Indiana Wesleyan University Social Work Degrees
Indiana Wesleyan University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) offers undergraduate and graduate programs for students wishing to begin a career in social services as a provider with individuals and families or as an organizational leader working to implement policy and create positive social change.
The undergraduate social work major is offered through IWU's Department of Behavioral Sciences and is a 64-credit-hour major that may be completed in four years. Core classes include Social Welfare Organization, Social Policy, Intergroup Relations, and State and Local Government and Politics. In addition to the classroom work, students will receive real-world experience through internships and field placements meant to solidify concepts by applying them to client and organizational situations. While Social Work cannot be completed as an undergraduate minor, students interested in the field may complete the Sociology minor which includes related coursework such as Social Problems, Cultural Anthropology, Criminology, and Working with Children. The Bachelor's in Social Work degree may be completed online through IWU's Virtual Classroom.
IWU offers on online Master's in Social Work (MSW) degree for students who have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. The mission of the program is to prepare graduates to engage as social work professionals who have excellent clinical skills and an ability to change the world for the better while integrating their personal faith if they desire to do so. Learning outcomes include professionalism in oral and written communication, cultural competency, an ethical use of technology, and assessment of feedback from supervisors. Coursework teaches competencies related to working with families, individuals, and groups. In addition to the core and elective course materials, students must complete 500-900 hours of field practicum to graduate from the advanced standing or standard tracks of the program. Field placements provide valuable experiential learning for candidates and begin four months after the start of the program. These internships continue throughout the course of the degree under the supervision of university field placement staff.
About Indiana Wesleyan University
IWU is a private, non-profit, liberal arts university in Marion, Indiana. The largest private university in Indiana with an enrollment of over 15,000 students, IWU maintains a close relationship with the Wesleyan Church. The university was founded as Marion Normal College in 1890 and was briefly relocated in Muncie before returning to Marion as a teacher's college in 1920. At this time, the school became affiliated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church who raised the funds to reopen it and to integrate it with their Fairmont Bible School. Throughout the 20th century, bachelor's programs continued to grow and diversify while master's degrees were introduced in 1979. In 1988, the name of the school was changed to Indiana Wesleyan University to reflect its university status and church affiliation. While IWU maintains a relationship with the Wesleyan Church, the university welcomes students from any faith background.
IWU offers degrees out of its five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Adult and Professional Studies, the Graduate School, the School of Nursing, and Wesley Seminary. The university is notable for its large offering of programs for working adults and non-traditional students, one of the largest of its kind among private schools in the Midwest. IWU is known for its beautiful campus which has rapidly expanded since the 1990s to include new residence halls, a new chapel and event space, and adult studies centers throughout the Midwest. Currently, a multi-million-dollar football stadium project is in process. When completed, it will house IWU's NAIA sport's teams, the Wildcats.
Indiana Wesleyan University Accreditation Details
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. IWU was first accredited in 1966 and most recently reaffirmed its accreditation in 2011. It is scheduled for reaffirmation in 2020. The undergraduate and graduate social work degrees, including ones conferred through online learning programs, are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The programs have maintained this respected accreditation for over 25 years.
Indiana Wesleyan Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants to IWU must submit an online application which may be completed through creating a profile on IWU's admissions website. There is a $25 application fee which may be submitted online. Once the application is completed, students should submit official high school transcripts and scores from the ACT or SAT tests. In general, IWU requires at least a 2.6 GPA and an 880 Verbal and Math SAT score or an 18 ACT composite score. However, the university considers applicants on a broad range of factors including extracurricular activities and leadership roles. Once applicants are accepted, they may apply for housing and register for classes.
Applicants for a graduate degree at IWU must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Candidates must submit an online application and have their transcripts sent to the university. There is no application fee required for graduate admissions. To be accepted to the standard track, applicants must hold a GPA of 2.7 or higher throughout their undergraduate education. Advanced standing applicants must hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition to the application and transcripts, social work applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a statement outlining their reasons for choosing the program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of one year in the undergraduate social work program at IWU is $38,578. This cost includes tuition and fees for 17 credit hours per semester, room and board, and other expenses including textbooks and supplies. The cost is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The online graduate program costs $515 per credit hour and requires 66 credit hours to complete. Additional expenses like prerequisites and living expenses will vary depending on each student's situation.
IWU encourages students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to receive grants and loans from the government. This assistance is need-based and depends upon the income of the student or their family. IWU offers additional help through offering or facilitating financial aid through scholarships, veteran's benefits, and employer reimbursement. Undergraduate academic and competitive scholarships are available.
For more information, visit Indiana Wesleyan University's social work program page.