Indiana University’s accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in social work. Our curriculum prepares you for licensure by including cross-cutting, current practices such as trauma informed care and other evidence-based practices. Social work requires multi-dimensional, contextually aware, evidence-informed practice which is performed in a variety of multi-faceted practice arenas.
Live Your Passion
Key Features
Whether online or through one of our seven campus locations across the state, we’ve got you covered! Wherever you call home, you can complete our top-ranked MSW program.
Be prepared for licensure with our specialized curriculum. Our focus areas include behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse), children, youth and families, schools, and health. Other focus areas of interest are our, and community and organizational leadership practices, and eSocial Work.
Live your passion through supervised practicum experiences across a broad range of service organizations in your community.
Join our MSW program at IU to gain a comprehensive, holistic, and integrative education that enables you to make a difference.
7Campus Locations
100%Asynchronously Online
2Semester Accelerated Path
2700+Practicum Partners
Focus Areas
IU’s MSW is designed to teach you about the full range of social work practice. Our focus areas give you more knowledge in your chosen field.
Which focus area is your passion?
Behavioral health
Provides a holistic approach to mental health and substance misuse treatment and is designed to improve overall wellbeing.
Explore Behavioral HealthChildren, youth, and families
Improves the outcomes of children and families. You will be prepared to work with families experiencing risk and trauma through utilizing policies and services to address barriers.
Discover Children, youth, and familiesCommunity & Organizational Leadership
Facilitates working with non-government organizations (NGO). You will be able to identify and inform the macro role of communities and organizations in supporting individuals and families.
Explore Community & Organizational Leadership focusHealth
Encompasses practice in medical and healthcare settings to identify and address care needs beyond medical treatments.
Explore Health focusSchool Social Work
Addresses situational aspects that impact learning to better position children and youth for successful educational outcomes.
Uncover School Social WorkSpecial Practice Areas in Social Work
Provides a broad, adaptable framework for supporting diverse communities, allowing students to tailor coursework to their career goals.
Discover Special Practice Areas in Social Work
e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate
We offer the nation’s first telehealth social work certificate online, designed specifically for social workers. Telehealth is an important tool to remove barriers to accessing care. In this certificate, students will learn essential skills and techniques to deploy social work practice across virtual settings.
- 100% online
- Create better access to care
- Learn contemporary strategies for behavioral health car
Learn more about e-Social Work Practice Graduate Certificate
Human Services Management Certificate for Leadership Students
Become a manager and leader within a human service organizations faster! The Human Services Management Certificate provides external evidence that our Community and Organizational Leadership students have the competencies necessary to lead and manage organizations.
In addition to the courses currently required within the Leadership track, two additional courses are required:
- Effective Human Services Leadership for Organizational Success (IUSSW)
- The Principles and Techniques for Fundraising (Offered through the IU Indianapolis Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)
Dual Degree Programs
IU Social Work offers dual degree programs. Students who seek a dual degree program will benefit from the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills embedded in the program. Having a dual degree creates a strong foundation in multiple disciplines and enhances career opportunities for specific practice arenas.
Master of Public Health + MSW
The combined MPH-MSW creates a comprehensive, holistic approach to address health and social issues. This approach enables practitioners to address individual and community level problems effectively from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. With a strong foundation in both fields, professionals can advocate more effectively for policies and programs that improve health and social wellbeing. Overall, the dual degrees of MPH and MSW equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex social and health issues from multiple angles, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions.
Juris Doctorate (JD) + MSW
The combined JD and MSW are a powerful combination. With a JD, you can provide legal representation and advocacy, while an MSW allows you to offer direct social services and support. This dual expertise enables you to address both the legal and social aspects of complex issues. You can navigate legal systems and social services to create comprehensive solutions and tackle multifaceted problems more effectively. With a deep understanding of both legal and social issues, you can play a significant role in shaping and implementing policies that improve social and legal systems. For those passionate about making a significant impact, the dual degrees can provide a deeply rewarding career path, allowing you to effect change on multiple levels.
Overall, the combination of a JD and MSW provides a robust foundation for a career that can make a substantial difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
