A cohort model provides students with a structured pathway through the BSW Program. It outlines a series of courses and the order in which they must be taken. A group of students will start, progress, and finish through the same curriculum as a cohort. Benefits of a Cohort Model Increased Retention Rates: Students who progress through their courses together feel a sense of belonging and support from their cohort. Improved Student Engagement: It helps students promote collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of community among each other. Personalized Learning: Cohort models allow for personalized learning experiences. Clear Pathway to Graduation: Students know what courses they need to take and when they need to take them, which makes it easier for them to plan their academic journey and stay on track to graduate.

Social Work

Empowering others

UIndy’s Bachelor of Social Work students are immersed in courses about diversity, values, ethics, populations at risk, and social and economic justice. Hands-on fieldwork enhances your classroom studies so that you can emerge prepared for the workforce or a graduate program.

About the BSW Program

Social workers strive to enhance the quality of life and improve the well-being and social functioning of all individuals, families and communities—particularly oppressed and vulnerable populations—by employing direct services and planned social change to enhance human rights, and advocating for social, economic and environmental justice.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at the University of Indianapolis will develop a strong theoretical basis for interventions, relying heavily on the ecological and strengths perspectives.

UIndy Social Work 4+1 Program

At UIndy, you can earn your Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work in just five years with UIndy’s 4+1 Social Work program. This accelerated pathway saves you time and tuition while providing hands-on field experience and early access to the Master of Social Work (MSW) coursework.

Advantages

Small, personalized classes that provide an opportunity for you to connect with faculty on a personal basis
Access to a highly engaged field director who works with individual students to identify and coordinate practicum and permanent work-based placement opportunities that fit your interests
Real-world, hands-on experiences during two comprehensive fieldwork internships in your junior and senior years
A focus on social work skills that will prepare you for the modern social work environment
A unique, welcoming and diverse campus with many opportunities to engage with people of a variety of ages, nationalities, races, genders and backgrounds

See Social Work curriculum guide

Student Story

Suihlei Tha

BSW, Class of 2021

I love the Social Work Program at UIndy because my professors helped me to be a good social worker. They work with students very closely and they create a space for students and are very accepting. Their understanding and interaction with students have taught me the professionalism of the social work field. I am able to apply those skills in my practice, and I am grateful to be a student of UIndy.

Watch Suihlei Tha's refugee story

Potential Areas of Career Focus

Social and Economic Inequality
Health Care
Mental Health
Aging
Substance Use and Addictions
Veterans and Military
Youth and Families
Workplace
Criminal Justice
Global and International Social Work

Accredited by the CSWE

UIndy's Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Frequency Asked Questions

When can I start?

The student needs to apply to UIndy first. Once accepted, they take courses SOWK 110 and 230. Once the student has earned a B- or better in these two courses, the student can apply to the BSW Program. All of this information can be found under the BSW Admissions tab of this website.

What is a cohort?

A cohort model provides students with a structured pathway through the BSW Program. It outlines a series of courses and the order in which they must be taken. A group of students will start, progress, and finish through the same curriculum as a cohort.

Benefits of a Cohort Model

Increased Retention Rates: Students who progress through their courses together feel a sense of belonging and support from their cohort.
Improved Student Engagement: It helps students promote collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of community among each other.
Personalized Learning: Cohort models allow for personalized learning experiences.
Clear Pathway to Graduation: Students know what courses they need to take and when they need to take them, which makes it easier for them to plan their academic journey and stay on track to graduate.

What is practicum?

Practicum is an educational experience in the field of social work much like an internship, but there is an evaluation component. Students will each complete two practica during their time in the BSW Program at agencies of their choosing. The Field Director ensures each student is placed at an appropriate site and monitors all students during placement. More information can be found under the BSW Field Practicum Placement tab of this website.

How can I get information about this program?

If you want information about the program now, you can contact Dr. Davis, BSW Director (davisr001@uindy.edu). Once you are a student at UIndy, you will be assigned an academic advisor for general education guidance. You will also be assigned a BSW Faculty Advisor, who will provide support throughout your undergraduate journey.

Alum Story

Rayshena Jones

BSW, Class of 2019

The social work program has a variety of fieldwork opportunities where students are able to demonstrate and apply classroom knowledge. And, with the help my passionate professors I felt confident and competent in the field. My senior practicum at Children’s Bureau, I had an amazing experience shadowing a case manager as we worked directly with at-risk children and families providing assessments and intervention services. And through this practicum, I checked out of college with a career in the field of my interest at Children’s Bureau.