MSW Programs in Indiana

Indiana is a leader in agriculture, producing corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, tomatoes, oats and onions. It is also known for its food processing plants and the production of pork and poultry. It is also a heavy mining state, supplying the country with limestone, coal, cement, gravel and sand.

Indiana is also known for iron, steel and oil products. The economy relies on the manufacturing of products like mobile homes, trucks, buses, farm machinery and other automobile parts. This means a significant portion of the population works in industry or agriculture (1).

Social Issues in Indiana

According to the US Census Bureau, the state has a higher than average percentage of the population that have high school degrees but a lower than average percentage of people who have gotten a bachelor’s degree. Home ownership is high – 69.1 percent of the people in Indiana own homes, compared to the national average of 64.0 percent. They have an average percentage of the population living in poverty (11.9 percent) and a lower than average median household income ($56,303, compared to the national average of $62,843), which is somewhat offset by the lower cost of living (2).

According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Indiana is approximately 6,732,219. The state has fewer minorities than most other states and has a median income slightly below the national average. The three largest metro areas are Indianapolis, the Cincinnati area that it shares with Ohio and the Louisville area it shares with Kentucky. Social workers are likely to find the most jobs in these metro areas, although other parts of the state need service providers, as well (3).

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that the state of Indiana has a higher than average rate of entry of youths into foster care and a high number of child maltreatment cases (when compared to other states of a comparable population) (4). The state also has a higher than average percentage of the population diagnosed with mental illness (22.51 percent diagnosed with mental illness, 5.26 percent with severe mental illness, compared to the national averages of 19 percent and 4.55 percent) (5).

Earning a Master’s in Social Work in Indiana

If you’re thinking of getting your MSW, you have a couple of options in state. According to the 2014 US News & World Report school rankings, Indiana University’s School of Social Work is ranked number 36 in the nation. The University of Southern Indiana (in Evanston) also offers a MSW program through its Social Work Department (6).

Indiana University offers a MSW degree with concentrations in the following: mental health/addictions, child welfare, school social work, health, leadership or advanced generalist (7). The school also offers a unique program for people already employed full time by the Indiana Department of Child Services, called the Child Welfare Scholars Program. If interested in working in child welfare, you’ll want to check out the funding and schedule options available through the program (8). You can also pursue a joint degree such as a JD/MSW or a MSW/MPH degree, if you’d like to work with the criminal justice system or with the public health system (9).

Getting your master’s degree may be expensive, but many social workers find jobs working in areas designated as high need, or “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSAs). If you find work in a HPSA in Indiana, you may qualify for loan forgiveness through the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). Some social workers qualify for as much as $20,000 a year of loan forgiveness (for a maximum of two years).

Finding a Job in Indiana

Indiana is projected to see an above average expansion in social work through 2026, especially in healthcare and mental health and substance abuse social work jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2026 child, family and school social work jobs are expected to expand by 12 percent (10). Healthcare and mental health and substance abuse social work positions are expected to expand by 23 percent and 21 percent respectively (11) (12).

Of the 10,580 social workers employed in the state, 7,220 are employed as child, family and school social workers, making a median salary of $41,310. Approximately, 5,430 work as healthcare social workers, earning a median salary of $50,170. About 1,910 work as mental health or substance abuse social workers, earning a median salary of $41,320. Approximately 270 are employed as postsecondary social work educators, making a median salary of $72,150 (13).

Indiana Social Work Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Social Work Licensure in Indiana
• National Association of Social Workers, Indiana Chapter
• Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board
• Indiana School Social Worker Association

Universities with Master’s in Social Work Programs in Indiana

• Ball State University (MSW Programs)
• Indiana University East (MSW Program)
• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (MSW Program)
• Valparaiso University (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. Indiana, 2014. Info Please. http://www.infoplease.com/us-states/indiana.html
2. State and County QuickFacts, July, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/IN,US/PST045219
3. State and County QuickFacts, July, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/IN,US/PST045219
4. Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data, 2018. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/cwodatasite/pdf/indiana.html
5. State Estimates of Adult Mental Illness, 2017-2018. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt23235/2k18SAEExcelTabs/NSDUHsaePercents2018.pdf
6. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2019. US News and World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings?location=Indiana
7. School of Social Work Program Options, 2021. Indiana University. https://socialwork.iu.edu/msw/
8. Child Welfare Scholars Program, 2021. Indiana University. https://socialwork.indiana.edu/bsw/scholars-program.php
9. Joint Degrees Program, 2021. Indiana University. https://socialwork.iupui.edu/MSW/joint-degree.php
10. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Child,%20Family,%20and%20School%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102100&location=Indiana
11. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Mental%20Health%20and%20Substance%20Abuse%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102300&location=Indiana&lang=en
12. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Healthcare%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102200&location=Indiana&lang=en
13. Statewide Statistics for Indiana, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.