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Online Master's Degree Programs in Indiana

Indiana residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree can take advantage of the growing options for enrolling in online master’s programs offered by state schools and private, non-profit colleges and universities in Indiana. Many of Indiana’s public and private universities are active in offering various types of online master’s programs, including programs in some of the most in-demand areas of graduate study among Indiana residents, such as accounting, business administration, computer science, education, engineering, nursing, and social work. There are online master’s programs in these and many other fields offered by Indiana schools and by an even larger number of out-of-state schools that are authorized to enroll qualified students who reside in Indiana.

This page provides an overview of online master’s programs offered by colleges and universities located in Indiana and in neighboring and regional states and features sections that focus on fields in which Indiana graduate students most commonly pursue master’s degrees.

Schools in Indiana That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Indiana’s system of higher education is dominated by two large, multi-campus state university systems: Indiana University, which has nine campuses located throughout the state; and Purdue University, which has a main campus in West Lafayette and several additional regional campuses and technology centers. Indiana University and Purdue University also administer several joint campuses, including a large campus in Indianapolis and a smaller campus in Fort Wayne, and there are several additional state-funded universities in Indiana that are not affiliated with Indiana University or Purdue University, including Ball State University, Vincennes University, and Indiana State University.

Most of Indiana’s state schools offer online courses and degree programs, and many have online master’s programs. The Purdue University system, for example, offers a broad range of online master’s programs through Purdue University Online, Purdue Global, and Purdue University Northwest. Indiana University offers most of its online programs, including online master’s programs, through IU Online, which acts as a central source for the online programs offered by all of its affiliated campuses.

The table below provides a list of Indiana’s state universities, the location of each school’s main campus, and whether or not that school offers online degree programs. Schools are listed from largest to smallest, based on an analysis of enrollment data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System (IPEDS).

SchoolLocationOnline Degree Programs
Indiana University BloomingtonBloomingtonYes
Purdue UniversityWest LafayetteYes
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)IndianapolisYes
Ball State UniversityMuncieYes
Vincennes UniversityVincennesYes
Indiana State UniversityTerre HauteYes
Purdue University NorthwestHammond and WestvilleYes
University of Southern Indiana (USI)EvansvilleYes
Indiana University/Purdue University Fort WayneFort WayneYes
Indiana University South BendSouth BendYes
Indiana University SoutheastNew AlbanyYes
Indiana University NorthwestGaryYes
Indiana University EastRichmondYes
Indiana University KokomoKokomoYes

Indiana is also home to a number of private, non-profit colleges and universities that are accredited to confer bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Among the largest of these schools are the University of Notre Dame and Indiana Wesleyan University. While Notre Dame does not currently offer online degree programs, many of the other private schools in the state have online programs, including online master’s programs. The ten largest private, non-profit universities in Indiana are listed in the table below, along with their location and whether or not they offer online degree programs.

SchoolLocationOnline Degree Programs
University of Notre DameNotre DameNo
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU)MarionYes
Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech)Fort WayneYes
University of IndianapolisIndianapolisYes
Butler UniversityIndianapolisNo
Trine UniversityAngolaYes
Valparaiso UniversityValparaisoYes
Marian UniversityIndianapolisYes
University of EvansvilleEvansvilleYes
University of Saint FrancisFort WayneYes

Schools in the Indiana Region That Offer Online Master’s Programs

One of the major advantages of earning a master’s degree through an online program is the freedom and convenience it offers. Residents of Indiana, for example, can earn a master’s degree online in many fields from schools located in other states without having to relocate or commute to that school’s campus in order to attend classes. While some online programs do not accept applicants who live in certain states for a variety of reasons, most programs accept students from most states. Among the colleges and universities located in states bordering Indiana that offer online master’s programs are Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and Ohio’s Kent State University and Case Western Reserve University.

MSU is a large public research university with numerous academic divisions, including the Eli Broad College of Business and Graduate School of Management, and Colleges of Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Nursing. Through MSU, Indiana residents can earn master’s degrees in criminal justice, education, healthcare, laboratory science, literacy and language instruction, nursing, strategic communication, and more.

