MSW Frequently Asked Questions

The Regular Standing MSW Program accepts new students each fall. The application deadline is April 1. Applications will continue to be considered until the cohort is filled.

The Advanced Standing MSW Program accepts new students each summer. The application deadline is Feb. 1. 

The sequencing of the courses is important so that your experiences align with the course assignments. For example, the advanced practice courses are aligned with the time you are in your concentration practicum so you can coordinate the learning from your coursework with the learning from your practicum. We have also seen students struggle in advanced clinical practices coursework and assignment completion when they cannot refer to client cases and details based on their concurrent field placement.

We also have strategically planned courses so that you are exposed to and have learned foundation material that prepares you to service client systems within the field setting.

UIndy’s Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation currently expects MSW students to have a statistics course as a prerequisite to the program. The research courses are supported by this course as well as students are encouraged to participate in research projects, which may utilize knowledge from the statistics course.

CSWE competencies 4 and 9 require that students meet standards for using practice-informed research and research-informed practice and for evaluating services in social work. Classes in research help prepare students to interact with and use existing research to improve their practice and to evaluate effective delivery of service.

Each student will meet with the MSW Field Director to explore placement options. The program has a rich history of placements within the Indianapolis area and most of the time, first choices are able to be fulfilled.

The starting consideration about concentration choice should be based on thoughts about your passion areas and interest in client populations to be served in field placement. Where is your passion? Your conversations with the MSW Field Director and your faculty advisor can also support this decision.

Yes. This information will need to be shared with Dr. Lynn Shaw, MSW Field Director, to facilitate an appropriate placement agency and supervision requirement to be eligible for the LCAC.

No, you can select this concentration and have a field placement outside of the Community Behavioral Health Academy.

At the time of graduation, you will receive a MSW Degree, which qualifies you to work in agencies serving all of these populations. Choosing one concentration and not another will not disqualify you from employment in other settings.