Indiana University

What you'll study

The BSW curriculum provides a blend of liberal arts, social work theory and supervised practice. Core topics typically include human development and behaviour in the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research methods for social work, ethics and professional practice, and culturally responsive practice. Practice courses focus on interventions with individuals, families and groups, as well as community and organisational practice. Students complete a sequence of practicum placements in community agencies, which offer direct client contact and supervised field education that culminates in a major practicum or capstone experience.

• Foundational courses: introduction to social work, human behaviour in the social environment, social welfare policy.
• Practice courses: practice with individuals and families, group work, community practice, clinical approaches.
• Research and policy: social work research methods, programme evaluation, policy analysis.
• Specialist topics: child and family welfare, mental health, substance use, ageing, trauma-informed care and diversity/inclusion.
• Field education: progressively intensive, supervised practicum placements in non‑profit agencies, schools, hospitals or community organisations.

Entry requirements

Admission to Indiana University is based on satisfactory completion of secondary education and a competitive high school record; the School of Social Work may have additional requirements for entry to the major. Typical expectations include a completed high school diploma or equivalent, a solid GPA, and competency in English and mathematics. Some campuses require students to apply to the social work major after completing prerequisite coursework.

• Required academic background: secondary school completion with courses in English; social sciences (such as sociology or psychology) and mathematics are recommended.
• Application components: university application materials; some programmes request a personal statement describing commitment to social work, and letters of recommendation.
• Preferred experience: volunteer or paid experience in community service settings can strengthen an application.
• Notes on progression: students often complete general education and prerequisite courses before beginning practicum sequences; meeting programme GPA and conduct standards is required to remain in the major.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BSW are prepared for entry-level social work roles and for continued study toward a Master of Social Work (MSW). Common entry-level roles include case manager, community outreach worker, juvenile or family services support, crisis intervention worker, and positions in child welfare, ageing services, and non‑profits. For clinical licensure and advanced clinical practice, graduates generally pursue an MSW and meet state licensure requirements.

• Frontline roles: case worker, family support specialist, school-based services assistant.
• Community and policy roles: community organiser, programme coordinator, policy and advocacy assistant.
• Health and mental health settings: hospital social work assistant, behavioural health support worker.
• Further study and licensure: many BSW graduates progress to an MSW to qualify for clinical practice and higher-level leadership roles.

Why study at Indiana University

Indiana University’s School of Social Work offers a well-established BSW curriculum grounded in generalist practice and social justice. The programme is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and benefits from extensive field placement partnerships across the state, giving students access to diverse practicum settings. Students can draw on interdisciplinary resources across the university, including public health, psychology, law and education, and take advantage of research centres and community engagement initiatives.

Support services commonly available to BSW students include academic advising, career services, practicum placement coordination and student organisations focused on service and professional development, helping graduates move into the workforce or onto graduate study.