Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and society. Social workers help people in our society with social, interpersonal, financial, and health problems. They assist many types of people, including the elderly, the homeless and unemployed, abused children, substance abusers, people with disabilities, juvenile delinquents, and the chronically or terminally ill. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of social workers to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026.

The IU Online Master of Social Work (MSW Direct) includes foundation coursework in diversity, human rights, and social justice; social policy; and social work practice in organizations, communities, and societies. You also explore specialized fields of practice, such as military social work, e-social work, telebehavioral health social work, mental health, and addictions. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the MSW offers an "advanced generalist" program with a focus area of Special Practice Areas in Social Work, which prepares you for work in many areas.

Your IU Online MSW prepares you to work in a broad range of practice settings, including community mental health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, employee assistance programs, family service agencies, and community service agencies, in such careers as:

• Geriatric case manager
• Family service worker 
• Child protective services (CPS) social worker 
• Foster care social worker 
• Adult protective services agent
• Youth services specialist 
• Developmental disabilities specialist
• Clinical social worker
• Alcohol and drug abuse specialist
• Hospital social worker

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the MSW, you must complete 60 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

• Social work core courses (30 credit hours)  
• Special practice areas courses (30 credit hours)