Social Work Degrees in Indiana – IN

Indiana’s licensing agency is the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. Those who are considering earning a social work degree in Indiana should know there is more than one level of license. The title of licensed social worker, LSW, requires attainment of at least a bachelors, while the title licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, necessitates a masters. Both require graduation from a CSWE approved social work program and a passing score on the licensing exam. In Indiana, social workers are expected to already be licensed at the LSW level before beginning supervision at the LCSW level.  As exam time approaches, Indiana’s social work candidates may want to request a study guide from the Indiana Division of the National Association of Social Workers.

Prospective Indiana social workers that seek employment in schools should know that this branch of the profession has dual licensing, and that they must also apply for an Indiana Educator License, which includes some additional documentation, such as proof of CPR training. School social work does require a master’s level degree.

Indiana’s social workers are life long learners. CEUs are required: 40 per renewal cycle. As in many other states, there is a specific requirement for classes in ethics -- at least one hour a year.  Fortunately there are a wide variety of options for the other continuing education units, from seminars to online classes. In Indiana, a social worker can even get credit for some documented self-study in the form of published research in a scholarly journal.

Disclaimer: Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum, and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.