TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The Indiana Commission for Higher Education today approved Indiana University East’s Master of Social Work degree. The commission’s approval is the final step in the process to implement the graduate program proposal. The decision was announced during the commission’s meeting held at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Interim Chancellor Nasser Paydar presented the proposal to the commission. “This is another significant sign of growth for IU East. We are growing in order to enhance the intellectual and economic vitality of east central Indiana and west central Ohio, and we are committed to fulfilling our mission to provide the highest quality baccalaureate and master’s degree programs.”

The graduate program will enroll approximately 35 for its inaugural class which will begin for fall 2008. 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. IU East currently offers the Bachelor of Social Work.

The move to offer the program is part of IU East’s initiative to grow the baccalaureate and master’s degree options in order to meet the needs of the region.

The Master of Social Work will be the second graduate degree program IU East has implemented at the Richmond campus. 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.

“This program will provide the graduate level course of study needed for those students who would like to expand their career options into social work, as well as for the continued development of those already in the social work field,” said Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards.

The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved the master’s program in January 2008.

For more information on the Master of Social Work degree, contact Ed FitzGerald, program director and assistant professor of social work, at (765) 973-8222.