School Social Work

Knowledge you need #
As a school social worker, you’ll address chronic issues that impact educational attainment like poverty, homelessness, and trauma. You’ll learn critical assessment and intervention skills to facilitate family support. The impact of family, including cultural aspects regarding educational attainment beliefs are emphasized. You’ll learn interviewing and engagement techniques in order to implement best practices with children in school settings. You’ll also learn how to collaborate in an interdisciplinary setting with teachers, school administrators, and other staff.
Learn to provide support to vulnerable populations with a high risk for truancy and dropping out, such as:
- Unhoused students.
- Migrant populations.
- Students with health and mental health needs.
- System involved youth, such as those in foster care or the juvenile justice system.
Licensure Opportunities #
Completion of IU’s focus area courses qualifies you to be licensed through Indiana’s Department of Education to serve as a school social worker.
- SWK 618 Social Policy and Services (Schools) (3 cr.)
- SWK 613 Special Instruction and Support Services for Diverse Populations
- SWK 614 School Social Work Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families
- SWK 616 Social Work Practice in Schools
- Required 3 credit hours from a social work elective (courses available)
Regular Standing degree sequence map offerings
For students admitted without a BSW degree. Find the degree map timeline that fits your needs.
- IU Bloomington Traditional timeline 2, 3 or 4 year options
- IU Indianapolis Traditional timeline 2, 3 or 4 year options
- Lafayette Traditional timeline 3 year option
- IU Northwest Traditional timeline 3 year option
- IU South Bend Traditional timeline 2 or 3 year options
- IU Southeast Traditional timeline 3 year option
- Online Program Traditional timeline 2, 3 or 4 year options
Advanced Standing degree sequence map offerings
For students admitted with a BSW degree. Find the degree map timeline that fits your needs.
- IU Bloomington advanced timeline 1 or 2 year options
- IU Indianapolis advanced timeline 1 or 2 year options
- Lafayette advanced timeline 2 year option
- IU Northwest advanced timeline 2 year option
- IU South Bend advanced timeline 1 or 2 year options
- IU Southeast advanced timeline 2 year option
- Online Program advanced timeline 2 year option