Indiana is home to eight MSW programs. Of the available options, six of them are traditional, campus-based programs, while two of them offer online MSW programs (either online only or hybrid options).
If you are looking for an MSW program in Indiana, check out the full school listings below, which provide the latest program highlights, tuition information, and other relevant details designed to help you compare and contrast degree options.
In this guide- Online MSW listings
- MSW programs listings
- MSW overview
- Online MSW overview
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social work salaries
- Career outlook
- Expert advice
Online MSW Programs in Indiana
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Richmond, New Albany, Gary, Bloomington & West Lafayette, IN
Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $624 in state | $741 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Addictions, Advanced Generalist, Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Health, Management or Administration, Mental Health, School Social Work
Dual Degree Options: Law
Program Highlights:- Students can complete IU’s e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate without adding time to their degree plan
- The program is not cohort-based, so students can stop out anytime as long as they complete the degree in six years
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, INCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $559
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Includes internship elements that allow students to get hands-on experience in their area of interest
- Free licensure preparation
- Smaller class sizes with smaller clinical and field courses to maximize learning and support
MSW Programs in Indiana
Ball State University
Muncie, INCredits: 57
Cost per credit: $451 in state | $1233 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- "Offers specific coursework and hands-on training in:
- Health
- Addictions
- Gerontology"
- Program is designed to meet the needs of working adults and those who live outside of city limits
- Students work and study in state-of-the-art simulation labs, professional clinics, and technology-rich classrooms
- "Offers specific coursework and hands-on training in:
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, INCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $450 in state | $885 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
Program Highlights:- Focuses on the promotion of social, economic, and environmental justice and on the development of competent and skilled clinical social work professionals
- Emphasis in rural practice throughout all course work.
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Richmond, New Albany, Gary, Bloomington & West Lafayette, INCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $494 in state | $1057 out of state (Indiana Partner: $741)
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Addictions, Advanced Generalist, Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Health, Management or Administration, Mental Health, School Social Work
Dual Degree Options: Law
Program Highlights:- Learn broad knowledge to work across social work’s continuum and be licensed for both micro- and macro-level practice
- "Focus areas:
- Children, Youth and Families
- Health
- School Social Work
- Community and Organizational Leadership
- Mental Health & Addictions
- Special Practice Areas in Social Work"
- Offers e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate (the first program of its kind in the nation to be delivered by a school of social work.)
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, INCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $559
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Students can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years through 4+1 program
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, INCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $664
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Addictions, Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Health, Mental Health, School Social Work
Certification: Gerontology
Program Highlights:- Small program size allows students to work closely with faculty
- Opportunities for community outreach and collaboration with UIndy’s health sciences and psychology programs
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, INCredits: 61
Cost per credit: $433 in state | $848 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Addictions, Clinical or Direct Practice, Health, Mental Health
Dual Degree Options: Public Administration
Certification: Addictions
Program Highlights:- Specialized field placements in areas like children and adolescents, geriatrics, medical social work, hospice, veteran services or psychiatric care
- Global Social Work Elective Option that offers an outstanding service learning opportunity in Jamaica
- Able to practice in a variety of settings like mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, employee assistance programs or residential treatment facilities
MSW programs overview
An MSW program is just as valuable in Indiana as it is anywhere else. As with other states, students will want to concentrate on an MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or CSWE. These programs are approved and accredited because they possess a certain amount of rigor and academic merit, as well as being up-to-date in terms of social work practices and ideas.SWE-accredited programs will include:
- up-to-date and modern classes that focus on concepts students will need in order to practice social work in clinical contexts
- other classes that allow students to specialize in one or more social work disciplines. Indiana social workers will want to focus on child and family care classes because of the issues affecting the state at large
- all MSW programs will also include opportunities for clinical experiences. These practical hours will need to be accrued over time in order to acquire social work licensure. Note that MSW programs don’t include all of the required hours for licensure, only some
- most MSW programs will also allow students to pursue electives to round out their education to their liking
Although Indiana isn’t as metropolitan a state as California or Massachusetts, there are still plenty of other MSW and other graduate programs available.
For instance, Indiana University offers a CSWE-accredited program at multiple campuses in cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Bloomington. This social work program includes 980 hours of field education. Those with some social work credits under their belts can take advantage of advanced standing admission, meaning they can complete the degree at a more rapid pace.
Students may also wish to check out the University of Southern Indiana. Located in Evansville, this program focuses on clinical social work and can help students specialize in areas like veteran services, mental health, and healthcare.
