All prospective social workers must first gain a social work degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to become licensed as a social worker in Indiana. Social work schools in Indiana are located across the state and offer many options to meet state licensure qualifications at either the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) level. Whether you are interested in developing your social work career in micro, mezzo, or macro level practice, Indiana social work schools offer something for everyone. This summary will help you understand your options, including the 100% online MSW program offered by Indiana University.

Quick Facts

• 21 schools offering social work programs in Indiana are in our database (see below)
• Of the social work schools in Indiana, 1 offers associate’s degrees or certificates, 19 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 5 offer a master’s or advanced degree¹
• 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
• 3 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
• 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs⁴
• Across 15 schools, 20 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Indiana are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)⁵

Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Indiana

Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges

• Indiana University Bloomington (#33 in-state, #86 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs

• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (#30 tie)
• Indiana State University (#88 tie)
• University of Southern Indiana (#174 tie)

Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs

• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE

• Anderson University
• Ball State University
• Goshen College
• Huntington University
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University
• Indiana Wesleyan University
• Manchester University
• Purdue University Northwest
• Saint Mary’s College
• Taylor University
• University of Indianapolis
• University of Saint Francis
• University of Southern Indiana
• Valparaiso University

Schools in Indiana with Social Work Degree Programs

BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs

Ball State University

Ball State University, located in Muncie, prides itself on its commitment to entrepreneurial learning, community engagement, and technology in the classroom. In 2016, it was ranked #91 among national public universities by US News & World Report. BSU’s College of Sciences and Humanities has a CSWE-accredited BSW program that prepares students for generalist practice with individuals, groups, and communities. The program can be completed in either four years with summers off or in three years through accelerated studies by taking classes during the summer term. During the program, students attend classes in liberal arts and social theory, practice, research, and policy to meet the university’s Core Curriculum requirements and the standards of the CSWE. Students interested in a career in child welfare practice may complete the school’s Child Welfare Training Program, developed in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Child Services to provide many additional training and employment opportunities.

Huntington University

Huntington University is a private Christian liberal arts school located in northeast Indiana. It was ranked #16 among regional universities in the Midwest by US News & World Report in 2016. Huntington’s Social Work Department offers a CSWE-accredited BSW program developed around the concept of “Globally Aware/Locally Active” and aims to teach students about global social justice and social welfare issues in local and religious contexts. All students take classes on social work theory, practice, policy, intercultural competence, and human behavior. Students must also complete a job shadow experience to see the day-to-day activities of a social worker firsthand. Prospective social work majors must apply to Huntington College and complete two years of study, including social work prerequisites, before officially applying to the degree program in the sophomore year. Field education placements are completed in the final term and must include at least 480 hours of supervised generalist practice. Field education placements are available in many different areas of practice and in both religious and secular social service organizations across Indiana.

MSW and Other Graduate Programs

Indiana University

The School of Social Work at Indiana University was founded in 1911 and offers a CSWE-accredited MSW program at various campuses across the state including Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Fort Wayne. The university’s social work graduate school was ranked #26 in the US by US News & World Report in 2016. The program offers advanced learning opportunities for either micro or macro level practice. During the program, students complete 320 hours of field education in the first year and 640 hours of field education in the second year. Advanced standing admission, which reduces the amount of time needed to complete the degree, is available for individuals with an accredited BSW obtained in the last five years. A fully online MSW program is also available and is open to students across the United States. The online MSW has an advanced generalist curriculum and also accepts students through the advanced standing process. Candidates who intend to specialize in child welfare practice may be interested in the university’s specialized Indiana Child Welfare Education and Training Partnership, which features in-depth learning opportunities.

University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana is a public institution located in Evansville. The school’s CSWE-accredited MSW program has a clinical focus and prepares students to work in clinical settings such as health care, mental health, schools, or veteran services. The USI Social Work Department program can be completed either full-time during the day or part-time in the evenings for those who have a recently awarded CSWE-accredited BSW degree. Students without an accredited social work degree must apply to the two-year, full-time day program. In 2009 the school established the Center for Social Justice Education, which develops advocacy and research partnerships related to local and global social justice issues. Individuals with an interest in global issues may also be interested in the international social work opportunities available through the university’s partnership with International Orphanage Relief in Jamaica, which fulfills certain elective credits. The university also offers an accredited BSW program.

