Program Availability
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Indiana State University is a traditional, on-campus program offered on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. The program is open to U.S. and international applicants who satisfy admission requirements.
The MSW degree may be completed in two years on a full-time basis or in four years on a part-time basis. Applicants who qualify for admission to our MSW Advanced Standing degree option may complete the program in 18 months as a full-time student or in two years as a part-time student.
Why Earn a Master of Social Work Degree at Indiana State?
The Master of Social Work [MSW] graduate program at Indiana State University enhances your clinical knowledge and provides the specialized advocacy and intervention skills needed to effectively serve individuals and families in rural populations. An MSW can also create fulfilling professional opportunities in a variety of advanced clinical roles.
Learn More About Helping Others
In the Master of Social Work [MSW] program at Indiana State, you will prepare for advanced clinical practice through teaching, research, community service, and continuing education opportunities. The MSW program emphasizes social, economic, and environmental justice, with a specific focus on serving rural communities. You will work with individuals, families, and organizations to enhance opportunities, connect clients with important resources, and improve quality of life.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Social Work serve as guides and mentors for students entering the social work profession through the Master of Social Work program. Many of our faculty have received awards and recognition for their academic contributions, as well as for professional achievements in the profession.
With small classes and one-on-one mentorship, your professors will help you to broaden your perspectives, think critically, apply relevant theories, and build the empathy and interpersonal skills necessary to serve your social work clients effectively.
Gain Hands-On Experience in Our Rural Health Innovative Collaborative Simulation Center
The Rural Health Innovative Collaborative [RHIC] Simulation Center is 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 you to complement your coursework with hands-on experience involving psychomotor skills, communication techniques, and other relevant health topics. You will accelerate your learning by working alongside professional social work practitioners to gain practical experience in multiple clinical areas.
What You’ll Learn in the MSW Program
The MSW at Indiana State teaches relevant, advanced social work skills to support a rewarding, impactful career in social services practice. The program is 60 credit hours and includes opportunities to complete research projects in institutional, community, and rural mental health, addiction, and healthcare settings.
Coursework includes classes on human behavior; psychopathy in social work; rural social work practice; social work and addiction; families and couples therapy; palliative and end-of-life care; advanced clinical practice; social welfare policy; and other practicum and field-experience courses. You will also complete a culminating project involving a critical case-based analysis that pertains to a pressing rural social work issue and is reviewed by the graduate faculty committee.
Advanced Standing MSW Graduate Program
Indiana State’s Department of Social Work also offers an MSW Advanced Standing program, which may be completed in 18 months on a full-time basis or in two years on a part-time basis. The program enables students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program to be awarded credit for the first 23 hours of the MSW program.
The Advanced Standing program features 37 additional credit hours of required coursework including: psychopathy in social work; rural social work practice; advanced clinical practice; social work and addition; families and couples therapy; social work and health; palliative and end-of-life care; psychopharmacology; and other practicum and field-experience courses.
The Advanced Standing program also requires you to complete research projects in institutional, community, and rural mental health, addiction, and healthcare settings. It concludes with a culminating project in which you will conduct a critical case-based analysis that is focused on a pressing rural social work issue and reviewed by the graduate faculty committee.
You must receive a “B” grade or better in all courses and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the Advanced Standing program.
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Many students accepted into the MSW program receive some form of financial assistance, which is renewable each year. Scholarship awards that waive tuition and fees, exclusive of building and student service fees, are also available.
Career Possibilities for Social Work MSW Graduates
Master of Social Work students from Indiana State University possess the skills needed for successful careers as generalist social work practitioners and related professionals. Social workers are employed in many settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, community centers, development centers for persons with disabilities, family service agencies, hospices, hospitals, juvenile and adult corrections, mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, shelters for domestic violence victims, and schools.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7% growth in the social work job market from 2023 – 2033, higher than the national average.
Faculty support, rewarding internships, and culturally relevant courses
International MSW student Tamanda Chitalo made the decision to attend Indiana State University before even visiting campus. The MSW program’s accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education, and the graduate assistantship she was offered, convinced Tamanda that Indiana State was the right fit. Once on campus, she discovered supportive faculty, exciting internship opportunities, and relevant, interactive classes where she could share her perspectives and experiences as an international student.
Learn more about Tamanda Chitalo’s MSW experience.
In addition, the Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Admission Requirements and Application Instructions
All students seeking admission to the Master of Social Work program must apply to be accepted as a graduate student by Indiana State University and by the Department of Social Work. Students are selected based on academic background and additional materials specifically required by the MSW program.
The Master of Social Work program at Indiana State University accepts applications for Fall enrollment no later than February 4. Applications for the Advanced Standing MSW program are due by January 14. Following review of the application materials, applicants will be contacted for MSW admission interviews.
The minimum requirement for MSW admission is the completion of psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, criminal justice, statistics, and social work courses in a bachelor’s degree program.
Additionally, in the Advanced Standing MSW program, applicants must demonstrate satisfactory completion of a 400-hour generalist field placement in direct practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities under appropriate social work supervision. They also must meet the social work foundational-level course requirements and have their transcripts evaluated by the MSW Admissions Committee.
Finally, applicants to the MSW – Advanced Standing program must submit their BSW final field evaluation or letter from their BSW field practicum agency supervisor and a letter of reference written by a full-time faculty member from their undergraduate social work program.
Applicants are considered for admission based on academic background and other materials submitted with the application. International students must submit satisfactory Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other accepted English proficiency scores.
How to Apply
Complete the online GradCAS application for graduate admission to the MSW program.
Submit your nonrefundable application fee as part of your GradCAS application.
Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate coursework at the time of your application. International applicants must submit academic records from every secondary and post-secondary institution attended, and you may be required to submit additional documentation to ensure full evaluation. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the college attended to: Graduate Admissions, Indiana State University, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809. E-transcripts should be sent to admissions@indstate.edu. (Students who have previously attended Indiana State University do not need to have their transcripts sent to Graduate Admissions. We already have access to transcripts from Indiana State.)
For international students, we do accept credential evaluation reports from these select members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
You will be asked to upload the following documents as part of your application.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Three letters of reference. For students applying to the Advanced Standing MSW program, additional references related to field placements are required.
- Statement of purpose describing your interest in Indiana State’s MSW program; interest in rural social work; interest in mental health, addiction, and health-related services; and your professional goals in social work.
- Criminal background check.
- Submit a self-disclosure statement disclosing any criminal history.
International students are asked to provide additional materials, including:
Test scores demonstrating English proficiency per University requirements.
Accepted tests include TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. Official test score reports must be sent directly from the testing center to: Indiana State University, Graduate Admissions, Welcome Center, 318 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN, 47809.
- Relevant pages (picture info) from your passport or government-issued ID.
- Proof of financial support[KL1] if an admission is received.
(Designer note: The “Proof of financial support” piece was a D7 pdf link. We have exported the file and it is included in the content folder. It probably needs to be available to download.)
See important additional information about applying as an international student.
Next Steps
Once admitted, you will receive a notification from the University and will be provided your University ID number, which is needed to activate your University username on the MyISU Portal. The Portal offers access to online registration, University records, and other important services, including e-mail and University announcements.
Deadlines
The Master of Social Work program accepts applications for fall enrollment by February 4. Applications for the Advanced Standing MSW program are due by January 14. Following the review of the application materials, applicants will be contacted for MSW admission interviews.
All materials must be received by the deadlines. Applications and supporting materials received after the deadlines will not be considered for admission.
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Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor's
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School Counseling (MEd)
Master's
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School Psychology PsyD
Doctoral