virtual social services’ growing field.

The Indiana University MSW online program keeps the same high standards and CSWE accreditation as its campus-based version. The program delivers:

• High-quality MSW education delivered entirely online
• Flexibility to complete your degree on your own schedule
• Support from faculty experienced in online teaching methods
• Field placement assistance
• Chance to earn specialized certificates

Students must complete the online program within five years. This program fits perfectly with a busy life while preparing students for their next professional step. Students who value convenience and flexibility will find this fully online program an excellent path to advanced social work practice.

Accreditation

Quality markers matter a lot in social work education programs, especially when you’re looking at Indiana University’s MSW online program. The Master of Social Work program at Indiana University has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program is 100 years old, with continuous CSWE accreditation since 1923. This makes it one of the nation’s longest-accredited social work programs.

The accreditation works as a single unified credential at all Indiana University locations that offer social work programs. Students get the same quality education at Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend, or through the MSW Direct online format. The online MSW programs (MSW Direct) have similar CSWE accreditation as campus-based programs. Your online degree meets the same quality benchmarks.

Indiana University’s social work programs have shown a steadfast dedication to meeting national standards. The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) reviews programs nationwide with complete data. This helps them check if programs follow the set standards. They assess student learning outcomes in multiple practice areas. CSWE requires accredited programs to share these results widely.

CSWE accreditation means more than just prestige. Social work professionals need to graduate from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for licensure. Only CSWE-accredited program graduates can get social work licenses in Indiana and most other states. This path to licensure helps advance careers and gain professional recognition.

The CSWE reviews curriculum, field education experiences, and student outcomes regularly. These full reviews help maintain excellence as programs adapt to meet current practice needs. Whatever format you choose, your Indiana University MSW education meets national standards for professional social work practice.

You can get more details about accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education at their Alexandria, Virginia headquarters. The CSWE is the main authority on social work education quality in the United States. Their approval is a great way to get confidence when choosing between programs.

Admission Requirements

Getting into Indiana University’s MSW online program isn’t a walk in the park. The school makes its choices based on your academic history, work experience, and personal qualities. You’ll need to meet specific criteria and submit several documents.

Here’s what you need to qualify for the program:

• An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A background in liberal arts education
• At least six completed courses in social or behavioral sciences (this includes social work, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, human services, political science, government, criminal justice, and languages)[141]
• A college-level math course or its equivalent[141]
• The ability to think critically and communicate well in writing[141]

Different sources say different things about GPA requirements. One document suggests a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for your final 60 credit hours. The official bulletin states that past academic performance is just one of many factors in admission decisions.

Your application must include these items:

• Official transcripts from every school you’ve attended
• Two recommendation letters from academic or professional sources[122]
• A writing sample and personal statement (no more than five pages, double-spaced)
• Professional resume

Good news – domestic applicants don’t need to take the GRE or MAT. International students have extra requirements like English proficiency tests and proof of financial support.

BSW graduates looking for advanced standing must have their degree from a CSWE-accredited program. Some sources say this degree should be from the last five years, though not all documents mention this timeframe.

The school looks at qualities that make a good social worker during the admission process. It’s worth mentioning that the School of Social Work won’t admit anyone with convictions for sex offenses against children to any social work program[141].

The school reviews applications as they come in, so earlier submissions have an advantage. They look beyond grades to assess candidates, including their dedication to social justice and community service.

Tuition

The Indiana University MSW online program’s tuition costs depend on several factors that create different financial scenarios for students. Your expenses change based on your credit hours each term, so costs can vary between semesters. Your academic program details, residency status, and course selection also affect the total cost.

Students starting in the 2024-2025 academic year will see different rates. Indiana residents pay $10,762 for tuition and mandatory fees. The cost is much higher for out-of-state students at $34,891 for the same period. These numbers cover basic educational expenses, but there’s more to the full financial picture.

You’ll need to plan for these additional expenses:

The total estimated yearly cost reaches $28,656 for in-state students living on campus and $29,932 for off-campus residents. Out-of-state students should expect to pay $53,258 and $54,534 respectively.

The good news is that about 90% of students get some type of financial help. The university provides several ways to manage your educational costs. These include fellowships without service requirements, research and teaching assistantships, and various student academic appointments. Many positions come with stipends, health insurance benefits, and tuition waivers.

IU offers many financial support options during your graduate studies. Some departments provide tuition remission among other types of aid. You might also qualify for graduate assistantships that combine work and educational benefits.

The Office of the Bursar’s webpage lets you calculate current tuition and fees based on your situation before you make final decisions. International students should check with the Office of International Affairs for specific details about their tuition options.

Additional Information

Indiana University’s MSW online students get complete support that goes beyond regular classes. The school pairs students with dedicated advisors who help create academic plans and guide career growth. These advisors spend time to know what you need and work with you on course plans, career dreams, and any roadblocks in your studies.

Getting your professional license stays a top focus during your time at IU. The school’s CSWE accreditation means its programs meet the education needs for LBSW, LSW, LCSW, and LCAC licenses in Indiana. The school also helps students who want licenses in other states by showing them the way through specific state rules.

Top academic work gets special recognition through several honors. Students with excellent grades can make the Dean’s List, earn Distinction honors, and join the Phi Alpha Honor Society. The school gives awards to senior MSW students who shine in service, scholarship, and research.

Students in the MSW Direct online program get both schedule freedom and strong career help. The school assists with field placement matches, and students can earn the groundbreaking e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate without adding extra time to their degree. This certificate, which no other social work school offered before, gives you special skills for the growing world of virtual services.