Accreditation Information for Indiana Social Work Schools

*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.

Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Directory of Indiana Social Work School Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Anderson University*
1100 E 5th St
Anderson, IN 46012-3495
(765) 649-9071
http://www.anderson.edu

Ball State University*
2000 University Ave
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 289-1241
http://www.bsu.edu

Goshen College*
1700 S Main St
Goshen, IN 46526-4794
(574) 535-7000

Huntington University*
2303 College Ave
Huntington, IN 46750
(260) 356-6000
http://www.huntington.edu

Indiana State University*
210 N 7th St
Terre Haute, IN 47809
(812) 237-6311
http://www.indstate.edu

Indiana University-East
2325 Chester Blvd
Richmond, IN 47374-1289
(765) 973-8200
http://www.iue.edu/

Indiana University-Northwest
3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408-1197
(219) 980-6500
http://www.iun.edu

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis*
425 University Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5143
(317) 274-5555
http://www.iupui.edu

Indiana Wesleyan University*
4201 S Washington St
Marion, IN 46953-4974
(765) 674-6901
http://www.indwes.edu

Manchester University*
604 E College Ave
North Manchester, IN 46962
(260) 982-5000
http://www.manchester.edu

Purdue University-North Central Campus
1401 S US Hwy 421
Westville, IN 46391-9542
(219) 785-5200
http://www.pnw.edu

Student Review: “I think my overall academic experience in the social work program was very good. I feel a sense of purpose by being a part of the program. The work we do as social workers really makes a difference in the lives of others as well as the world. At the time the program was grueling but at the same time very rewarding. There were a lot of long nights spent completing work for the program. Not all aspects of social work are pleasant and you will be dealing with people with real problems. Sometimes when I was dealing with tough issues I would like to remind myself that what I am doing is to help others and make their experiences as comfortable and easy as possible. I am very excited for the work I will be doing post social work and can’t wait to start making a difference immediately.” – Student at Purdue University

Saint Joseph’s College
1498 South College Ave
Rensselaer, IN 47978-0870
(219) 866-6000
http://www.saintjoe.edu

Saint Mary’s College*
133 Le Mans Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4000
http://www.saintmarys.edu

Taylor University*
236 W Reade Ave
Upland, IN 46989-1001
(765) 998-2751
https://www.taylor.edu

University of Indianapolis*
1400 E Hanna Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46227-3697
(317) 788-3368
http://www.uindy.edu

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne*
2701 Spring St
Fort Wayne, IN 46808-3994
(260) 399-7700
http://www.sf.edu

University of Southern Indiana*
8600 University Blvd
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 464-8600
http://www.usi.edu

Valparaiso University*
US Hwy 30 and Sturdy Rd
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5000

Vincennes University
1002 N First St
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 888-8888
http://www.vinu.edu

Wabash College
301 W Wabash Ave
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
(765) 361-6100
https://www.wabash.edu

Student Review: “All things considered, Wabash College’s social work program was a highly beneficial experience, which I feel gave me ample preparation for social work, both in a clinical setting and in other professional settings as well. The program was very fast-paced and intensive at times. This was often difficult and discouraging, but it did a good job of emulating the fast paced and unpredictable environment of social work careers. My professors were extremely supportive and were contacting me very frequently wanting to know how I was enjoying the curriculum and how I was progressing with various projects. I felt as though they were treating me as a human being and not a number. Though it was not required to participate in, activities outside of class such as social work internships in a clinical setting were highly encouraged. I found that doing internships and volunteer work like this was vital in building connections with workers in the field, since connecting with employers and alumni was not well facilitated in the program itself. I feel that this is something that could be improved upon. All together, this was a great program that started me on a definite career path.” – Student at Wabash College

Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4. Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx