Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will begin recruiting students for its new Master of Social Work (MSW) program that is expected to enroll its first cohort in fall 2025.

PNW’s MSW program will prepare advanced generalist social workers who are well-qualified to meet social services needs in our metropolitan region.

“Engaging individuals as partners in the helping process is key to social work,” said Anne Gregory, dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at PNW. “If you are someone interested in building and strengthening relationships in ways that promote, maintain and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, organizations and our communities, then the PNW MSW program is for you.”

The MSW curriculum will center on anti-oppressive social work practice that advocates for social, racial, economic and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations. After completion of PNW’s MSW degree, graduates will be eligible for social work licensure (LSW).

MSW graduates earn qualifications to begin careers in sectors such as mental health, government, hospitals, schools, deaddiction centers and advocacy agencies.

“Our stellar social work faculty are very excited to offer the MSW program at PNW,” said Shreya Bhandari, professor of Social Work and director of PNW’s MSW program. “We are currently working on gaining initial accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education, the body that accredits social work programs across the nation.”

“The new MSW program will greatly expand PNW's ability to respond to the educational, professional, social service, mental health and advocacy needs of Northwest Indiana and beyond,” said Mike Johnson, chair of the department of Behavioral Sciences at PNW.

MSW students at PNW will be able to leverage synergistic connections between other related graduate programs at the university, including PNW’s Counseling, Couple and Family Therapy, and Psychology programs. PNW has offered a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program since 2016 that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

To learn more about PNW’s MSW program, visit pnw.edu/msw. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2025. More information about graduate studies at PNW is also available at pnw.edu/graduate-studies.