Nestled in the Midwest, Indiana has much to offer you as a social work student. The state is dotted with large cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville, providing lots of culture and diversity. Despite the array of cities in Indiana, Sperling’s Best Places reports that the cost of living in the state is 11% less than the national average.
One trait of Indiana that may influence your social work practice is its population density. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are 181 people per square mile in Indiana, compared to 87.4 people per square mile across the nation. Living in close proximity to lots of people can cause anxiety and stress in people, which you must keep in mind while treating patients.
Tuition and Curriculum Information for MSW Programs in Indiana
Social work programs in Indiana include the rigorous coursework demanded for licensure by the state. There are eight schools in Indiana with MSW programs, with an overall average tuition cost of $11,855. Many schools give you the option to pursue a teaching or research assistantship to offset your tuition cost.
Every MSW program in Indiana is designed to give you enough experience in each type of social work to feel confident working in any field. Early in your program, you can plan on taking core courses that teach you how to ethically treat and counsel patients of differing backgrounds. Your courses build in complexity as you explore social issues, discover how difficulties in life can affect your patients, and what societal boundaries exist today.
There is a unique opportunity offered by Indiana University – Purdue. You can join the Child Welfare Scholars Program, which allows you to concentrate on child welfare. This program is offered by the Indiana Child Welfare Training Partnership, so it can significantly boost your chances of finding work in your specialty field.
Field Work
With each semester of courses, you also complete approximately 200 field hours. The goal of each semester is to deepen your understanding of social work and improve your skills in your field experience. One of the benefits of studying in an urban state like Indiana is the huge selection of practicum sites. Your practicum supervisors will evaluate you each semester and determine whether or not you have successfully applied what your courses taught you.
MSW Salary and Job Outlook in Indiana
Earning a Master’s degree in social work gives you a good selection of employment opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that most social workers work for the government or in a healthcare setting.
Common employers include hospitals, mental health care centers, community clinics, and government agencies. In Indiana, major employers are Great Lakes Caring, Fresenius Medical Care, and Interim Healthcare.
Social Worker Salary in Indiana
There is a huge range of social work salaries in Indiana, depending on if you work in an urban or suburban area and what type of social work you do. Generally speaking, the highest paid social workers in Indiana are healthcare social workers. O*Net reports that they earn an average salary of $44,000 per year. Mental health social workers earn an average salary of $36,800 per year (O*Net, 2012). According to O*Net, family social workers earn an average salary of $34,100 per year.
Social Worker Job Outlook in Indiana
Social workers of all specialties are in high demand in Indiana. The Affordable Care Act has given thousands of Iowa citizens mental health care options, leading to the need for affordable therapy and counseling options. Healthcare social workers and mental health social workers are the most needed in Indiana, with expected job growth of 37% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Family social workers are also in short supply; O*Net predicts that their job growth will jump by 18% through 2020.
Social Work Licensure in Indiana
If you go on to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you may consider becoming self-employed and starting a private independent practice. This gives you a considerable amount of freedom in where and how you work. Many independently practicing LCSWs report a great deal of job satisfaction.
In order to start your social work career in Indiana, you must earn your license from the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. You can send in your application with a $50 application fee. After your background check passes and the Board approves your application, you can take the licensing exam.
To pursue licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you must complete 3,000 hours of work as a Licensed Social Worker. This work must be overseen by an LCSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You can then pay a $260 fee and take the clinical exam.
Masters in Social Work Degree Programs in Indiana
Ball State University
(Muncie, IN)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- Masters in Social Psychology
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $8,318 Tuition Cost
- $5,283 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Indiana State University
(Terre Haute, IN)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- $7,898 Tuition Cost
- $2,650 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Indiana University-East
(Richmond, IN)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $5,964 Tuition Cost
- $2,242 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Rural Campus Setting
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
(Indianapolis, IN)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,623 Tuition Cost
- $4,659 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Martin University
(Indianapolis, IN)
- Masters in Community and Social Psychology
- $13,860 Tuition Cost
- $243 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Purdue University-Calumet Campus
(Hammond, IN)
- Masters in Human Development and Family Studies
- $5,707 Tuition Cost
- $4,490 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Purdue University-Main Campus
(West Lafayette, IN)
- Masters in Human Development and Family Studies
- $9,208 Tuition Cost
- $6,163 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Valparaiso University
(Valparaiso, IN)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $31,170 Tuition Cost
- $17,431 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting