波尔州立大学

Find work as a clinical social worker, nonprofit administrator, program evaluator, or a variety of other service positions that help your community in an ever-changing contemporary society. Our Master of Social Work (MSW) program, with its advanced generalist focus, will prepare you to solve complex problems and provide leadership in diverse practice settings.

You will graduate job-ready with marketable skills that allow for a broad scope of practice and increased earning potential. Master’s-level social workers are in high demand nationwide, with employee demand consistently outpacing the number of trained workers in fields such as health care, mental health, and substance abuse.

Based upon rising workplace demand in rural communities, our program offers specific coursework and hands-on training in:

• health
• addictions
• gerontology

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that these three areas are expected to have the highest rates of job growth in the next decade. A job is already waiting for you in a hospital, treatment center, community mental health center, long-term care facility, and retirement community.

Multiple Ways to Complete Your Degree

You can pace your coursework around your professional and personal life. You will develop your plan of study with an advisor who can help you decide what works best with your life.

If you earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program—even 20 years ago you are eligible to apply for our advanced-standing program. You can complete the program in as little as one year. Most MSW programs require applying to the Advanced Standing option within five years of earning a BSW, but not Ball State.

Or if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can earn an MSW in as little as two years. You do not need to have a BSW to complete this program. We welcome all undergraduate majors!

Courses

We believe that students learn best by doing, so every course is focused on preparing competent, professional social workers who are ready to work. We do this through simulations, case studies, immersive experiences, supported risk-taking opportunities, and mentoring.

A few of the classes you will take include:

SOCW 601 Rural Social Work
SOCW 602 Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege
SOCW 641 Social Work Practice Evaluation and Analysis
SOCW 651 Differential Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions
SOCW 662 Social Work Field Practicum 3