36-57 credits
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers an advanced generalist curriculum that prepares students to practice in a variety of human service settings. Graduates engage in professional social work roles—both clinical and administration—providing services to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. The curriculum has a special focus on services in rural communities with heavy emphasis on clinical addictions, gerontology, and health.
Programs
Students who have an undergraduate degree other than the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will need to apply for the Traditional Standing MSW program, which requires 57 credit hours.
Students who have a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution are eligible for the Advanced Standing MSW Program, which requires 36 credit hours.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs
The MSW is offered through the following options:
Advanced Standing Program – 36 hours
This program is designed for exceptional BSW students who have graduated from a CSWE accredited BSW Program. Students in the Advanced Standing can complete the program in three semesters (full-time) or six semesters (part-time).
Traditional Standing Program - 57 hours
Traditional Standing MSW program is designed for students who have chosen to pursue a graduate social work degree with an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work.
Degree Requirements
Students must receive a B or better in pre-practicum and practicum classes.
Traditional Standing Program, 57 credits
Traditional Standing MSW program is designed for students who have chosen to pursue a graduate social work degree with an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree;
- Official transcripts documenting minimum of 3.0 GPA overall. (Note: If undergraduate GPA is below 2.75, GRE General Exam score is required). The GRE is not required for those students who have completed a graduate degree with a GPA greater than or equal to 3.0;
- Documentation of 30 hours paid or volunteer experience in human services;
- Three letters of reference;
- Prerequisite course in Statistics within 5 years;
- Application to Ball State University Graduate School and Application to Social Work Department MSW program.
Degree requirements
Students must receive a B or better in pre-practicum and practicum classes.
Advanced Standing Program
| SOCW 602 | Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege | 3 |
| SOCW 603 | Rural Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 610 | Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| SOCW 613 | Advanced Generalist Rural Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOCW 614 | Advanced Generalist Rural Practice 2 | 3 |
| SOCW 640 | Social Work Practice, Evaluation and Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW 641 | Social Work Program, Evaluation and Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW 651 | Social Work Practice with Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| SOCW 652 | Differential Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| SOCW 663 | Social Work Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SOCW 664 | Social Work Field Practicum 3 | 3 |
3 credits from
| SOCW 570 | Selected Aspects of Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 671 | Social Work with Elders | 3 |
| SOCW 674 | Social Work in Health Care | 3 |
| SOCW 681 | Social Work Practice with Children and Families | 3 |
| SOCW 682 | Advanced Social Welfare Policyand Programs | 3 |
| SOCW 690 | Independent Study in Social Work | 3 TO 6 |
| Total Credits: | 36 |
Traditional Standing Program Foundation Courses
Required Foundation Classes
| SOCW 540 | Research Methods and Statistics | 3 |
| SOCW 611 | Social Work Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOCW 612 | Social Work Practice 2 | 3 |
| SOCW 621 | Social Welfare Policy and Programs | 3 |
| SOCW 630 | Micro Perspectives of Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SOCW 631 | Macro Perspectives of Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SOCW 662 | Social Work Field Practicum 1 | 3 |
Required Core Classes
| SOCW 602 | Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege | 3 |
| SOCW 603 | Rural Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 612 | Social Work Practice 2 | 3 |
| SOCW 613 | Advanced Generalist Rural Practice 1 | 3 |
| SOCW 640 | Social Work Practice, Evaluation and Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW 641 | Social Work Program, Evaluation and Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW 651 | Social Work Practice with Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| SOCW 652 | Differential Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| SOCW 663 | Social Work Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SOCW 664 | Social Work Field Practicum 3 | 3 |
6 credits from
| SOCW 570 | Selected Aspects of Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 671 | Social Work with Elders | 3 |
| SOCW 674 | Social Work in Health Care | 3 |
| SOCW 680 | Social Work Leadership and Administration | 3 |
| SOCW 681 | Social Work Practice with Children and Families | 3 |
| SOCW 682 | Advanced Social Welfare Policyand Programs | 3 |
| SOCW 690 | Independent Study in Social Work | 3 TO 6 |
| Total Credits: | 57 |