Southern Illinois University is a publicly funded state school and university system with its main campus in Carbondale, a secondary campus and a School of Nursing in Edwardsville, a Medical School in Springfield, and several other affiliated academic and professional centers. The school offers a number of online master’s programs through SIU Online, including programs in business and health administration (MBA and MHA), public safety and homeland security, and workforce education and development.

The University of Kentucky is one of two publicly funded land-grant universities in Kentucky. Among the University of Kentucky’s many academic divisions are the Gatton College of Business and Economics, the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and Colleges of Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Public Health, and Social Work. UK Online offers online master’s programs in many areas of academic and professional study, including arts administration, business administration (MBA), early childhood education, library and information science, rehabilitation counseling, and social work (MSW).

Kent State University is part of the University System of Ohio and one of the largest of that state’s publicly funded research universities. It includes seven campuses in addition to its main campus in Kent, and has schools of Business, Communication, Education, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health. Kent State offers online degree programs in a number of fields, including online master’s in business administration (MBA), criminal justice, education, health informatics, journalism, library and information science, nursing (MSN), public administration (MPA), and public health (MPH). Case Western Reserve is a private research university located in Cleveland that has graduate programs in dentistry, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing, and social sciences. Case Western’s online programs include several types of online master’s programs in engineering, as well as an online master’s in social administration program, which is equivalent to a Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

The 15 Most Common Fields for Master’s Degree Studies in Indiana

Through an analysis of IPEDS data on the number of graduates from master’s programs offered by schools in Indiana, OnlineEducation.com has identified the 15 most common areas of study for students who complete master’s programs at Indiana schools. The IPEDS classification system does not align precisely with actual designations for master’s programs, but the data provides a representative overview of the types of programs that have the largest number of graduates at the master’s level. These include:

  1. Business Administration and Management
  2. Business/Commerce
  3. Educational Leadership and Administration
  4. Curriculum and Instruction
  5. Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
  6. Engineering/Industrial Management
  7. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  8. Accounting
  9. Computer Science
  10. Social Work
  11. Public Administration
  12. Information Technology
  13. Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
  14. Education
  15. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

The sections below provide detailed information on public and private colleges and universities in Indiana that currently offer online master’s programs in the fields listed above. Each section also includes a selection of online master’s program offered by regional colleges and universities located in adjoining and/or nearby states.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Indiana

The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University (IU) offers an online MBA program that includes an applied capstone project and two weeklong Kelley Connect sessions on IU’s Bloomington campus. The IU online MBA program gives students the option of earning an MBA and a Master of Science (MS) degree concurrently by taking additional courses in finance, global supply chain management, information technology management, business analytics, or strategic management. In addition, the Kelley School offers an online dual MBA/MS in Engineering program in conjunction with Purdue University Online. Purdue Global separately offers two types of online MBA programs: an ExcelTrack online MBA program that is largely self-paced and competency based; and a more traditional online MBA program that features concentrations in Finance, Healthcare Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, and Project Management.

Ball State University and the University of Southern Indiana (USI) are two addition public universities in Indiana that have online MBA programs. The Ball State program features a general business curriculum and five optional specializations: Entrepreneurship; Finance; Healthcare Economics, Policy, and Administration; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; and Sales Management. USI offers its MBA program completely online or through a mix of online and campus-based classes. Students in the program can choose from a general MBA curriculum or concentrations in Accounting, Data Analytics, Engineering Management, Healthcare Administration, and Human Resource Management.

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech), Trine University, and the University of Saint Francis are four non-profit private universities in Indiana that have online MBA programs. The program offered by IWU can be completed online or on campus in 18-24 months. It features a sequence of 14 courses that students complete as part of a cohort. Indiana Tech has several types of MBA programs that can be completed online or by attending campus-based evening and weekend classes, including programs with specializations in Accounting, Healthcare Management, Human Resources, Management, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, and Project Management. Indiana Tech also gives students the option of pursuing two MBA dual degree program options online: an MBA/MS in Engineering program; and an MBA/MS in Management program.

