Social Work Degree (BSW) | Indiana State University

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Indiana State?

As a social work major at Indiana State University, you will learn to work professionally with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to help enhance individuals’ opportunities and quality of life.

Helping Others

The purpose of a social work career, as described by the Council on Social Work Education, is to promote the well-being of people and communities, and to pursue social and economic justice for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our Bachelor of Social Work program prepares you for entry-level generalist practice or graduate studies.

Indiana State is also one of four universities in Indiana to offer the Indiana Child Welfare Scholars Program. You may apply during your junior year. Learn to help others improve their lives with a social work degree from Indiana State.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Indiana State's experienced instructors serve as guides and mentors for students entering the social work profession through our Bachelor of Social Work program. They will equip you to broaden your perspectives, think critically, apply relevant theories, and develop the empathy and interpersonal skills needed to engage with people of all backgrounds.

Our small class sizes give you the chance to work one-on-one with professors. As you complete field practicum experiences, you will benefit from your instructors’ knowledge and experience as they advise you on best professional practices.

Gain Hands-On Experience in Our Rural Health Innovative Collaborative Simulation Center

Learn in realistic, simulated environments at our Rural Health Innovative Collaborative [RHIC] Simulation Center, a not-for-profit partnership between public and private organizations to advance health and wellness through interprofessional education and training. The RHIC replicates settings and situations in more than 30 health professions, including social work.

The RHIC was Indiana’s first simulation center to become accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Simulations allow social work graduate and undergraduate students to complement their coursework on professional competencies in engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

What You'll Learn in the Social Work Program

The BSW in social work provides a solid foundation and teaches relevant skills for a rewarding and impactful career in social services practice. You will learn about individual and group counseling, delivering human services, analyzing social welfare policy, facilitating community organization and development, supporting client advocacy, promoting social justice, and more. You can complete our social work bachelor’s degree program in four years of full-time study.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Career Possibilities for Social Work Majors

A bachelor’s degree in social work from Indiana State prepares you for a career as a generalist social work practitioner and related professions, and to pursue a master’s degree in social work or other professional programs. Social workers find employment in many settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare organizations, and schools.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment in social work occupations to grow nine percent from 2021 to 2031.

Alumna Supports Others

Social work alumna Katie Lugar (’15 BSW, ’16 MSW, ’22 D.H.Sc.) says clinical experiences in the BSW social work program helped her better understand health and healthcare in both a personal and professional way. Those opportunities strengthened her ability to serve others.

Learn more about Katie’s Sycamore experience.

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

In addition, the BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] and has a focus on clinical rural social work practice. The Program received its initial accreditation in 2012 and was reaffirmed in November 2019 for accreditation through 2027.

View outcome measures for the Bachelor of Social Work program at Indiana State University.