The program can be completed with either part-time or full-time schedules depending on your needs. More importantly, the University includes the Center for Social Justice Education, making it a prime school for modern-minded young students interested in global issues and international social work opportunities.
Online MSW programs overview
Online MSW programs are preferred by many modern social work students because of their flexibility. Many of these programs can be completed part-time, allowing you to finish your social work education while balancing a busy work or family life at home. Furthermore, online MSW programs allow you to complete your social work education after moving to Indiana if you prefer to finish your schooling at a university in your prior state of residence.
Programs specific to Indiana include the online MSW offered by Indiana University. This MSW program comes with an advanced generalist curriculum, meaning it’s a versatile degree offering perfect for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work. A specialized Child Welfare Education and Training partnership is available and includes in-depth learning opportunities for future social workers who will focus their careers primarily on helping kids and their families.
How to become a social worker in Indiana
Social workers in Indiana must meet the requirements set out by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. There are three types of social work credentials you can acquire.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
This beginner’s certificate is perfect if you have a BSW from an accredited program. It allows holders to practice non-clinical social work in Indiana.
- Start by submitting your application to the Association of Social Work Board, which costs $50. You can also apply for a temporary permit for $25, which allows you to practice as a non-clinical social worker for up to a year while you pass the exam
- Complete a required criminal background check
- Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s exam, which costs $230 and is comprised of 170 multiple-choice questions
- Receive your license if you pass the exam
Licensed Social Worker
This credential requires you to hold an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. It’ll let you practice non-clinical social work and is mostly seen as a stepping stone to the next type of credential.
- Submit your application to the Board and pay the $50 fee
- Complete the criminal background check
- Pass the ASWB Master’s exam, which costs $230 and is comprised of 170 multiple-choice questions
- You’ll receive your license if you pass the exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
This final type of social work license is required to practice social work in a clinical context and by yourself. You must have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and have completed the required practical experience hours (see below).
- Obtain the required practical experience and apply to the ASWB. Pay the $50 application fee
- Complete the criminal background check required
- Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam, which costs $260 and which has 170 multiple-choice questions
- Receive your license if you complete the exam
Social work license requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board outlines the requirements necessary for a social work clinical license.
You must complete 3,000 hours of full-time and supervised clinical social work experience over two years. You must additionally meet with an LCSW for four hours per month for supervision during this two-year period.
If you complete or have completed a doctoral internship that includes clinical social work, those hours can be applied to this total.
Note that Indiana social workers must renew their licenses every two years. 20 hours of continuing education must additionally be completed every year. 10 hours per year have to come from “formal programming,” like courses, workshops, and seminars. The other 10 hours per year come from self-directed learning activities. Furthermore, one CE credit every year has to come from a topic focusing on ethics.
Social worker salary in Indiana
Social worker salaries in Indiana are best understood by looking at data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data is broken down into four broad categories for social workers:
- Child, family, and school social workers earn an average annual salary of $45,520 per year and an hourly wage of $21.89. These are also the most numerous social workers in the state, numbering 7,660.
- Healthcare social workers earn a little more with an average salary of $56,460 per year and an hourly wage of $27.14. There are around 5,070 in the state at this time.
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers are much rarer at only 1,150 in the state. They earn an annual salary of $49,460 and an hourly wage of $23.78.
- All other social workers earn the highest annual salary of $70,000 per year and an hourly wage of $33.66. But they’re also the rarest type of social worker, numbering only 390.
Compared to the national salary for social workers everywhere else ($50,470 per year), it’s clear that Indiana social workers can expect average pay in most cases. Indiana is a state with a relatively low cost of living (though this is dependent on your exact living arrangements).
The most numerous type of social workers in Indiana (child, family, and school) make a little less than the national average. But opportunities for promotion can often lead to increases, particularly as the need for social workers increases.
Job outlook for social workers in Indiana
Social workers everywhere in the country will be required with increasing regularity as the years go on. The BLS indicates that over 80,000 new social workers will be needed in the US by 2028, with several thousands of these being needed in Indiana if population projections remain the same.
As with most other states, aspiring social workers will find the most success in locating a new job in the major cities like Indianapolis and Cincinnati’s metro area (even though the city is in Ohio). All in all, Indiana will likely continue to provide decent job opportunities for social workers in the near future, particularly in areas like child and family development and therapy.
Career Advice
Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in Indiana. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Indiana?
- What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Indiana?
- What does the future of social work look like in Indiana?
- What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Indiana?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Indiana?