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Online
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Courses
32
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Find Your Way Forward

Bachelor's in Social Work

A life of service in a career dedicated to helping people and communities navigate problems. Does that sound like your calling?

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students to help people in a variety of settings, from schools to hospitals and more. When youth and adults find themselves in life’s most difficult situations, social workers are there to help people cope and find real solutions. Social workers often represent marginalized populations, advocate for justice, and help create better policies and practices to serve individuals and communities.

Social Work Specializations

The BSW at Indiana Wesleyan University is a fully online bachelor completion program that prepares you for state licensure. You can also choose to continue your education at IWU after completion in the Master of Social Work program.

Why study Social Work at IWU?

  • Weekly field placement gives you flexible hands-on experience
  • Six-week courses taken one at a time
  • Faith-based curriculum

Program Mission

The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for social work practice through the teaching of the knowledge, values, and skills that equip them to be change agents advocating for the dignity and worth of all people and respect for human diversity. The Social Work program develops world changers by instructing students to utilize scientific inquiry, to integrate worldview, faith, and learning into active service that promotes social justice and growth for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.

Virtual Classroom

The virtual classroom is the online version of the on campus Social Work program and is tailored to meet the unique needs/experiences of working adults. It brings IWU’s Christian mission and vision, as well as an accredited Social Work program, to everyone. Students receive individual attention from instructors, interact with other students, and are part of the IWU community of learners. Through the use of various media, students are able to learn from real world Social Work scenarios and case studies from instructors who combine academic credentials with professional expertise.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Tuition & Aid

70 Credit Hours

...

$449/ Credit Hour

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial AidTuition Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
What You'll Study

  • Be a culturally-competent social worker ready for entry-level practice
  • Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
  • Assess and advocate for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Engage in research, practice, and policy

...
After Graduation
Potential Careers

  • Social worker, case worker, or residential counselor
  • Case manager
  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
  • Proof of standard high school diploma or GED certification.
  • Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • A maximum of 40 hours of credit may be earned through the assessed learning process. (The Social Work Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.)
  • Prior completion of at least 45 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
  • During the Introduction to Social Work course an Application to the Social Work Program is introduced. The application is completed in the second social work major course and an interview is completed with the Director of the BSW Program. This is followed by a formal letter of acceptance to the program.
Admission to Field Placement Internships

After all major coursework is completed each student is required to complete a Field Placement or internship in a social service agency. This placement site is arranged by the Director of Field Education in collaboration with each student, aiming to align with the student’s professional goals and development needs. As such, each student will complete a Social Work Field Placement Application along with an updated resume and personal statement. Students will submit their field placement application to the Director of Field Education. The field placement options are discussed and a tentative plan is created for Field Placement based on the student's interest and needs.

  • Completion of 120 semester hours.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Completion of all major courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.
  • Completion of a total of 400 supervised hours of field experience.
  • Completion of 30 hours of general education as specified.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
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Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Our program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for over 25 years; www.cswe.org, 703-683-8080.
Take the Next Step

Ready to jumpstart your career? Apply now! Or, if you have any questions about the program, contact us via the Request Info button.

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