Through Trine Online, students can earn an MBA online that has seven core course requirements and electives in accounting and taxation, international finance, strategic human resources, and new product development and innovation. And the University of Saint Francis offers an online MBA program that can be completed in 12 months by full-time students and 24 months by students who opt for part-time enrollment.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn, the University Illinois, and The Ohio State University are three out-of-state schools that offer online MBA programs Indiana residents may want to consider. The program offered by the University of Michigan-Dearborn features two specialization options: Finance; and International Business. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers an online MBA program through the Gies College of Business that has three concentrations: Digital Marketing; Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation; and Global Challenges in Business. And Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business has a part-time online MBA program designed for working professionals that can be completed in two and half years and that has five specializations: Finance; Organizational Leadership; Marketing; Operations and Logistics; and Strategy.

Online Master’s in Education, Teaching, and Special Education Programs in Indiana

There are a number of schools in Indiana that offer various types of online master’s in education and teaching programs for professional educators, licensed teachers, and bachelor’s program graduates who are interested in entering an education field. Indiana University’s IU Online offers two Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree programs: an MSEd in Educational Leadership and an MSEd in Adult Education. The Educational Leadership program is designed for K-12 teachers who are interested in advancing into administrative roles; the Adult Education program provides training in academic, corporate, and government instructional program design and development.

Purdue University Online offers three types of online MSEd programs: an MSEd in Curriculum & Instruction; an MSEd in Learning Design and Technology; and an MSEd in Special Education. The Curriculum & Instruction program is designed for K-12 teachers and administrators and features four concentrations: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies; Mathematics Education; Educational Technology; and Integrated STEM Education. The Learning Design and Technology program provides training in multimedia instructional tools and methods and is designed for classroom teachers as well as educational program designers in business and government. The Special Education program has tracks for students who intend to apply for initial licensure (Mild Intervention and Intense Intervention) and for licensed teachers who intend to add a special education license, both of which require an on-site practicum, as well as a non-practicum track for educators who do not intend to apply for licensure.

Purdue Global offers an additional four online master’s programs in education fields. For students who are interested in pursing teaching certification, Purdue Global has an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program that provides training in middle and secondary school education. Current and former teachers (P-12) are eligible for Purdue Global’s online Master of Science (MS) in Education program, which has three concentrations: Teaching Literacy and Language; Teaching Students with Special Needs; and Educational Leadership. Purdue Global also offers an online MS in Instructional Design and Technology program and an online MS in Higher Education program, which has three concentrations: College Teaching, College Administration and Leadership; and Student Affairs.

Ball State University is another Indiana state university that offers a variety of online master’s programs for educators. Ball State has online Master of Arts in Education (MAE) programs in Educational Administration and Supervision, Early Childhood Education, Reading and Literacy Instruction, and Elementary Education. The online MAE program can be tailored to several other specialty areas, including Autism, Computer Education for Teachers, English as a New Language, Gifted and Talented Education, and Secondary Education. Ball State also offers an online Master of Arts in Secondary Education (MASE) program for unlicensed teachers who intend to qualify for teacher certification in Indiana, as well as an online MA in Adult and Community Education program, an online MA/MS in Educational Psychology program, an online MA in Curriculum & Educational Technology program, and an online MA in Special Education program. The Special Education program has tracks that can prepare students for Indiana licensure in five areas: Director of Exceptional Needs; Early Childhood Special Education; Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing; Intense Interventions; Mild Interventions.

Indiana State University has four types of online master’s programs for teachers: an online MS in Educational Technology program; an online Master of Education (MEd) in School Administration and Supervision program; an online MEd in Teaching and Learning program; and an online MS in Special Education program. The Educational Technology program does not require applicants to hold a teaching certification. The School Administration and Supervision program requires applicants to be eligible for licensure in Indiana and to have a minimum of two years of teaching experience. Eligibility requirements for the Teaching and Learning program vary by specialization, which include: Assessment (K-12); Curriculum and Instruction; Early Childhood; Elementary Education; Gifted and Talented; and Literacy (K-12). The Special Education program has a flexible curriculum that can accommodate students who do not hold a teaching license and licensed teachers who intend to add a special education teaching license.

