Indiana Social Work Licensing Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in IN
Grow your social work career in Indiana. The state’s affordable cost of living and positive employment growth projections make it an attractive option. Learn about earning your Indiana social work license, explore social work programs, and review post-graduation salary potential.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Indiana Social Work Licensing Requirements
Indiana’s Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHHS) Board oversees social work licensing in the state. Licenses are available at three levels: licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW), licensed social worker (LSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
An LBSW needs a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), while LSW and LCSW applicants need master’s degrees in social work (MSW). Indiana also requires all licensure candidates to graduate from programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and pass the appropriate exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
LBSWs in Indiana can practice generalist social work in public and private agencies, including advocacy programs, children and youth services, criminal justice agencies, homeless shelters, and public health agencies. They can offer direct and indirect services to individuals, families, and groups. LBSWs often work in organizational planning and management.
Indiana licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- A passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
- Criminal background check
- Application fee
Licensed Social Worker
LSWs work with communities, families, groups, and individuals dealing with challenges and connect them with resources. They help clients modify their behaviors and emotional responses, working to effect positive change. These professionals plan, administer, and research community social service delivery systems. LSWs can work in community mental health centers, government agencies, and school health services.
Indiana licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB master exam
- Criminal background check
- Application fee
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs perform the client advocacy and community services functions of BSWs and LSWs while providing counseling, psychosocial evaluation, mental health diagnosis, and psychotherapy services. LCSWs work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities in child and family service agencies, mental and physical health facilities, and private practice.
Indiana licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Verification of 3,000 hours (two years) of post-degree experience in clinical social work
- Verification of qualified supervision hours by an LCSW
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
- Criminal background check
- Application fee
Social Work License Reciprocity in Indiana
If you hold a social work license in another state, you can get Indiana licensure through reciprocity—a process that recognizes your existing license without the need for retesting.
To qualify, you need to submit the reciprocity application form and fee, a license verification form, a criminal background check, and your ASWB examination scores from the appropriate level exam. When applying for an LCSW license by reciprocity, you will also need the required two years of professional post-graduate experience.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Indiana
Indiana’s licensed social workers need to renew their licenses by April 1 of each even-numbered year. Licenses remain active for two years and expire on March 31. You’ll be reminded of your upcoming renewal about 90 days before the expiration date.
You can renew your Indiana social work license online, but you will need to complete the necessary continuing education (CE) requirements to qualify. In Indiana, renewals require 40 CE hours every two years, including at least two hours of ethics and no more than 20 self-directed hours.
Social Work Programs in Indiana
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in Indiana. To help you compare school options, directories include campus location, in-person or online availability, part-time or full-time enrollment options, and in-state tuition for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit the university websites linked in the first column to explore specific degrees in greater detail.
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University Anderson | On campus | Full time, part time | $18,075 per semester |
| Ball State University Muncie | On campus, online | Full time, part time | $8,688 per year on campus, $346 per credit online |
| Goshen College Goshen | On campus | Full time, part time | $38,890 per year |
| Huntington University Huntington | On campus, online | Full time, part time | $31,870 per year |
| Indiana State University Terre Haute | On campus | Full time | $4,989-$5,801 per semester |
| Indiana University Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Richmond, South Bend | On campus | Full time, part time | $257-$332 per credit |
| Indiana Wesleyan University Marion | On campus, online | Full time | $16,142 per semester on campus, $449 per credit online |
| Manchester University North Manchester | On campus | Full time, part time | $35,800 per year |
| Marian University Indianapolis | On campus | Full time | $40,664 per year |
| Purdue University Northwest Westville, Hammond | On campus | Full time | $8,675 per year |
| Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame | On campus | Full time | $52,110 per year |
| Taylor University Upland | On campus | Full time | $39,500 per year |
| University of Indianapolis Indianapolis | On campus | Full time, part time | $35,440 per year |
| University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne | On campus | Full time, part time | $35,210 per year |
| University of Southern Indiana Evansville | On campus | Full time, part time | $299 per credit hour |
| Valparaiso University Valparaiso | On campus | Full time | $46,940 per year |
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University Muncie | On campus | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $464 per credit hour |
| Indiana State University Terre Haute | On campus | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $462 per credit |
| Indiana University Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, New Albany, Richmond, South Bend, West Lafayette | On campus, online | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $437-$509 per credit |
| Indiana Wesleyan University Marion | Hybrid, online | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $565 per credit |
| University of Indianapolis Indianapolis | On campus | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $664 per credit |
| University of Southern Indiana Evansville | On campus, online | Full time, part time, advanced standing | $447 per credit |
Indiana Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Social workers in Indiana can enjoy competitive wages and a lower cost of living. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), salaries for the state’s social workers range from about $54,000-$73,000, with social workers in healthcare and in the “all other” category earning the highest salaries.
While Indiana’s social workers generally receive lower wages than the national average, living in a state with the 10th-lowest cost of living may allow their paychecks to stretch further.
The job growth outlook for Indiana’s social workers is also positive. Projections Central projects job growth between 2022 and 2032 to match or exceed the national averages in each social worker field. The projections for healthcare and mental health and substance use social workers look especially strong, exceeding 11% growth in both fields.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,690 | $25.81 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $73,800 | $35.48 |
Social Work Associations in Indiana
The following professional associations champion social work in Indiana by advocating for the profession and empowering members with resources, networking events, and professional development opportunities.
- NASW Indiana Chapter: The chapter offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming Indiana conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- Indiana School Social Work Association: This organization promotes the practice of school social work in Indiana, hosts annual conferences, and provides resources for professional development and funding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Social Work
Indiana’s Behavioral Health and Human Services Board provides credentials for licensed bachelor social workers (LBSWs), licensed social workers (LSWs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs).
