The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved a proposal by Indiana University East to offer a Master of Social Work degree at its campus in Richmond. Approval for the graduate program came during the trustees’ business meeting today held at the IU East campus.

The proposal moves on to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for approval. IU East has established a goal of 35 students to be enrolled for its inaugural class, slated for fall 2008.

“This move is reflective of our new mission as a baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting campus,” said Interim Chancellor Nasser Paydar. “We want to grow our portfolio of Indiana University degree programs to meet the needs of this region.”

The graduate program’s curriculum is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and identical to the Indiana University School of Social Work master’s program. Currently, IU East offers the Bachelor of Social Work.

“A needs assessment was conducted by the IU School of Social Work as part of the proposal,” said Larry Richards, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “It was determined that there is substantial demand in the region, enough to think that the program will be active for many years to come.”

The Master of Science in Education was the initial graduate program for Indiana University East. The program began in June 2007 with its first cohort class.