Valparaiso University offers two options for earning a master’s degree online in Humane Education, a pedagogy that stresses human rights, environmental ethics, and animal protection. Classroom educators are can apply for admissions to Valparaiso’s online MEd in Humane Education, while those who intend to teach outside of K-12 school settings can pursue Valparaiso’s online in MA Humane Education.

Indiana residents who are interested in earning their initial teaching certification can prepare for licensure through the online MAT program offered by the University of Saint Francis, which includes a 16-week practicum and a 16-week internship to qualify graduates for their teacher certification. Students in the University of Saint Francis online MAT program who do not intend to apply for licensure can forgo the practicum and internship and take elective online courses instead. The University of Saint Francis also offers an online MSEd in Special Education program with curricular options for students who intend to apply for initial Indiana licensure in Mild Intervention or Intense Intervention for Early Childhood (P–3), Elementary (K–6), Secondary (5–12), or P–12, as well as for licensed teachers and for educators who do not intend to apply for licensure.

For Indiana residents who would like to explore options for earning an online master’s in education or teaching from an out-of-state school in a neighboring state, Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are two schools to consider. MSU’s College of Education offers an online Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program that has six concentrations: Literacy Education; P-16 School Leadership; Science and Mathematics Education; Special Education; Technology and Learning; and Sport Leadership and Coaching. MSU also offers an online Master of Arts in Education Technology (MAET) program, and an online MA in Teaching and Curriculum program with a flexible curriculum that can accommodate beginning and experience teachers. It has seven tracks: Educational Technology; Educational Psychology; K-12 Educational Administration; Literacy & Language Instruction; Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Teaching and Learning; Science and Mathematics Education; and ELL/ESL.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has online Master of Education (MEd) programs in: Curriculum and Instruction; and Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. The Curriculum and Instruction program offers concentrations in Bilingual/Bi-Cultural Education and Digital Learning. The Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership program has six concentrations: Curriculum and Instruction (Bilingual and ESL); Diversity and Equity; Administration and Leadership; Global Studies; Human Resource Development; and Learning Design and Leadership.

Note: Some online master’s in education and teaching programs require students to complete in-person internships and/or student teaching assignments at sites approved by the program. Applicants to programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to contact a program administrator regarding these requirements at any out-of-state programs they are considering prior to submitting an application. In addition, Indiana residents should be aware that certification and licensure requirements for teachers vary by state. Online programs offered by out-of-state schools may not offer a curriculum that aligns precisely with the academic training requirements for public school teachers in Indiana, and out-of-state online programs that require students to be licensed or certified may not accept applicants from Indiana.

Online Master’s in Engineering (MEng) Programs in Indiana

Purdue University offers a number of options for students who are interested in earning a master’s degree in engineering online. The College of Engineering at Purdue has online Master of Science (MS) programs in the following engineering specializations: Electrical & Computer Engineering (MSECE); Industrial Engineering (MSIE); and Mechanical Engineering (MSME). In addition, the College of Engineering offers an Online Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering program that allows students to tailor their degree specialization by selecting elective coursework in 12 specializations: Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering; Computational Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Integrated Vehicle Systems Engineering; Materials Engineering; Quality Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Computer Engineering; Engineering Management and Leadership; Industrial Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; and Systems Engineering. Finally, Purdue University Online offers an MS in Engineering Technology program that is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering, information technology, or business and that offers training in the direction and management of engineering projects rather than in engineering theory.

Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) has two online engineering programs at the master’s level: an online MS in Engineering Management, and an online MS in Engineering Management with an Information Systems concentration. Both programs are designed for students who have a technical degree or background. The Engineering Management curriculum focuses on engineering project management, consulting, and administration and can be combined with additional business courses for a dual MBA/MS degree. The Information Systems concentration focuses on business and organizational enterprise networking and communication, systems analysis and design, and information processing in the context of engineering projects.

Trine University is another Indiana school that offers an online master’s in engineering program. The Trine program is an online Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program. It features coursework in professional communication for engineers, financing and project management, and engineering business strategies.

