The mission of the Indiana University School of Social Work is to educate students to be effective and knowledgeable professional social workers prepared for practice in the twenty-first century. Such practitioners are committed to the alleviation of poverty, oppression, and discrimination. The school is dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for all people, particularly the citizens of Indiana, and to the advancement of just social, political, and economic conditions through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Within the context of a diverse, multicultural, urbanized, global, and technologically oriented society, the school prepares social workers who will shape solutions to a wide range of interpersonal and social problems by developing and using knowledge critically while upholding the traditions, values, and ethics of the social work profession.

The teaching mission is to educate students to become professional social workers equipped for a lifetime of learning, scholarship, and service. Graduates embrace person-in-environment and strengths; perspectives that are linked to the welfare of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. They learn to keep abreast of advances in knowledge and technology, be self-reflective, and apply best practice and accountable models of intervention. The school prepares social work practitioners and scholars ready to assume leadership roles at the Master of Social Work level.

The scholarship mission includes the discovery, integration, application, dissemination, and evaluation of client-centered and solution-focused knowledge for and with social work professionals and other consumers. Innovative forms of scholarship are encouraged in developing knowledge for use in practice, education, and service concerning social needs and social problems.

The service mission is dedicated to the promotion of the general welfare of all segments of society. Service includes work in the school, university, profession, and community and reflects the school’s expertise in teaching, scholarship, and social work practice. Service in the interest of persons at greatest risk is consistent with the social work profession’s attention to social justice.

Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and society. For those who are interested in this professional commitment, social work offers a broad range of practice settings: community mental health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, employee assistance programs, family service agencies, and community service agencies. In addition, professional social workers serve as administrators of various social service agencies. They also work in all levels of government, education, and a number of social workers have assumed political or legislative careers. The education and training they receive in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides them with the skills they need to choose a career within the broad area of social work.

Professional social work education requires the ability to undertake a rigorous program of classroom and field study. The school seeks to admit persons who have demonstrated competency through their academic and work achievements and who give evidence of commitment to working toward the well-being of others and the betterment of social conditions. It also seeks to provide an ethnically and regionally diversified student body. Admission to the Indiana University School of Social Work is program specific.

The Indiana University School of Social Work, at the South Bend campus offers a part-time evening program culminating in the Master of Social Work degree. The entire 60 hours are available on the South Bend campus for those interested in the interpersonal practice concentration. Transfer to the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis campus is available to those wishing to finish the last 30 concentration credit hours in macro practice or other concentrations not offered on this campus. These include child welfare, health, and family services.

The following prerequisites are the minimum requirements for consideration for admission to the MSW program:

Applications will be accepted for consideration any time after September 1 for the following academic year. Preference will be given to those applications received by February 1. The school uses a modified rolling admissions policy. It is advisable to submit your complete application packet to the School of Social Work well in advance of the priority date of February 1. Applications received after the February 1 deadline will be processed and notifications will be made as space is available.

To remain in good academic standing, students will be expected to perform at or above the following:

The part-time evening program allows students the flexibility of evening classes and to progress at a slower pace than the more traditional full-time program. This program begins in the second summer session of each year, and students first complete the foundation year courses. Following completion of the foundation year, students move to the concentration year sequence.

The Master of Social Work program consists of 60 credit hours of study and field work. The first 30 credit hours are core courses taken by all students, while the second 30 credit hours provide a concentration in interpersonal practice.

Although the school values the knowledge gained from life experience, no credit can be given for this. Thus, the overall objectives of the first (foundation) year of the Master of Social Work program include development of:

The overall objectives of the second (concentration) year include development of more advanced competence in interpersonal practice, mental health, and addictions practice.

Both the foundation and the concentration years of the Master of Social Work program include field practicum courses with field instructors who meet the standards of the school. A student in the program is required to have field instruction in two different agency settings. Placements are made both in South Bend and in various locations throughout the state. Field practicum is construed as a continuing process. Students in placement agencies are expected to meet professional service responsibilities. Students in field practicum will follow the work schedule of their field agencies during holiday periods and/or semester recess.

The school is responsible for arranging the field placements of the students. Attention is given to the student’s learning needs, professional goals, and interests. Field instruction is available only to students who have been admitted as candidates for the Master of Social Work degree.

A total of 960 clock hours of practicum are required, with 320 hours in the foundation year and 640 hours in the concentration year. Practica are concurrent with course work.

The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 1725 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3457, (703) 683-8080.

Career information about employment is available by calling (574) 520-4464 or by contacting the program director at IU South Bend, Post Office Box 7111, South Bend, Indiana 46634-7111.

Students are encouraged to join and participate in the activities of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW).

Students may take between one and three electives, only one of which can be taken outside of the Master of Social Work program.

            For specific degree requirements for admission into the program click here.