Obtaining a Master of Social Work in Indiana

Considering a Master of Social Work Programs in Indiana? Here’s All You Need to Know

Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you feel called to make a difference in your community and the state of Indiana? If so, one of the best ways to influence the lives of others for the better in the State of Indiana is to work as a social worker.

Indiana is feeling the strain of drug abuse and is in great need of social workers specifically because of the opioid crisis. Michael Patchner, Dean of Indiana University{target=”blank”} – Purdue University Indianapolis School of Social Work explains, “The demand for social workers has always been high, but it is particularly true now. There are workforce shortages in the state in mental health and addictions, in child welfare and medical social work.”

With drug addiction, the addicts need help, but their children also need assistance as their parents are incapable of taking care of them. Therefore, the need for social workers is critical in states such as Indiana where drug addiction is reaching grave levels.

Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics{target=”blank”} indicates that the job growth for social workers will grow at a much faster rate than other occupations. According to the BLS, overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026.

There are four general area of social work: child and family social workers, school social workers, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance abuse social workers. In Indiana, there is a great need for mental health, addiction, child welfare, and medical social workers. As discussed, the current opioid epidemic goes beyond the need for substance abuse social workers.

Therefore, MSW programs in Indiana are available to help you earn the degree and enter this career field with the knowledge you need to make a difference.

Why enroll in an accredited MSW program in Indiana?

If you hope to pursue a career in social work in Indiana, you must earn a Master of Social Work. Additionally, if you have aspirations of moving into a clinical setting or counseling, you will need to have earned an MSW and hold a Licensed Master Social Work License (LMSW). Fortunately, there are several outstanding MSW programs in Indiana, as well as Online MSW programs in Indiana or open to students in Indiana.

In addition to the reports of the high demand for social workers in Indiana, or those with an MSW, there are over 200 job postings for individuals with an MSW on sites such as Indeed. Again, these are positions open specifically for individuals who have earned a Master of Social Work and are licensed social workers.

While earning an MSW from an accredited program will lead to licensure, it will also lead to a pay bump. According to the National Association of Social Workers{target=”blank”} (NASW), those with a BSW should only expect to earn around $30,000. However, BLS{target=”blank”} reports the median annual wages for those with an MSW as of May 2017 is $47,980 – a significant pay raise compared to those with a BSW. In comparison, licensed social workers in Indiana are paid close to the national average. Indeed reports an average salary range of $49,661 – $52,855 in Indiana; Glassdoor reports an average salary of $49,587 in Indiana; and, PayScale reports an average salary of $43,494 for Indianapolis, Indiana.

Overview of accredited MSW programs in Indiana

To become a licensed social worker, you must pass the social work licensing Association of Social Work Board{target=”blank”} (ASWB) exam. Only those who have earned a degree from a Council on Social Work Education{target=”blank”} (CSWE) accredited social work program may take this required exam. Therefore, if you p{target=”blank”}lan to enroll in traditional graduate courses in Indiana, it is important to enroll in one of the three MSW programs in Indiana that are CSWE accredited.

Indiana State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition – Fall 2018 Graduate School Tuition – $412.00 per credit hour
Initial Accreditation Date: 2012
Latest Accreditation Review Date: June 2015

Indiana University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition – Approximately $1,324.50 per 3 credit hours
Initial Accreditation Date: 1923
Latest Accreditation Review Date: February 2013
Indiana University is convenient for those seeking MSW programs near Indianapolis.

University of Southern Indiana{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $367.68 per credit hour
Initial Accreditation Date: 1995
Latest Accreditation Review Date: June 2011
University of Southern Indiana is convenient for those seeking MSW programs near Evansville.

Overview of accredited online MSW programs approved to operate in Indiana

If you are considering online MSW programs in Indiana or for online programs in other states that are open to individuals living in Indiana, here is a comprehensive list of CSWE accredited online MSW programs.

Arizona State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $512 – $1,312 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

Boise State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — Approximately $17,865-$18,165
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Individuals and Families

Boston University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — Financial aid is available. For tuition information, contact an admission representative at 877-308-9945
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Clinical Social Work Practice and Macro Social Work Practice

California State University, Northridge{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — Total Tuition to Degree is $39,186-45,120
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Urban Family Studies

Campbellsville University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $559 per course
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist/Christian perspective

Capella University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — Total Tuition to Degree is $36,360–$43,935
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

Case Western Reserve University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $1,450 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Community Practice & Social Change and Direct Practice (Child, Youth, & Families or Mental Health/Adults)

Catholic University of America{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — check the website URL
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Clinical

Columbia University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $1,504 per credit
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Advanced Clinical Practice or Social Enterprise Administration

Delaware State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $438.00 Per Credit Hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $605.00 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Family Social Work Practice

Indiana University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — In-state residents pay $541.00 per credit hour/Out-of-state residents pay $675.00 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

Louisiana State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $539 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No

New Mexico State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $364.68 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

Our Lady of the Lake University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $889 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Direct Practice with Hispanic Children and Families

Portland State University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $630.00 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Practice and Leadership in Communities and Organizations

Rutgers University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $900 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Clinical Social Work

Simmons College{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition – Total cost of degree is $68,900
On-campus visit required? Yes
Specialized practice areas: Clinical Social Work, specialized areas in mental health and substance abuse; Child and Family Welfare; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; and Health and Aging

Tulane University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $1,057 per credit
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Traditional, Disaster Mental Health and Trauma Studies, Family Practice

University at Buffalo{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $713 per credit for New York residents and $777.03 per credit for non-residents
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective

University of Arkansas{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $420.19 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Multi-System Life Course

University of Central Florida{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $487.45 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No

University of Denver{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $947 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Mental Health and Trauma

University of Houston{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — See University of Houston’s Academic Calculator{target=”blank”}
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Clinical with optional emphasis in health and behavioral health

University of Illinois of Urbana – Champaign{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition – Base rate of $473 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? Macro program fully online and clinical program mostly online
Specialized practice areas: Leadership and Social Change, Mental Health, Health Care, Children, Youth, and Family Services, Schools

University of Louisville{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $714 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Military Social Work, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Gerontology, Mental Health Counseling, and Psychology Oncology

University of Nevada, Reno{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $350 per credit for residents/$700 per credit for non-residents
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

University of New England{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $890 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Individual, Family, & Group Practice (clinical-based) and Organizational and Community Practice (policy-based)

University of New Hampshire{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $770/$845 per credit
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Advanced Generalist

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — Use the Tuition Estimator{target=”blank”} for rates
On-campus visit required? Yes
Specialized practice areas: Direct Practice and Community, Management, and Policy Practice

University of South Florida{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition – Contact the school at 813-974-9416 for tuition information
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice area: Clinical Social Work Practice

University of Southern California{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $1,800 is the per credit hour for students enrolled in 1–14 units.
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Adult mental health and wellness, Children, youth and families, Social change and innovation

University of Tennessee at Knoxville{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $6,542 per semester for residents/$15,751 per semester for non-residents
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Clinical or Macro (Management, Leadership, and Community Practice)

Walden University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $560 per quarter hour
On-campus visit required? Yes
Specialized practice areas: Advanced Clinical Practice, Military Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, and Social Work with Children and Families

Western New Mexico University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $ 992.31 per 3 credit hours
On-campus visit required? No

Widener University{target=”blank”}

MSW Tuition — $850 per credit hour
On-campus visit required? No
Specialized practice areas: Advanced Clinical with focus on trauma and its impact on mental health

Before we go

As you can expect, there are several accredited programs to choose from when it comes to pursuing an MSW program to gain licensure as an Indiana social worker. Factor in the specialized practice areas you are most passionate about and the tuition cost to find the program that is right for you. Ultimately, the decision is yours!

Works cited
Directory of Accredited Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx

Entry-Level Social Worker (MSW) in Indianapolis Salary. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Social_Worker/Salary/e4c6bc93/Indianapolis-IN

National Association Of Social Workers Indiana Chapter. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.naswin.org/

Online and Distance Education. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs/Online-and-Distance-Education

Salaries. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Msw-in-in-Salaries,-Indiana

Salary: Social Worker MSW in Indiana. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/indiana-social-worker-msw-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IS2124_KO8,25.htm

Social workers in high demand | Local | Journal Gazette. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20170711/social-workers-in-high-demand

Summary. (2018, April 13). Retrieved June 13, 2018, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

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