The University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve University are two schools in the neighboring state of Ohio that offer several types of online master’s in engineering programs. The University of Cincinnati has an online Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering program and an online MEng in Mechanical Engineering program. Both of the UC Online MEng programs have an applied engineering curriculum and do not require a master’s thesis. Case Western offers an online MEng program with four concentrations: Biomedical Engineering; Engineering Innovation, Management, and Leadership; Mechanical Engineering; and Systems and Control Engineering. In addition, Case Western has online MS programs in Biomedical, Mechanical, and Systems and Control Engineering. A Bachelor of Science degree or significant undergraduate coursework in mathematics and science are recommended for admission to the MS in Mechanical Engineering program. The MS in Biomedical Engineering program requires applicants to have four semesters of mathematics, two semesters of physics, two semester of chemistry, and one semester of computer science.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Indiana

Several of Indiana’s public universities offer Registered Nurses (RNs) the option of earning an MSN degree through online programs in a number of different specializations. Indiana University has an MSN in Nursing Education program that features a 150-hour supervised teaching practicum. Purdue Global has online MSN programs in five specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP); Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP); Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); Executive Leader; and Nurse Educator. Purdue University Northwest offers an online MSN program with Nurse Executive and Nursing Education specializations.

Ball State University offers three MSN program specializations online: Nurse Educator; Nurse Administrator; and FNP. Indiana State University has FNP and Nursing Education MSN programs that are offered online. And the University of Southern Indiana (USI) offers seven specializations through its online MSN program: AGACNP; AGPCNP; FNP; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP); Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS); Nursing Education; and Nursing Management and Leadership. The Southern Indiana program requires students to attend a limited number of on-campus sessions.

The University of Indianapolis is one of the private schools in Indiana that offers an online MSN program. There are two online MSN program options available through the University of Indianapolis: Nursing and Health Systems Leadership; and Nursing Education. In addition, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) has a dual MBA/MSN in Nursing Administration program and a post-MBA online MSN in Nursing Administration program that requires RNs to have completed their MBA prior to beginning their MSN training.

Among the many options for earning an MSN online through programs offered by schools in nearby states are programs offered by Southern Illinois University, The Ohio State University, and Lewis University. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville has online MSN in Healthcare and Nursing Administration and Nurse Educator programs that are designed for RNs who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The Ohio State University offers programs in four MSN specializations online: FNP; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP); PMHNP; and Clinical Nurse Leader. And Lewis University in Illinois offers seven MSN specializations online: Nursing Education; Healthcare Systems Leadership; AGACNP; AGPCNP; FNP; PMHNP; and School Nurse.

Note: In addition to online coursework, online MSN programs typically require students to complete supervised clinical practicums and/or internships at sites approved by the program. RNs who are considering online MSN programs offered by out-of-state schools should examine program requirements carefully and contact program administrators regarding potential clinical sites prior to submitting applications. Indiana RNs who intend to apply for state licensure in an Advanced Practice Register Nurse (APRN) specialty after completing an online MSN program should also be aware that nursing licensure requirements vary by state. It is thus advisable to research Indiana’s licensure requirements carefully prior to applying to an out-of-state online MSN program.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in Indiana

There are two schools in Indiana that currently offer online master’s in accounting programs: Purdue Global and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). The Purdue program is an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program that has four concentrations: Audit; Finance; Government Accounting; and Tax Accounting. It can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment. IWU offers bachelor’s program graduates who have completed coursework in intermediate accounting, taxation, auditing, and statistics the option of earning an MSA degree online though the Devoe School of Business. The program is cohort based and can be completed in 18-24 months.

Among the schools in states bordering Indiana that offer online master’s programs in accounting are the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and DePaul University. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has an online Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy program that is offered through the Gies College of Business. The program can be completed entirely online in 18 months of full-time enrollment, although students have the options of taking 24 months to earn their degree. DePaul University in Chicago, IL, has an online MSA program that can be completed in 18 months of full-time enrollment, although it has a flexible enrollment policy that allows students to enroll part-time as well. In addition, DePaul has an online MS in Taxation program that is designed for accountants who are interested in studying tax law and policy.

Note: Online master’s in accounting programs may help to prepare students to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination and for CPA licensure in their state of residence. However, eligibility requirements for CPA licensure vary by state. Indiana residents should research CPA licensure requirements in Indiana prior to submitting applications to online master’s in accounting programs offered by schools in other states in order to ensure that a program’s curriculum aligns with Indiana’s licensure requirements.

Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs in Indiana

Indiana residents who want to study computer science at the master’s level may be interested in online master’s programs offered by Indiana State University and Purdue Global. Indiana State offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Electronics and Computer Technology program that gives students a choice between two concentrations: Automation and Controls; and Information Technology. The program requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree with a major in computer science or a related field. Purdue Global has an online MS in Information Technology program with three concentrations: Business Intelligence and Analytics; Information Security and Assurance; and Project Management.

There are three schools in the neighboring state of Illinois that offer online master’s in computer science programs, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which has an online Master of Computer Science (MCS) program. The program is offered through the Grainger College of Engineering and the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science and can be completed is one year of full-time enrollment or as many as five years of part-time enrollment. DePaul University and Lewis University, two private, non-profit schools in Illinois, each offer an online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program. The DePaul program gives students the choice of completing a master’s thesis, an applied research project, or an internship. The program offered by Lewis has three concentrations: Cybersecurity; Intelligent Systems; and Software Engineering.

Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in Indiana

Indiana University (IU) is the only school in Indiana that currently offers an MSW program online. The IU Online MSW (MSW Direct) program has an advanced generalist core curriculum that includes training in clinical and macro practice social work, and electives in several social work specializations, including addictions treatment, e-social work practice and telebehavioral health services, and military social work. Students have up to five years to complete the IU MSW Direct program but can graduate in as few as six semesters of full-time enrollment. The program also has an Advanced Standing track that is open to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Advanced Standing students can graduate in as few as five semesters of full-time enrollment.

Indiana residents may want to explore the online MSW programs offered by The Ohio State University and Loyola University Chicago. The Ohio State program can be completed in two years and has three concentrations: Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Child and Youth Services; and Community and Social Justice. Ohio State has an Advanced Standing track for graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW programs that can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment. Loyola University Chicago’s program has a macro/community practice track (Leadership and Development) and a clinical practice track with four specializations: Health; Children and Families; School Social Work; and Mental Health. Students who do not have a BSW degree can complete the Loyola program in two years of full-time enrollment, and BSW program graduates may be eligible for Loyola’s Advanced Standing track, which can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment.

Note: Online MSW programs have field education requirements. Field education takes place at sites approved by the program and must be completed in person. Indiana residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should check with a program administrator to ensure they will be able to complete field education requirements in Indiana. In addition, licensure in clinical social work is administered by state boards and eligibility requirements vary by state. Students who intend to pursue licensure after completing an online MSW program should research Indiana’s requirements prior to submitting applications, particularly if they are considering programs offered by out-of-state schools.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Indiana

Indiana University (IU), Indiana State University, and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) are three Indiana schools that offer online MPA programs. IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs has an online MPA program that has concentrations in: Nonprofit Management; Policy Analysis; Public Financial Administration; and Public Management. The program requires students to complete an in-person internship. However, this requirement may be waived for students who have prior professional experience in public administration. The Indiana State program has three concentrations: Criminology/Criminal Justice; Human Resources Development; and Public Health. The program requires students who do not have prior public or non-profit work experience to complete an internship at an approved public agency. And IWU has an online MPA program that uses a cohort model and that gives students a choice from three optional concentrations: Nonprofit Leadership; Public Management; and Criminal Justice. The program does not include an internship but it does require students to complete a final capstone project.

There are numerous out-of-state schools that offer online MPA programs Indiana residents may want to explore, including Central Michigan University (CMU) and Northwestern University in the neighboring state of Illinois. CMU’s online MPA program has a general public administration curriculum and requires students to complete an internship at a public or nonprofit agency. Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies offers an online Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program with a curriculum that is similar to an MPA program. The Northwestern program gives students the option of choosing from five concentrations: Public Administration; Public Policy; Global Policy; Global Health; and Data Analytics for Public Policy. Students in the Northwestern program can choose between completing a master’s thesis or a capstone project prior to receiving their degree.